Structural Design Optimization for Unmanned Aircraft Propeller Blades Using the Multi-Objective Colonial Competitive Algorithm

The rapid evolution of unmanned technology demands the development of optimized propeller designs that can accommodate a wide range of flight conditions and mission requirements.This article suggests a multi-objective optimization framework for unmanned aircraft during the cruising phase, based on the Multi-Objective Colonial Competitive Method (MOCM).This paper focuses on the maximum thrust-to-weight ratio at hover (T-WHmax) as one of its objective functions, which is associated with the ability to resist wind and maneuver effectively during takeoff and landing.The total energy consumption is the second objective function.Using the suggested framework for the Airbus Vahana unmanned aircraft, the structure of the propeller blade (PB) is optimized and verified through computational fluid dynamics (CFD).A detailed analysis is conducted on the effects of the hover disk loading and cruising speed on the optimization outcome.The findings indicate that T-WHmax greatly influences the outcome of optimization.A comparison with literature results proves the benefits of the optimal PB design in both saving energy and improving takeoff maneuverability.In general, the method and guidelines outlined in this paper endorse the structural optimization of PB design for unmanned aircraft.