Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40199959›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Aerodynamic analysis and ANN-based optimization of NACA airfoils for enhanced UAV performance.

Sanan H Khan, Mohd Danish, Md Ayaz, Afsar Husain, Shamma Saeed, Shamma Abdulla, Shama Shaheen, Alia Saeed, Ahmed Thaher

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Sanan H KhanDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UAE University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, 15551, United Arab Emirates. shkhan@uaeu.ac.ae.
Mohd DanishCivil Engineering Section, University Polytechnic, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
Md AyazCivil Engineering Section, University Polytechnic, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
Afsar HusainDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UAE University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Shamma SaeedDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UAE University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Shamma AbdullaDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UAE University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Shama ShaheenDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UAE University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Alia SaeedDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UAE University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Ahmed ThaherDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UAE University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, 15551, United Arab Emirates.

Funding

College of Graduate Studies, United Arab Emirates University G00004501Research Office at UAE University G00004417
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The performance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is strongly dependent on the design of their airfoils, particularly in applications necessitating high maneuverability, stability, and efficiency. This study analyzed three National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) airfoil profiles: NACA 2412, NACA 4415, and NACA 0012, using a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), XFOIL simulations, and a hybrid artificial neural network-genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) model. This study aimed to evaluate and optimize the aerodynamic performance of these airfoils under various flight conditions. Through CFD simulations and XFOIL analysis, we explored the lift, drag, and stall characteristics of each airfoil at different angles of attack and Reynolds numbers. The NACA 4415 airfoil consistently outperformed the others, achieving the highest lift-to-drag ratio ([Formula: see text]) and exhibiting favorable stall behavior. Thus, it is particularly well-suited for UAVs operating in challenging environments. Further, streamline and velocity profile analyses confirmed that NACA 4415 exhibited a smooth airflow and delayed flow separation, thereby contributing to its superior aerodynamic efficiency. Using the hybrid ANN-GA model, we optimized key parameters, such as the angle of attack and Reynolds number with optimal values of [Formula: see text] and 770,801, respectively, for maximum efficiency. Additionally, the ANN model demonstrated a high accuracy in predicting the aerodynamic performance, closely matching the results of the CFD simulations. Overall, this study highlighted the potential of combining computational techniques and machine- learning models to optimize UAV airfoil designs. These findings offer valuable insights for improving the efficiency and agility of UAVs, particularly in industries such as precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring.

Indexed as

Aerodynamic optimizationComputational fluid dynamics (CFD)Hybrid ANN-GANACA airfoilsUAVs

Identifiers

PMID40199959
PMCPMC11979072

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.