UCF Researchers Study Wing Shape for Smoother Drone Water-to-Air Launches
University of Central Florida researchers are investigating how wing shape and motion impact the critical transition of amphibious drones from water to air, aiming to develop models for more stable and reliable egress maneuvers.
Transitioning from water to air presents a significant challenge for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. Researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are now studying the intricate physics of this process, termed egress, with the goal of improving future amphibious drone designs.
Associate Professor Samik Bhattacharya and master's student Dominic Polidoro are focusing on the forces that interact as a wing emerges from water into the air. Their work aims to create mathematical models that can enhance the technology for military amphibious vehicles. Beyond military applications, this research could also broaden the use of amphibious UAVs in civilian roles, such as search-and-rescue operations in coastal regions, environmental monitoring of oceans, and disaster response efforts.
While the entry of drones into water has been extensively studied, their exit from water remains less understood. Previous observations indicate that as a wing rises from the water, the lift it generates initially increases before abruptly reversing direction prior to stabilization. The exact reasons for this phenomenon are still unknown, but understanding it is crucial for predicting and controlling drone performance during egress.
"In general, when a UAV egresses, it causes lift overshoot followed by a sharp drop," explained Bhattacharya. "Such rapid changes in lift forces can create instability, leading to loss of control." The research team is utilizing a water tank and 3D-printed wings in their Experimental Fluid Mechanics Lab to analyze how factors like surface deformation, wave dynamics, and vortex shedding interact during the egress process. Their objective is to gain a deeper understanding of the physical forces driving this transition.
Bhattacharya and Polidoro have presented preliminary findings from their research at the 2026 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech Forum. The insights gained from this study could lead to more reliable and stable amphibious UAVs capable of performing complex aerial and water-based operations with improved payload capacity and autonomous control.
This research addresses a critical bottleneck in amphibious drone development: the water-to-air egress. By modeling the complex fluid dynamics involved, particularly the lift overshoot and sharp drop, UCF's work could enable more stable and efficient transitions. This is vital for expanding drone utility in diverse environments, from search and rescue to potential military operations, and aligns with the broader additive manufacturing push for specialized, high-performance components.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.