The Effects of UAV Design Parameters on Its Dynamic Soaring Performance

Abstract

Dynamic soaring is a repeated cycle maneuver in which birds such as albatrosses extract energy from wind shear conditions. Morphing technology is a very effective method to improve the dynamic soaring performance of UAVs. The dynamic soaring characteristics of UAVs can be studied through the changes of the time gradient of the total energy. The albatross inspired UAV is designed based on the dimension scale of the wandering albatross. According to the expression of the time gradient of the total energy, the effects of the wind gradient, airspeed, total mass, wing span and aspect ratio of UAVs on the time gradient of the total energy is studied based on the parameters of the albatross inspired UAV prototype. The analysis results clarify the influence laws of each parameter on the time gradient of the total energy. The conclusions have important guiding significance for the design of UAVs considering dynamic soaring performance.