A Multi-Fidelity Approach for Aerodynamic Performance Computations of Formation Flight

Abstract

This paper introduces a multi-fidelity computational framework for the analysis of aerodynamic performance of flight formation. The Vortex Lattice and Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes methods form the basis of the framework, as low-and high-fidelity, respectively. Initially, the computational framework is validated for an isolated wing, and then two rectangular NACA23012 wings are considered for assessing the aerodynamic performance of this formation; the optimal relative position is through the multi-fidelity framework based on the total drag reduction. The performance estimates are in good agreement with experimental measurements of the same configuration. Total aerodynamic performance of formation flight is also assessed with respect to attitude variations of the lifting bodies involved. The framework is also employed to determine the optimal position of blended-wing-body unmanned aerial vehicles in tandem formation flight.

Exploring Multi-Fidelity Data in Materials Science: Challenges, Applications, and Optimized Learning Strategies

“…CFD methodology [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] citations (52,19,12,40,3,6,5,20) CFD tool [33] citations (16) CFD and experiment [34] citations (14) multicopter dynamics and experiment [35] citations (35) Different hyperparameters mesh size [36][37][38] citations (1,60,55)…”

“…In addition to different algorithm applications in materials science and aerospace science, different computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodologies or different CFD tools (Q3D and MATRICS-V [33]) are commonly used to obtain MF data. Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method is commonly used to obtain HF data [30][31][32], and the potential flow model to obtain LF data [26,29]. In reference [25], RANS is used to obtain LF data, while large-eddy simulations are used to obtain HF data.…”

Lateral-Directional Aerodynamic Optimization of a Tandem Wing UAV Using CFD Analyses

“…Insights in a vast number of available references such as [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] support the decision of the authors of this paper to finally adopt the tandem wing (TW) configuration for the new UAV. Namely, in the case of classical concepts, the horizontal tail most often generates negative lift in order to provide proper trim in cruising flight.…”

Aerodynamic Interactions in Formation Flight for Wake Vortex Surfing

“…As trailing aircraft is the beneficiary, its position in the formation must be determined and maintained during the vortex surfing phase to maximize the gains. Other than the flight test, several numerical simulations research [25][26][27][28] have been conducted over the last few decades to investigate the trailing aircraft position and its aerodynamics implications on vortex surfing. With the available data from SAVE program, Halaas et al [25] used Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) for the C-17 formation simulation, with consideration on the trim condition of following aircraft.…”

“…The authors have validated the RANS simulation estimated mean values result against the actual flight test data with 95% confidence on the wake dynamics. Singh et al [26] used a multi-fidelity CFD simulation on blended-wing-body UAVs in close tandem formation flight. The authors found that both the Vortex Lattice Method (VLM) and RANS turbulence models predict the same location of minimum drag and maximum lift, but RANS is more accurate in the lift and drag calculation, with a smaller deviation from the experimental results.…”