Aerodynamic Analysis of Delta Wing Aircraft and Effect of the Propeller Using OpenFOAM

This paper presents a calculation of the aerodynamic characteristics of the ZOHD Alpha Strike UAV model, designed with a delta wing. The focus of the study is the overall layout of the aircraft and the influence of the propeller on its aerodynamic characteristics. The computational fluid dynamics tool OpenFOAM is used as an effective method to solve the complex aerodynamic problems inherent in this UAV model. Research is carried out in an incompressible flow, due to the low speeds inherent in such aircraft. A numerical methodology is proposed for quick evaluation of the aerodynamic performances of UAV models with a propeller. A simple dynamic model and flight data are presented. The calculation results are verified using a flight experiment.