Numerical investigation on aerodynamic characteristics and flight performance of a span-extendable aircraft

This work investigates the aerodynamic characteristics and flight performance of a span-extendable aircraft under both retracted and extended wing configurations through numerical simulations. A validated computational fluid dynamics method is employed to capture the flow field distributions. The numerical results indicate that the extended-wing configuration significantly improves aerodynamic efficiency by reducing induced drag and increasing the effective angle of attack. A lift-to-drag ratio of 19.42 is achieved, representing a 34.58% improvement over the retracted configuration. The flight performance analysis reveals a 25% reduction in loitering speed, a 44% decrease in power consumption, a 34% increase in maximum flight range, and a 76% more flight endurance. These findings confirm the effectiveness of span-variable morphing wings in enhancing flight efficiency and provide valuable insights for the development of next-generation variable wing aircraft.