The development of a cloud system for investigation of UAVs aerodynamic characteristics

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the development of a cloud system for multi-parameter aerodynamic calculations of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The developed cloud system consists of the following functional parts: web client – provides an access to the computing cloud, allows interactively preparing a task, sending prepared data to a computing cluster, getting and visualizing calculation results; and computing cloud – provides communication with the web client using an open API and manages the computing process. The computing process of the cloud is based on using open technologies of the OpenFOAM software adapted for solving aerodynamics problems. The authors carried out parametric studies of the external flow of UAV at free-stream velocities of 20, 25, 30 m/s with angles of attack from –4 to 12 degrees. It was found that the smallest drag force is observed for 0-3 degrees of the angle of attack of the flying wing, and the best lift to drag ratio is detected for 5 degrees attack angle. For 5 degrees attack angle the lift force is 47 N for an air free-stream velocity 20 m/s, 74 N – 25 m/s, 106 N – 30 m/s.