Applied Aerodynamics Research Group (AARG)
Aerodynamics of Battle Damage to Lightweight UAV Structures
The objectives are to:
- Understand and quantify the aerodynamic effects of battle damage to lightweight UAV (Unihabited Air Vehicle) structures.
- Develop a methodology that will allow the aerodynamic influence of battle damage to a full size lightweight UAV wing structure to be assessed.
- Apply the methodology to a full size lightweight UAV wing.
To date the project has determined the aerodynamic characteristics of simulated gunfire damage to a two dimensional wing for a range of damage sizes and locations. The image shows surface flow visualisation on on the suction surface of the aerofoil. The hole diameter is 20% of the chord and the entry hole on the pressure surface is offset from the suction surface exit hole. Freestream flow is from the bottom of the image. The image shows the effects of a strong jet emerging from the hole.
- Funding body
- Supported by BAESystems as part of their contribution to a European project called BaToLUS (Battle Damage Tolerance to Lightweight UAV Structures)
- Project duration
- 3 years
- Project team (researchers)
- Thomas Pickhaver and Dr Peter Render
- Industrial collaborators
- BAESystems
- Contact
- Dr Peter Render
Project outputs / results
- To date, various Department working papers have been produced.