The Design, Analysis and Fabrication of a Blended Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

This paper presents a methodology for the design, analysis, and fabrication of a Blended Wing Body (BWB) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and stability. Design parameters are derived from mission requirements, and the geometric model is created using OpenVSP. Aerodynamic analysis, conducted with the midfidelity surface-vorticity flow solver FlightStream, evaluates lift, drag, and stability derivatives. Three configurations—a straight wing without winglets, a twisted wing without winglets, and a twisted wing with winglets are assessed for aerodynamic efficiency, with the optimal design selected. Dynamic modeling evaluates the UAV's response to disturbances, demonstrating its longitudinal and lateral stability. The UAV is fabricated using advanced 3D printing with lightweight PLA (Polylactic acid), ensuring precise construction and minimal weight. Postfabrication assembly prepares the UAV for flight testing, validating its predicted performance and stability. Preliminary results confirm the effectiveness of OpenVSP and FlightStream in simulating and analyzing aerodynamic characteristics, enabling the selection of the most feasible configuration. Insights into dynamic stability highlight the chosen design's robustness under varying conditions. This study demonstrates the practical application of mid-fidelity simulation tools and resource-efficient fabrication methods, emphasizing their role in optimizing UAV performance, stability, and aerodynamic efficiency.