Efficient computational fluid dynamics approach for coaxial rotor simulations in hover

A study is conducted to demonstrate a new computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology to quickly assess coaxial unmanned aerial systems (UASs). The approach retains a high-fidelity, three-dimensional, blade-resolved CFD evaluation of hovering rotorcraft. The method explores the mixing plane approach within STAR-CCM+ in application to coaxial rotorcraft in hover. These mixing planes are common for turbomachinery applications to coaxial rotorcraft in hover. These mixing planes are common for turbomachinery applications are well established. The study starts with discussing the niche where a mixing plane computational approach is relevant to coaxial rotorcraft in the context of conventional computational technologies. The development of the CFD model is discussed from the initial airfoil grid to the final coaxial rotor model.