Predictions of stability and control for a flying wing

The numerical simulation of a generic reduced radar signature tailless aircraft is considered. Investigation compares simulated data to low-speed wind tunnel experiments. Focus is on numerical predictions of steady longitudinal and lateral aerodynamics and influence of control surfaces on aerodynamic forces. Fully turbulent and transitional Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations predicted in agreement with experiment unstable pitch characteristics for low angles of attack (α), this was not the case for inviscid or laminar simulations. However, all simulations captured a sudden rapid increase in nose up pitch moment at higher angles of attack compared to experiments. Time accurate computations (URANS) captured non-linearity and unsteadiness in yaw moment with respect to differential split flap deflections for the studied angles of attack.