Hypersonic Bi directional Blended Wing Body UAV Conceptual Development.
2022-26-1137
05/26/2022
- Event
- Content
- This paper looks to develop a conceptual Hypersonic Bi-directional BWB UAV for high efficiency hypersonic systems.This concept successfully allows for many technical challenges involved in supersonic flight which are also present in hypersonic flight to be overcome; however some of these challenges become even greater, in addition to the new phenomena present at hypersonic speeds.The bi-directional BWB UAV concept consists of a symmetric planform which enables flight to occur at two different geometric configurations. The subsonic configuration would have a high aspect ratio and a low sweep and in the hypersonic configuration the UAV would then rotate 90 degrees which would have a low aspect ratio and high sweep. This design overcomes the inherent conflict between subsonic and hypersonic flight in conventional hypersonic launch systems.The airfoil of the subsonic configuration is thicker than that for the hypersonic configuration, a thick airfoil is needed to achieve a high lift coefficient which is needed for subsonic flight. The subsonic configuration would allow the UAV to have efficient flight at subsonic speeds which is necessary for take-off and landing. This configuration enables the UAV to use conventional runways for take-off and landing. This design is found to have high aerodynamic efficiency at both hypersonic and subsonic speeds allowing the UAV to be operated on conventional runways in the subsonic mode extending its applications to civil transportation apart from military applications. Previous research is directed towards conceptual development of supersonic Bi-directional flying wing aircraft. This paper examines the unique challenges of hypersonic flight, Scramjet engines, and the use of advanced high temperature materials coupled with the challenges of designing a BWB UAV.
- Citation
- Fernandes, S., "Hypersonic Bi directional Blended Wing Body UAV Conceptual Development.," SAE Technical Paper 2022-26-1137, 2022, .