Purpose Conceptual and preliminary aircraft concepts are getting mature earlier in the design process, than ever before. To achieve that advanced level of maturity, multiple multidisciplinary analyses have to be done, often with usage of numerical optimization algorithms. This calls for right tools that can handle such a demanding task. Often the toughest part of a modern design is handling an aircraft’s computational models used for different analysis. Transferring geometry and loads from one program to another, or modifying internal structure, takes time and is not productive. Authors defined the concept of a common computational model (CCM), which couples programs from different aerospace scientific disciplines. Data exchange between the software components is compatible, and multidisciplinary analysis can be automated to high degree, including numerical optimization. Design/methodology/approach The panel method was applied to aerodynamic analysis and was coupled with open-source FEM code within one computational process. Findings The numerical results proved the effectiveness of developed methodology. Practical implications Developed software can be used within the design process of a new aircraft. Originality/value This paper presents an original approach for advanced numerical analysis, as well as for multidisciplinary optimization of an aircraft. The presented results show possible applications.
Purpose -This study seeks to present the initial requirements for medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV design of an increased reliability. Design/methodology/approach -Shows and describes the successive design phases of PW-103 MALE UAV. Findings -The analysis of the performances of the PW-103 UAV, powered by either a main or an auxiliary engine, demonstrated that auxiliary power unit improved flight safety significantly. Originality/value -Successive MALE UAV configurations developed in the design process were aerodynamically more efficient than their predecessors.
Nowadays, optimization is a very popular tool used to improve existing projects. The optimization covers different disciplines by linking them into multidisciplinary process of design. Existing software tools allow to very effectively solve particular problems giving high quality solutions which were previously very hard to achieve. Aeronautical engineering is a domain/field which links many disciplines: aerodynamics, stability, control, structural analysis, materials, propulsion systems, avionics, etc. Therefore, the multidisciplinary optimization results in very significant progress not only in aircraft design but also in air transport, which links technical aspects with economical questions. The paper presents selected aspects of using the multidisciplinary optimization in aeronautical engineering with special focus on multidisciplinary aircraft design.
PurposeTo provide an effective numerical method for analysis and design of aerodynamic characteristics of unmanned aerial vehicles basing on commercial package VSAERO.Design/methodology/approachCalculation was made by VSAERO package, which is based on a classical panel method enhanced on boundary layer method. Paper explains how to use efficiently VSAERO package, which utilizes advanced CAD techniques, in modern designing of unmanned aircraft.FindingsDuring aerodynamic analysis of unmanned aircraft the computing cycle is repeated many times until the required accuracy is obtained and when the best performance of an aircraft is achieved. Design process depends on the number of iterations. If the preliminary configuration (the so‐called starting design point) is well selected and the aerodynamic analysis is completed in a relatively short time, then the overall design time will be shortened.Research limitations/implicationsThe panel method is very useful tool in spite of different limitations. For example, the Reynolds number has to be sufficiently high, angles of attack and sideslip have to be small enough. Computational process is relatively fast and the accuracy depends on the geometry representation. The boundary layer included into the computational model improves the accuracy of aerodynamic calculations. This methodology is limited to subsonic and low transonic speeds.Practical implicationsA very useful source of computational information and patterns to follow, especially for engineering students and engineers dealing with aerodynamic of unmanned aviation. Surface panel geometry can be transferred from UNIGRAPHICS via IGES files or can be generated from scratch using SPING or PEP software.Originality/valueThis paper offers a practical help for designers planning to develop a new unmanned platform. VSAERO package appeared to be a very useful tool for aerodynamic calculation in the full cycle design activity. This software utilizes the panel method enhanced on a boundary layer model for determination of the fundamental aerodynamic characteristic of an arbitrary aircraft. Presented paper shows a very efficient way how to compute the aerodynamics necessary for design of a new MALE class UAV.
The history of UAVs is relatively long and many such vehicles are in service for different tasks. They can be used even in environments inhospitable for humans, e.g. because of extreme temperature. Moreover, they can perform a task that is difficult or impossible for a manned aircraft because of its size and usually relatively high airspeed. The photogrammetric tasks belong to this group, especially if we need to take high-resolution pictures during low level flight. The advantages of a small UAV for such mission are more evident if we want to investigate the natural environment, where the wild animals are. The paper presents the small UAV designed for a special task, which is counting of the penguins in Antarctica. Inhabited area, extreme weather conditions, the fearfulness of penguins and the goal of the mission put up certain requirements for the UAV. It had to be a reliable, stable platform, which is able to carry photogrammetric equipment and to perform precise flight to cover all investigated areas. The presented UAV was used on such missions in Antarctica in 2014 and 2015. All mentioned tasks were successfully accomplished.
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