The Study on Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Novel MAV Layout

In this paper, a study concerning the longitudinal aerodynamics of a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) with novel layout is presented using both numerical simulations and experimental techniques. Numerical simulations are performed under the identical conditions of low Reynolds number about 10⁶ and low aspect ratio about 2.5 and comparisons are made with the experimental wind tunnel measurements to verify the validity. Overall, experimental and numerical data match well for lift and pitching moment before the stall angle, and the same trend is presented for drag. Additional study of wing-tip flow and included angle flow between two semi-wings are illustrated in some sections. The lower semi-wing has much effect on the upper one in many aerodynamic performances. Compared with the typical MAVs, it has lower wing loading, higher payload, and better stability, so it is suitable to be multitasking MAV.