03.2 - Experimental Aerodynamics
EVALUATION OF MORPHOUS WING CHARACTERISTICS IN WATER AND WIND TUNNEL IN THE CONTEXT OF UAV OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY
M. Marciniuk¹, M. Szumski², Z. Szczerba², L. Kiszkowiak³, L. Malicki¹, P. Piskur, Polish Naval Academy of the Heroes of Westerplatte, Poland; K. Sibilski, Air Force Institute of Technology, Poland; S. Kachel³; ¹Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland ;²Rzeszow University of Technology, Poland ;³Military University of Technology, Poland
These work evaluates a novel micro-UAV design that utilizes an innovative continuous trailing-edge camber-morphing airfoil, in comparison with the conventional NACA 24012 airfoil. The results show that camber morphing increases lift and delays stall throughout the tested angle of attack (AOA) range, which also introduces the rise in drag. Pitching-moment trends indicate that the baseline airfoil remains statically stable across the useful range of AOA, whereas the cambered configuration maintains static stability up to approximately 20° of AOA. Overall, the implementation of a continuous trailing-edge morphing airfoil to a micro-UAV provides enhanced lift and controllable drag, offering enhancement in landing distance reduction and mitigating damage risk during operations from unprepared terrain.
DOI: 10.71945/icas2026_0789