2 stroke 2.5 Hp glow engine powered reconnaissance UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) design and cruise flight optimization

Design studies for a small scale UAV concept which has (glow) engine, conventional configuration and reconnaissance mission profile were made. Aerodynamic analyses using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) were carried out in two stages; (i) components of designed aircraft (wing, empennage, fuselage), and (ii) whole aircraft. Accordingly, a comparative evaluation of aircraft components' aerodynamic behavior was made for singular and assembled situations. Cruise flight performance of the engine was investigated for the designed aircraft with theoretical and experimental processes according to altitude. Camera performance was investigated according to elevation. Design, engine and camera performance values was blended into reconnaissance mission execution in order to find out recommended cruise flight conditions. Thus enabled evaluation of cruise flight optimization of composed UAV system.