Analysis of the Benefits of an Optimized Variable Trailing Edge on UAV Loiter Performance

Vinicius Ayello Deo¹

¹ DCTA

doi:10.20906/CPS/COB-2015-0068

Resumo

A careful analysis of an UAV flight shows a constant limitation on the economic flight regime especially at the loiter phase on intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The maximum endurance flight is limited by the aircraft minimum safety speed, therefore the performance at long typical ISTAR missions, up to 30 hours of flight is compromised. The variable camber wing shows a viable solution to enhance the aircraft's maximum lift coefficient reducing the minimum flight speed limit without major penalty on the drag increase. Through a combined empirical and theoretical analysis, an optimized flap device was designed to enhance the UAV performance at maximum endurance flight by augmenting the wing's maximum lift coefficient with the lowest drag increase possible. An increase of up to 7% on the total flight endurance was estimated at all flight conditions, confirming the benefit of this technology on an UAV design.

Palavras-chave: ISTAR UAV; Variable Camber; Loiter Flight