Results from Loads and Aeroelastic Analyses of a High Altitude, Long Endurance, Solar Electric Aircraft

Abstract

This work presents the results of comprehensive loads and aeroelastic analyses for the design of the high altitude, long endurance, solar electric aircraft HAP. To ensure a sophisticated design, a large number of maneuver, gust, gyroscopic and landing loads cases are considered. The structural sizing results in a total primary structural mass of 38.4 kg, which is very low considering the wing span of ~28.0 m. The extreme light-weight construction (wing loading ~4.0 kg/m^2) leads to a highly flexible aircraft, making aeroelastic analyses mandatory. Results of static and dynamic aeroelastic analyses are presented, showing that the resulting design is plausible from an aeroelastic point of view.