Experimental investigation of UAV rotor aeroacoustics and aerodynamics with computational cross-validation

Abstract The study provided a base of comparison known computational techniques with different fidelity levels for performance and noise prediction single, fixed-pitch UAV rotor operating varying flight parameters. range aerodynamic tools included blade element theory, potential flow methods (UPM, RAMSYS), lifting-line method (PUMA) Navier–Stokes solver (FLOWer). Obtained loading distributions served as input aeroacoustic codes delivering estimation the passing frequency on plane below rotor. resulting forces showed satisfactory agreement experimental data; however, differences in accuracy could be noticed depending applied. wake influence results was estimated based vortex trajectories from simulations those visible background-oriented schlieren (BOS) pictures. analysis scattering effects that ground platform observable even low frequencies.