Abstract: A wide-speed aircraft capable of horizontal takeoff possesses advantages of rapid response speed, high maneuverability, improved safety, and suitability for different terrains and applications. In this study, a morphing vehicle design with horizontal takeoff and landing capabilities is presented. The aircraft achieves strong aerodynamic performance at subsonic to hypersonic speeds through a wave-like fuselage and a continuously variable sweep angle between 30° and 60°. First, the configuration of the vehicle and its morphing mechanism are described. Then, through numerical modeling, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is investigated over a flight profile progressing from horizontal takeoff to hypersonic cruising. These results indicate that different vehicle configurations might be used for different speed ranges so as to optimize performance. The numerical and flow field data also suggest that the effect of the variable sweep angle on the aerodynamic characteristics is weaker in the hypersonic speed range compared to the subsonic range. Overall, the proposed morphing aircraft has excellent aerodynamic characteristics in the speed range of Mach 0.3 to Mach 7. Moreover, its lift coefficients and lift-to-drag ratios in the subsonic phase ensure that horizontal takeoff and landing can be achieved, and its variable sweep angle effectively extends the flight envelope.

Key words: Horizontal takeoff; Morphing aircraft; Variable-sweep-wing; Wide-speed-range vehicle; Aerodynamic characteristics

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