Efficient Modeling of a Tilted Propeller–Wing System over a Wide Angle-of-Attack Range Based on Wind Tunnel and CFD Data

Abstract

Tilt-wing VTOL configurations have attracted growing attention. Yet effective modeling of coupled propeller–wing aerodynamics across a wide angle-of-attack (AoA) range remains lacking. Existing methods either lack accuracy at high AoA (low-order models) or are too computationally expensive for early-stage design (high-fidelity CFD), limiting their applicability to tilt-wing with distributed electric propulsion (DEP) systems. This study proposes a rapid and engineering-oriented modeling approach combining a propeller digital twin with wing CFD results. The digital twin is constructed from wind tunnel force measurements and wake Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data of a propeller (𝑅𝑒𝑝= 3.2𝑒4–2.9𝑒5), covering AOA 0◦–80◦and advance ratio 𝐽= 0.05–1.77, and provides force coefficients and downstream induced velocities. Wing CFD data are used to build response surface models (RSMs) for spanwise local aerodynamic coefficients, which are corrected using propeller-induced flow from the digital twin to predict coupled aerodynamic loads. Wind tunnel experiments validate the modeling approach on a typical tilting propeller-wing system model. Based on that, a parametric study is carried out, analyzing the relation between the installation position of the propeller and the performance of the propeller-wing system, both in cruise and low-speed high AoA flight. The proposed framework enables fast and accurate modeling of tilt-wing DEP systems over a wide AOA range, supporting efficient aerodynamic design and integration studies.