Coordinated maneuverability analysis of wingtip-docking compound aircraft in multiple flight configurations

To study the coordinated maneuverability of the wingtip-docking compound aircraft, this paper explores the changes in maneuverability from the perspectives of unit aircraft connection number and configuration. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is used to establish an aerodynamic database for the compound aircraft. This data is then employed to develop a dynamic model of the wingtip-hinged chain-like combined aircraft, based on a quasi-coordinate form of the Lagrange multi-body dynamics. The control inputs required for trimming in various configurations have been calculated. Next, the concept of an attitude equivalent body is proposed and its reasonableness as a reference standard for maneuverability explained. Finally, an optimization problem is constructed to evaluate the maximum attainable equivalent acceleration in the longitudinal, lateral, and yaw axes for combinations consisting of 2/3/4/5 unit aircraft in three configurations. The study identifies characteristic changes, explains the reasons, and provides a theoretical basis for configuration selection and control law design.