Vortical Flow Prediction Validation for an Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Model

Abstract

As part of the NATO Applied Vehicle Technology 161 technical group, a study of the aerodynamic behavior of the stability and control configuration wind-tunnel model is presented. Sharp and round leading-edge versions of the model are computed. A validation of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes predictions obtained using two block structured codes are made. Static cases are analyzed and compared with wind-tunnel measurements. The vortical flow features are described in detail for a range of angles of attack. The predictions are in good agreement with the experiments at low angles of attack, whereas for higher angles of incidence (alpha > 15), some discrepancies are seen. A dual vortex structure is present in this region for both leading-edge configurations, resulting in highly nonlinear aerodynamic behavior.