Quasi-3D Aerodynamic Analysis Method for Blended-Wing-Body UAV Configurations

Abstract

The current study presents a low-fidelity, quasi-3D aerodynamic analysis method for Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) configurations. A tactical BWB UAV experimental prototype is used as a reference platform. The method utilizes 2D panel method analyses and theoretical aerodynamic calculations to rapidly compute lift and pitching moment coefficients. The philosophy and the underlying theoretical and semi-empirical equations of the proposed method are extensively described. Corrections related to control surfaces deflection and ground effect are also suggested, so that the BWB pitching stability and trimming calculations can be supported. The method is validated against low-fidelity 3D aerodynamic analysis methods and high-fidelity, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results for various BWB configurations. The validation procedures show that the proposed method is considerably more accurate than existing low-fidelity ones, can provide predictions for both lift and pitching moment coefficients and requires far less computational resources and time when compared to CFD modeling. Hence, it can serve as a valuable aerodynamics and stability analysis tool for BWB UAV configurations.