Ducted Fan VTOL UAV

Drone maker uses Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and HEEDS to deliver the world’s first true ducted fan VTOL UAV. Martin UAV turned to Simcenter to perform the duct optimization. With Siemens Digital Industries Software’s Simcenter STAR-CCM+ software, the firm conducted a full computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the duct performance in hover and cruise conditions, including a hover figure of merit and fixed-wing propulsive efficiency. Martin UAV and Hazen bought into digital simulation early. The result: A true VTOL UAV that may end up being a valuable reconnaissance asset for the Army.