Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAV

This paper establishes an analytical model for component mass, takeoff weight, and performance constraints of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) propeller-driven short takeoff and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and develops a conceptual design method considering propulsive/aerodyn...

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Main Authors: Xin Zhao, Zhou Zhou, Kelei Wang, Han Wang, Xu Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Drones
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/363
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author Xin Zhao
Zhou Zhou
Kelei Wang
Han Wang
Xu Li
author_facet Xin Zhao
Zhou Zhou
Kelei Wang
Han Wang
Xu Li
author_sort Xin Zhao
collection DOAJ
description This paper establishes an analytical model for component mass, takeoff weight, and performance constraints of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) propeller-driven short takeoff and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and develops a conceptual design method considering propulsive/aerodynamic coupling effects. The proposed approach was applied to design a 350 kilogram-class DEP UAV with STOL capability, verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of the design method. To investigate the layout design and propulsive/aerodynamic coupling characteristics of DEP UAV, three UAV configurations with different DEP arrangements are formulated and studied, and the results indicate that the flap deflection significantly increases the lift coefficient of the UAV during takeoff, and under the same total thrust and power conditions, the lift-enhancement using DEP arrangement is more significant. In addition, it is necessary to fully consider the propulsive/aerodynamic coupling effects in the conceptual design process, and this is of great significance for the future development of DEP STOL UAV.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2504-446X
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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record_format Article
series Drones
spelling doaj-art-6e0f7cdac6094e2a8a199e0c0c1928cd2025-08-20T01:56:16ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-05-019536310.3390/drones9050363Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAVXin Zhao0Zhou Zhou1Kelei Wang2Han Wang3Xu Li4School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, ChinaThis paper establishes an analytical model for component mass, takeoff weight, and performance constraints of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) propeller-driven short takeoff and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and develops a conceptual design method considering propulsive/aerodynamic coupling effects. The proposed approach was applied to design a 350 kilogram-class DEP UAV with STOL capability, verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of the design method. To investigate the layout design and propulsive/aerodynamic coupling characteristics of DEP UAV, three UAV configurations with different DEP arrangements are formulated and studied, and the results indicate that the flap deflection significantly increases the lift coefficient of the UAV during takeoff, and under the same total thrust and power conditions, the lift-enhancement using DEP arrangement is more significant. In addition, it is necessary to fully consider the propulsive/aerodynamic coupling effects in the conceptual design process, and this is of great significance for the future development of DEP STOL UAV.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/363distributed electric propulsion (DEP)short takeoff and landing (STOL)propulsive/aerodynamic coupling effectsconceptual design methodlift-enhancement
spellingShingle Xin Zhao
Zhou Zhou
Kelei Wang
Han Wang
Xu Li
Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAV
Drones
distributed electric propulsion (DEP)
short takeoff and landing (STOL)
propulsive/aerodynamic coupling effects
conceptual design method
lift-enhancement
title Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAV
title_full Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAV
title_fullStr Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAV
title_full_unstemmed Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAV
title_short Research on Conceptual Design Method and Propulsive/Aerodynamic Coupling Characteristics of DEP STOL UAV
title_sort research on conceptual design method and propulsive aerodynamic coupling characteristics of dep stol uav
topic distributed electric propulsion (DEP)
short takeoff and landing (STOL)
propulsive/aerodynamic coupling effects
conceptual design method
lift-enhancement
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/363
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AT keleiwang researchonconceptualdesignmethodandpropulsiveaerodynamiccouplingcharacteristicsofdepstoluav
AT hanwang researchonconceptualdesignmethodandpropulsiveaerodynamiccouplingcharacteristicsofdepstoluav
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