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The Samarai µUAV is a biologically-inspired monocopter, similar in its flight characteristics to the maple seed. It is essentially a single, asymmetric helicopter blade, powered by a tip propeller. High-fidelity simulation of such a vehicle is challenging, but of great importance to efficient design. A multi-scale simulation methodology is presented, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based predictions of the aerodynamic behavior, coupled to the more CPU-efficient blade element and free-wake vortex ring models. The resulting simulation is suitable for engineering analysis and design of monocopters, but nevertheless captures the relevant physical phenomena at low Reynolds number flight regime.

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