Enhancing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Performance: A Comprehensive Review of Aerodynamic Improvement Techniques at Low Reynolds Numbers

Abstract

The increasingly prominent function of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across fields ranging from logistics and surveillance to farming and research calls for ongoing innovation in their flight efficiency. This study probes the effect of making strategic alterations in the designs of UAVs’ wings, including the implementation of dogtooth shapes, on such key aerodynamic factors as lift, drag, and stalling behavior. This work concentrates on the range of the Reynolds number of 600,000 and lower. With the noted applications in mind, the research examines aerodynamic optimization strategies within the regime of the low Reynolds number. Additionally, the research examines the key function of control surfaces in maintaining the stability and controllability of UAVs across different flying conditions. The said control surfaces complement the optimized wing design in controlling flight with utmost precision, thus enabling safe and efficient flight. Through examination of the interaction between wing design adjustments and control surfaces, this work seeks to provide useful insight for UAV designers. The research findings have the potential for leading the way in the design of next-generation UAVs with outstanding aerodynamic functionality, thus performing a greater array of operations with greater effectiveness.