Flapping Wing Aerodynamics and Control for Maneuverable Hovering Micro Air Vehicles

This STTR Phase I project proposes to use a Large Eddy Simulation (LES)-based computational tool to quantitatively identify the relationship between wing kinematics, flowfield behavior and aeroloads for the proposed tractor design of flapping-wing propelled Micro Air Vehicle with preliminary experimental validation. Both hovering and cruise flight modes will be considered. As a result, the feasibility of the selected LES-based computational tool for simulation of flapping-wing aerodynamics will be demonstrated. The identified relationship between wing kinematics and aeroloads can provide guidance for refining the design of the proposed flapping-wing propelled MAV in Phase II. A flight demonstration of a radio-controlled hovering tractor model will also be performed.