CFD Analysis of Aerodynamic Characteristics in a Square-Shaped Swarm Formation of Four Quadcopter UAVs
Source abstract
Abstract
The aerodynamic behavior of a square-shaped formation of four quadcopter UAVs flying in a swarm is investigated in detail through three-dimensional computer simulations utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology. The swarm configuration comprises four UAVs positioned with two in the upper row and two in the lower row along the same propeller axes. The flow profile generated by the UAV propellers rotating at 10,000 revolutions per minute is analyzed parametrically using the Multiple Reference Frame (MRF) technique. UAVs within the swarm are positioned at 75 cm from the motion centers of adjacent propellers. This distance, the effects of horizontally and vertically positioned UAVs on each other, and the collective behavior of the swarm are thoroughly examined. Pressure, velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy values are meticulously analyzed. This research represents a milestone in understanding the aerodynamic characteristics of UAV swarms and the optimization of swarm performance. The findings highlight effective factors in swarm flights and their consequences for UAVs. Additionally, the article describes the “near-UAV phenomenon”. Furthermore, the methodology developed for CFD simulations provides an approach to analyzing close flight scenarios and evaluating their performance in various swarm configurations. These achievements contribute to the future development of UAV technology.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms · UAV Applications and Optimization · Advanced Aircraft Design and Technologies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul 34722, Türkiye
Funding
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK) · 2211-C National PhD Scholarship Program in the Priority Fields in Science and Technology 2022/2 · The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) of the Republic of Türkiye, YÖK 100/2000 PhD Scholarship Program
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