The sub-system’s pivot points are:
Aerodynamics Design & Optimization:
The sub-system aims to develop the best UAV possible. The UAV’s basic component types are selected, such as wing and empennage and then their dimensions are calculated. A dynamic process of the initial sizing change is made, in order to achieve reduced total drag and the needed static stability.
Aerodynamic Analysis:
Before the construction stage, it is crucial to predict the flight behavior of the completed design of the UAV. Thus, the sub-system uses low-fidelity (e.g. XFLR5) and high-fidelity tools (CFD), based on the stage of the design process, to predict and simulate, respectively, the flow of the wind and the lift and drag force distributions.
Stability Analysis:
Aerodynamicists predict the dynamic behavior of the UAV. In particular, the sizing of the control surfaces is done and the simulation of the behavior of the UAV on crosswinds during flying.
Propulsion:
Through the propulsion system study, the sub-system analyzes the requirements of the flight segments, in order to predict the required power for the propeller and to select the motorengine, the propeller and the battery for the required UAV’s thrust.
Performance Assessment:
In every stage of the design process, Aerodynamics Design operates a dynamic process to calculate the mission parameters (e.g. take off distance). This process is the reversed that has been made in the first place, during the initial sizing, and validates if the developed airvehicle is able to achieve its mission.
Learn more about this sub-system: