Aerodynamic and flight control characteristics evaluation of a flying boom based on wind tunnel tests

The technology of material transportation between multiple aircraft via a connecting flying boom has broad application scenarios, such as material transfer between two aircraft, emergency repair of faulty aircraft in flight, and recovery of small unmanned aerial vehicles. The excellent aerodynamic and control characteristics of the flying boom are essential prerequisites for achieving high-precision docking and stable transportation. Focusing on a slender flying boom with control surfaces, its aerodynamic and flight control characteristics are investigated systematically through a combined approach of wind tunnel testing and numerical simulation. First, aerodynamic parameters and control surface efficiency data of the flying boom under various conditions were obtained through wind tunnel force measurement tests. Subsequently, a dynamic model of the flying boom was established based on the floating frame of reference theory to evaluate its dynamic stability, and a flight control law for the flying boom was designed on this basis. Then, open- and closed-loop control characteristics of the flying boom were verified through wind tunnel flight tests. Finally, numerical simulations were employed to analyze the influence of Reynolds number and Mach number on the aerodynamic characteristics of the flying boom under typical operating conditions. The evaluation results confirm the feasibility of applying the wind tunnel test conclusions in engineering applications.