Control and Simulation of a Ducted Fan VTOL UAV

This paper describes a strategy to simulate a dynamic model of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in flight transition from vertical climb to horizontal flight. Based on unique aerodynamic characteristics from CFD calculation and theoretical method the flight dynamics of ducted fan UAV is able to be modeled and simulated accurately. MATLAB/Simulink V-Realm Builder is a design and modeling software tool for air vehicles that is capable of modeling the performance and flight dynamics during the conceptual and preliminary stage of aircraft design. To develop a control strategy, modeling and simulation of flight dynamics of ducted fan UAV is necessary, because it not only can be applied to optimize dynamic model, but also be used to ensure the dynamic model match with control law.