EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE AERODYNAMICS OF LIFTING SURFACES NEAR THE GROUND EFFECT

An experimental approach is proposed in this article to study the aerodynamic performance of lifting systems operating near a ground surface, which is especially important in the context of designing air vehicles utilizing dynamic support principles. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology for conducting physical experiments aimed at investigating the aerodynamic characteristics of lifting systems near an underlying surface, as well as to experimentally determine the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing profile operating in close proximity to the ground. The results obtained serve as a foundation for the verification of mathematical models and computational methods used to simulate the flow around a wing profile flying near the ground. The development of advanced high-speed transportation vehicles requires the optimization of their aerodynamic performance. A conventional experimental approach for determining the aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft components is wind tunnel testing using scaled models. The experimental results form the basis for further modeling of the aerodynamic interaction between the lifting surface and the ground, which is a critical aspect in calculating the forces and moments acting on ground-effect vehicles or similar small-scale systems operating at low altitudes.