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u/alotofgray

r/AerospaceEngineering r/aerodynamics
Image 1 — Looking for feedback on a small tailless cranked-delta UAS demonstrator (STOL Capable)
Image 2 — Looking for feedback on a small tailless cranked-delta UAS demonstrator (STOL Capable)
Image 3 — Looking for feedback on a small tailless cranked-delta UAS demonstrator (STOL Capable)
▲ 6 r/aerodynamics

Looking for feedback on a small tailless cranked-delta UAS demonstrator (STOL Capable)

Rough specs: ~2m class span, aspect ratio around 2, sweep roughly 60°/45° either side of an inboard crank, NACA 0004, fixed tricycle gear (or skids, not sure yet), single electric pusher prop, target all up weight in the low tens of kg. Elevon only pitch/roll, no tail surfaces, no rudder.

Questions I'd value input on:

  1. Any concerns with elevon only control authority at this AR/sweep, particularly stall/spin behaviour near the tip?
  2. Does this crank sweep combination make sense for vortex management at this scale, or would you expect issues at the discontinuity?
  3. Single pusher prop with no rudder how have others handled torque/yaw on a similar tailless layout? Trim-only, or did you end up needing a ventral fin?
  4. Any structural or manufacturability concerns jumping out from the render — panel curvature, gear loads, prop clearance?
  5. Apart from thrust vectoring or a lift fan, what other high lift devices can i add to this to make it STOL capable (aiming for a landing of less then 100m)

Happy to share more (XFLR5/VSP screenshots, polar data) with anyone who has relevant tailless delta background.

u/alotofgray — 9 days ago
▲ 14 r/AerospaceEngineering

Looking for feedback on a small tailless cranked delta UAS demonstrator (render below) (not uni work, just fun)

Rough specs: ~2m class span, aspect ratio around 2, sweep roughly 60°/45° either side of an inboard crank, NACA 0004, fixed tricycle gear (or skids, not sure yet), single electric pusher prop, target all up weight in the low tens of kg. Elevon only pitch/roll, no tail surfaces, no rudder.

Questions I'd value input on:

  1. Any concerns with elevon only control authority at this AR/sweep, particularly stall/spin behaviour near the tip?

  2. Does this crank sweep combination make sense for vortex management at this scale, or would you expect issues at the discontinuity?

  3. Single pusher prop with no rudder how have others handled torque/yaw on a similar tailless layout? Trim-only, or did you end up needing a ventral fin?

  4. Any structural or manufacturability concerns jumping out from the render — panel curvature, gear loads, prop clearance?

  5. Apart from thrust vectoring or a lift fan, what other high lift devices can i add to this to make it STOL capable (aiming for a landing of less then 100m)

Happy to share more (XFLR5/VSP screenshots, polar data) with anyone who has relevant tailless delta background.

u/alotofgray — 9 days ago