Off-Board Aerodynamic Measurements of Small UAVs
Measuring the aerodynamics and stability characteristics of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAVs) operating at low Reynolds numbers is a challenge. Conventional measurement methods can be impractical and costly due to the vehicle's size and the considerably low forces and moments involved. To overcome these limitations, the current research aims at utilizing motion tracking systems to characterize the aerodynamics and stability of sUAVs in glide and powered flight. Research thus far has successfully developed methods to track aircraft position along with individual control surface deflections to evaluate the aerodynamic forces and moments along with linear and dynamic stability derivatives for sUAVs executing various maneuvers.
Publications:
- Ouhabi, M. E. M. and Narsipur, S. (2025) "Off-Board Aerodynamic Measurements of Small-UAVs in Glide Flight Using Motion Tracking," The Aeronautical Journal, Published online. | doi: 10.1017/aer.2024.131
- Ouhabi, M. E. M. and Narsipur, S. (2024) "Off-Board Aerodynamic Measurements of Small-UAVs in Powered Level Flight Using Motion Tracking," Proc. of the 2024 AIAA Aviation Forum, AIAA Paper 2024-3761. | doi: 10.2514/6.2024-3761
- Ouhabi, M. E. M. and Narsipur, S. (2024) "Characterizing Aircraft Aerodynamics and Stability Using Motion Capture Data," U.S. Provisional Patent 63/675,691, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Ouhabi, M. E. M., Narsipur, S., and Kim, J. (2023) "Off-Board Aerodynamic Measurements of Small-UAVs in Glide Flight Using Motion Tracking," Proc. of the 2023 AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA Paper 2023-0813. | doi: 10.2514/6.2023-0813
Funding Support:
