An optimisation of a chordwise slot to enhance lateral flow control on a UCAV

Ali, U; Chadwick, EA; Sugar-Gabor, O

Abstract

This research aims to optimise a chordwise slot so that lateral flow control of a flying wing
configuration can be enhanced. This was achieved by maximising the airflow rate over the trailing edge
control surfaces of the wing. A higher rate of airflow over the trailing edge control surfaces will increase
the operationality of control surfaces, resulting in enhanced lateral control of the air vehicle at medium
to high angles of attack. Four variables describing the chordwise slot are identified for numerical
optimisation. They are: location, width, length, and angle of trajectory of chordwise slot relative to
freestream. The results of the airflow rate for the wing with an optimised chordwise slot are compared
with a baseline clean configuration. The flying wing configuration with a chordwise slot has shown a
higher mass flow rate over the control surfaces of the wing in comparison to the baseline clean
configuration, demonstrating that an optimised chordwise slot can be implemented on a flying wing
configuration as it successfully controls the lateral flow by maximising the flow rate over the trailing
edge control surfaces.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 28, 2022
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jan 10, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 10, 2023
• Journal: INCAS Bulletin
• Print ISSN: 2066-8201
• Electronic ISSN: 2247-4528
• Publisher: National Institute for Aerospace Research “Elie Carafoli”
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 3-17
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.13111/2066-8201.2022.14.4.1
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.13111/2066-8201.2022.14.4.1