Meta-fly Aerodynamic Modeling for Fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Strong Winds

The complex aerodynamics under the interference of strong wind pose a serious challenge for the safe and stable flight of the fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles（UAVs）. To improve the environment adaptability of the fixed-wing UAVs in strong winds，an innovative meta-fly aerodynamic modeling method is developed. Different from the traditional aerodynamic modeling established in the wind coordinate system，meta-fly aerodynamic modeling is a meta-modeling technique. Based on the multivariate function variable decomposition theory of high-order Taylor expansion，the analytical common aerodynamic basis function model for the fixed-wing UAV，which is generally applicable under different wind conditions and depends only on the inherent properties of the vehicle，is constructed. It is described with the easily measured aircraft motion variables relative to the ground coordinate system and isolates the disturbances from wind that are difficult to observe. Combined with the wind disturbance coefficient function identified online，the prediction of aerodynamic forces and moments acting on the aircraft during the flights may be achieved. It is shown that the meta-fly aerodynamic model established for the fixed-wing UAV can accurately predict the aerodynamic force and moment under unknown wind conditions，which lays a good foundation for the engineering implementation of real-time aerodynamic modeling. © 2024 Chinese Society of Astronautics. All rights reserved.