Aerodynamic Performance Improvement of UAV by means of Leading-Edge Vortex Generators

Unconventional aircraft configurations allow obtaining better aerodynamic characteristics if intrinsic shortcomings are eliminated. The possible resolution of these shortcomings is presented using an example of a developed unmanned aerial vehicle of three lifting surface configuration featuring a new type of leading-edge vortex generators. This paper describes the effect of leading-edge vortex generators installation on the foreplane and elaborates on shortcoming resolution and gained advantages in aerodynamic characteristics. Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation results of foreplane with leading-edge vortex generators are outlined.