Enhancing aerodynamics performance: A redesign approach for the forward-swept fixed-wing UAV

The aerodynamic design plays a crucial role in vehicle performance and energy consumption. This study undertakes significant modifications to enhance the performance of the forward-swept fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), particularly focusing on achieving higher lift/drag ratios. These modifications include implementing a backward-swept (normal) fixed-wing design. A simulation model using the vortex lattice method (VLM) by OPENVSP is conducted to determine forces and aerodynamic characteristics at 0 to 30-degree angles of attack. The accuracy of the model is verified against numerical and experimental data. The findings indicate that the UAV’s aerodynamic performance is enhanced by approximately 20% with the backward (normal) fixed-wing design compared to the existing model, which utilized a forward-swept fixed-wing on the UAV.