Title: The aerodynamics of micro air vehicles: technical challenges and scientific issues

Authors: Jean-Marc Moschetta

Addresses: Department Aerodynamics, Energetics and Propulsion, Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace, 10 Avenue Edouard Belin, F-31400 Toulouse, France

Abstract: Micro air vehicles raise numerous design problems associated to the size reduction: lower aerodynamic and propulsion efficiencies, higher sensitivity to atmospheric turbulence, low-density energy of electric propulsion, etc. The paper discusses some of the most important design issues and analyses the aerodynamic challenges encountered in the field of MAVs. A number of novel aerodynamic configurations combining rotors and fixed-wing are proposed and discussed in order to recover efficiency and maneuverability at low speeds.

Keywords: micro air vehicles; MAVs; low-Reynolds aerodynamics; tilt-body; convertible aircraft; propeller-wing interaction; coaxial rotors; efficiency; maneuverability; low speed.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESMS.2014.063122

International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation, 2014 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.134 - 148

Published online: 26 Jul 2014 *

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