Flap efficiency analysis for the SAGITTA diamond wing demonstrator configuration

The efficiency of deflected midboard flaps is investigated on a diamond wing-shaped unmanned aerial vehicle, the SAGITTA demonstrator configuration. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations are applied to compute numerical results for a variety of flight conditions with varying angle of attack, sideslip angle, and midboard flap deflection. Low-speed wind tunnel conditions are regarded to compare the results to existing experimental data. The focus is particularly laid on the analysis of the aerodynamic coefficients and derivatives in both the longitudinal and the lateral motion. The occurring flow phenomena are motivated and discussed by flow field illustrations that are available from the numerical computations. The results show at small to moderate angles of attack linear flap characteristics, since the overall flow field is dominated by attached flow. With increasing angle of attack and additional sideslip angle, however, the leading-edge vortex originating from the inboard sharp leading edge and the wing tip separation region affect the midboard flap efficiency. Non-linear coupling effects become obvious, which particularly affect the roll and pitch control effectiveness.