The investigation on aerodynamic performance of the X-wing tail-sitter VTOL MAV

A novel tail-sitter vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) micro air vehicle (MAV) with two parts wing composing X-shape is proposed using the modified design method, named X-NMRL MAV. The wind tunnel experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are unfolded on the full-scale model, and comparison reveals that CFD results with Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model are in good agreement with experimental results in terms of lift and pitching moment, and they take the same development on drag. The deflections of control surfaces for different motions are investigated in detail. With all the control surfaces deflection in required direction, more efficiency control achieves, especially for yawing motion. The side force takes dominant position in yawing moment produce, other than drag. The more the degree of control surfaces in one side deflecting to opposite side increases, the more yawing moment produces.