The Influence of External Disturbances on the Flow Around the Model of a Small-sized UAV

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the ground effect influence on the flow around a UAV model when it enters a turbulent wake. The experiments were carried out in a low-turbulent subsonic wind tunnel with flight Reynolds numbers. A fleecy thread was used as a source of external disturbances, which was stretched in the test section of the wind tunnel in front of the model at a certain distance. Data were obtained on the lift force of the wing model and visualization patterns of the flow near the UAV surface using a thermographic camera at various flow regimes depending on the velocity of the incoming flow, the angle of attack, the presence of incident external disturbances and passive control sources on the model surface.