UAV Aerodynamic Model Assessment Using Flight Testing, Sonic Anemometry and CFD

This study examines the validity of a computational model for an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle by means of measurements collected with an airborne sonic anemometer and a Pitot-static probe. OpenFOAM was used to simulate the airflow interactions and the velocity field at the points where the sensors are located. A comparison of numerical and experimental data reveals a similar trend, indicating that the measurements collected by the sonic anemometer and Pitot‑static probe are comparable to those from the numerical simulation. These results indicate that the computational model of the UAV is suitable for enhancing the understanding of its aerodynamic characteristics.