Numerical Investigations of Camber-Morphed Flap-Elevator Systems in Trimmed Flight

Modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) demand improved aerodynamic performance and control authority. This study uses numerical simulations to compare the aerodynamic performance in longitudinal trim of two distinct control surface configurations that can be used in modern UAVs. The first configuration, the hinged system (HS), uses a traditional flap at 70% chord and a hinged elevator. The second, the smooth camber-morphed system (SCMS), features a camber-morphed flap from 70 to 90% chord and a