Aerodynamic performance of a low-Reynolds UAV with leading-edge protuberances inspired by humpback whale flippers

Abstract

The aerodynamic forces and flowfield on a delta-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with specific airfoil are studied here. The leading-edge protuberances inspired from the flippers of the humpback whale is introduced in present work to watch its effect on stall delaying and drag reduction. Two installing factors, which are amplitude and wavelength of the protuberances, are considered to study the interaction of leading-edge variation and de-tached vortex. Three changes in both amplitude and wavelength are investigated herein. Generally, the modified models have larger stall angle of attack than that of the baseline model; the difference exists in the attainable lift coefficient and drag reduction.