Aerodynamic Analysis of Wing-in-Ground (WIG) Effect Vehicle: Wing Profile and Orientation

Abstract

Wing-In-Ground (WIG) Effect Vehicle can be differentiated into manned and unmanned aerial vehicle. These aircraft are designed in aerodynamic shapes to enables them to glide at low altitude above the sea surface. Proper design of wings and stabilizer is crucial to provide effective lifting force with minimum total body weight. A study was conducted to determine the orientation and shape of the wing and stabilizer for a new WIG Effect vehicle prototype. Three-dimensional modeling and air flow analysis were carried out to analyze the lifting force generated under the provided body construction materials and total gross weight. In this study, two wing designs and wing orientations were studied since the WIG Effect vehicle is not equipped with wing aileron or wing flap. The first design is called as original design which suggested by industrial fabricator and the second design is called as modified design suggested from this study for design improvement. The modified wing exhibited the largest lifting force, which applied the Bernoulli’s Principle in the design. Modified wing at 20° angle of attack has been selected as the best orientation of wing.