Rapid Prediction of Configuration Aerodynamics in the ConceptualDesign Phase

Abstract

Conceptual aircraft design is characterised by the requirement to analyse a large number of configurations rapidly and cost effectively. For unusual configurations such as those typified by unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) adequately predicting their aerodynamic characteristics through existing empirical methods is fraught with uncertainty. By utilising rapid and low cost experimental tools such as the water tunnel and subscale flight testing it is proposed that the required aerodynamic characteristics can rapidly be acquired with sufficient fidelity for the conceptual design phase. Furthermore, the initial design predictions can to some extent be validated using flight-derived aerodynamic data from subscale flight testing.

Keywords

• aircraft design
• UAV
• water tunnel
• flight testing