An Experimental Study on the Aerodynamic Performance Degradation of a High-Lift UAV Airfoil Induced by Ice Accretion

In-flight icing poses a significant hazard to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations. This study examines the effect of ice accretion on the aerodynamic performance of a high-lift S1223 UAV airfoil, with a particular focus on ice-shape-induced performance degradation. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was employed to obtain quantitative velocity measurements of the airflow over iced airfoil surfaces. The test models were fabricated via 3D printing from 3D scanned models of S1223 airfoils that had undergone icing experiments in an icing research tunnel under both rime and glaze ice conditions at angles of attack of 0° and 5°. A pair of high-sensitivity load cells was used to measure the aerodynamic forces acting on the iced airfoils. The integration of quantitative flow field measurements with force data provided insights into how complex ice formations influence flow separation characteristics over the airfoil, thereby revealing the underlying mechanisms responsible for ice-induced degradation of aerodynamic performance.