Authors : Bharath Kumar S.; Amrutha S.; Keerthana Singh C. S.; Avinash N.; Syed Nawaz

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3sv7rdp2

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/ya2zbhkw

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan286

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The increased demand for UAVs has motivated vertical take-off and landing configurations that can handle operation within constrained environments. Even though fixed-wing UAVs provide good aerodynamic efficiency and longer endurance, rotary-wing platforms have the ability to hover; combining these advantages into one remains a key design challenge. This paper presents the design and aerodynamic analysis of a hybrid VTOL UAV using a simulation- driven approach. A symmetric NACA 0012 airfoil is chosen to obtain stable and predictable aerodynamic performance over a wide range of angles of attack, considering the transition conditions of VTOL. Wing and airframe geometries are designed using CAD to ensure proper integration of components with structural feasibility. A pressure distribution analysis, velocity fields, and lift-drag characteristics are studied in ANSYS Fluent under subsonic flow conditions. A deformation, stress, and strain analysis is performed to analyze the response of the structure. Results show stable aerodynamic behavior and acceptable structural response, which is a validated design framework for VTOL UAV configurations.

Keywords : VTOL UAV, NACA 0012, Aerodynamic Analysis, ANSYS Fluent, CAD Modeling, Fixed and Rotary Wing

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