Performance and flight dynamics characteristics of a variable sweep wing aircraft

• Main Author: Chong, Zi Wei.
• Other Authors: Go Tiauw Hiong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Aerodynamics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16971
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The variable sweep morphing technology integrated on the newly designed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is investigated in terms of its effects on the performance characteristics, stability as well as the maneuverability. These different morphing stages are basically analyzed by four different discrete stages with wing quarter sweep angle of 5, 20, 35 and 50 degrees respectively. The parameters of the wings that are altered across these different morphing stages are wing root chord, tip chord and aspect ratio. On top of that, the effects of four different altitudes and cruise speeds are also highlighted for the optimal performance and stability achievable by the UAV. Many different performance characteristics such as stall and maximum speed, range, endurance, level turn rate as well as turn radius, rate of climb and etc. which are believed to be important for various missions are investigated and discussed. In addition, the effectiveness of the elevators, ailerons and rudder controls for the longitudinal and lateral stability are also investigated at different sweep angles, altitudes and cruise speeds. Also, the dynamic stability of the UAV at these different sweep angles, altitudes as well as cruise speeds which can be characterized by the longitudinal and lateral motions are discussed. Implementation of control system such as yaw damper on UAV to further enhance the Dutch roll stability is also presented in this project. With all these performances and stability characteristics identified, the applications of this variable sweep morphing technology on the UAV in different missions are investigated as well. Last but not least, the future work that can be carried out for better understanding and applications for this type of morphing technology is discussed.