Arwin Datumaya Wahyudi Sumari, Mikael Septianto Mangando, Elisabeth Anna Prattiwi
Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (TUAVs) with Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) play important roles in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Therefore, reducing the visibility of VTOL TUAV from radar detection is a critical thing. This study aims to modify the aerodynamic characteristics and Radar Cross Section (RCS) of this kind of UAV. Two TUAV geometries were analyzed, namely non-VTOL and VTOL-modified. The VTOL modifications enable operations without a runway, enhancing flexibility in ISR missions. Simulation results show that adding VTOL features resulted in a 6.11% decrease in aerodynamic performance and an average increase in RCS of 17.79%. This reduction in aerodynamic performance is attributed to the complexity of airflow around the VTOL structure. At the same time, the increase in RCS is related to changes in the TUAV's shape and materials. In conclusion, this study has given valuable insights for developing more effective and efficient TUAVs in various ISR mission scenarios. It highlights the need for further research on shape and material optimization to reduce radar detection. © 2025 IEEE.
State Polytechnic of Malang, Department of Electrical Engineering, Malang, Indonesia; Adisutjipto Institute of Aerospace Technology, Faculty of Aerospace Technology, Yogyakarta, Indonesia