Comparison Design and Performance Analysis of Aerodynamic Configuration for Swarm Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Rotate-Morphing Wing

This paper has investigated comparison design and performance analysis of aerodynamic configuration for swarm UAVs with a rotate-morphing wing. Firstly, four aerodynamic configurations of swarm UAVs are proposed to be suitable for complex tasks in subsonic and supersonic flight. These configurations employ various fuselages and high or low rotate-morphing wings. Secondly, aerodynamic analysis of four configurations is conducted by a robust numerical method of the modified SST turbulence model. The preferred configuration is gained, which consists of a high wing, X-shaped rudders, and a blunt fuselage of flat upper surface. It has good stability, cruise lift-drag performance, and less disadvantageous flow interference with the rotate-morphing wing and fuselage. Finally, to meet the task requirements of various flight segments, performance analysis is conducted at the rotate-morphing wing sweep angles of 0° and 45° for the preferred configuration. The research shows that the preferred aerodynamic configuration has outstanding aerodynamic performance and to better fit for swarm UAVs than other configurations. Its cruise longitudinal and lateral stability is not less than 10% and it is suitable for subsonic and supersonic flight endurance. It maintains longitudinal and lateral stability with wing sweep angles of 0° and 90° at both subsonic and supersonic while exhibiting lateral-directional asymmetric and flow field at wing sweep angles of 45°, which is needed to deflect the rudders to achieve steady flight. The numerical simulation analysis of different rotate-morphing wing sweep angles is beneficial for aerodynamic performance comprehensive evaluation to meet the swarm UAV needs of different mission stages. These can provide an aerodynamic configuration design and performance analysis idea for swarm UAVs.