Flight Dynamics Principles of Canard Aircraft: Implications for UAV Configuration Decision

Abstract

Marques P, Maligno A, Dierks S and Bachouche A. (2013). Flight dynamics principles of canard aircraft: Implications for UAV configuration decision. International Journal of Unmanned Systems Engineering. 1(2): 12-30. The canard configuration is an appealing alternative to the conventional aft tailplane stabiliser in the design of novel unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) concepts. A canard foreplane increases the maximum lift coefficient and reduces the trim drag of the aircraft, making the canard set up particularly suitable for high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAVs. The inherent flight instability of canard-configured aircraft can be exploited to augment the manoeuvrability of advanced military UAVs at high angles of attack. Canard-wing arrangements result in complex strongly-coupled aerodynamic flow fields that include upwash-downwash effects, vortex-vortex interactions and vortex-surface interactions. This review paper provides a historical overview of the development of the canard aircraft, compares different canard airframes, explores the aerodynamics and aeroelasticity of canard aircraft, assesses longitudinal stability in conventional and canard arrangements, evaluates the aerodynamic efficiency of the tandem wing configuration, and gives examples of canard UAV platform development. The aerodynamic features of the Buraq HALE UAV canard prototype by Tunisia Aero Technologies Industries – UK are outlined. The paper also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the canard configuration that inform the decision process in the development of next-generation UAV configurations. © Marques Aviation Ltd – Press.