MDAO and Aeroelastic Analyses of Small Solar-Powered UAVs with Box-Wing and Tandem-Wing Architectures

The market of solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for defence purposes and drone services is expected to grow by a factor more than 2 in the next decade. From an aircraft design perspective, main challenge scalability proposed architectures, which needed increase payload capabilities. Beside some successful examples wing-tail UAVs, newcomers are developing prototypes with tandem-wing hence enlarging possible design. present paper aims introduce further step this direction, taking also box-wing architecture into account show how presence wing tip joiners can provide benefits from aeroelastic point view. UAVs take-off mass within 25 kg considered tools adopted presented. These in-house developed Multi-Disciplinary Analysis Optimization (MDAO) code called SD2020 open source ASWING, both presented together assessment their accuracy means higher fidelity numerical results. results case small solar optimized achieve longest endurance, focusing on strategy implemented feasible solutions under assigned set constraints. Further comparable aerodynamic standpoints. Whereas advantages introduced marginal, significant result analyses indicate that, if removed configuration, safety margin flutter speed halved bending-torsion divergence occurs at relatively low values.