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Inverted V-tail advantages?

Posted by Irfan Mohamed on March 25, 2010 at 1:38pm

Did some googling on military UAVs and it came up with this nice site, listing 30 UAVs currently in use and for future deployment.

http://www.popsci.com/technology/gallery/2010-02/gallery-future-drones

I found the inverted v-tails on some of them interesting, can anyone enlighten me on the advantages they present compared to normal v-tails or even more conventional tailplanes? I've seen one or two blog posts with similar mods, but it seems all it does is save weight.

http://uavkes.blogspot.com <- our blog

inverted, v-tail

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Comments

Richard October 2, 2012 at 3:12pm

Does anyone know the best way to install the servos for inverted v tail, mirroring eachother, like standard aileron servos, or the same way?
Admin

Morli March 29, 2010 at 9:27am

Offers high vantage point for antennas , strobes, high clearance from dragging/scrapping the tail during takeoff and landing, 2 servos instead of 3 etc
frederic reblewski March 29, 2010 at 9:04am

it adds clearance at take-off and landing time, too
Firefly March 29, 2010 at 4:26am

One of the big advantages I have heard in favor of inverted V tail designs is its stability in cross wind situations. For an example when hit by a cross wind gust on landing the inverted V will cause the airplane to pitch up as opposed to diving into the ground. It shouldn't make any difference when used with an autopilot but many military UAVs are remotely piloted during landing.
Ryan March 25, 2010 at 8:20pm

At typical UAV high wing loading (all that I've flown so far), if your're in a spin which means your onboard INS, autopilot, and other systems had failed, then it doesn't matter what tail configuration you have - you'll be wishing for a ballistic parachute!
john bero March 25, 2010 at 6:53pm

How does it do in a flat spin situation? I know the standard V tail configeration has some negative history with unrecoverability. Sort of an Urban myth. Anyone?
Ryan March 25, 2010 at 4:43pm

In theory yes - it works OK for small light weight plane but when you go to a larger platform, you would still want aileron to correct bank angle because there would be a larger mass (wing) to move around...don't think the ruddervator alone can give you enough response.
Xander March 25, 2010 at 4:12pm

So the V tail can function as the only control surfaces on the plane? Would that fly similar to a flying wing without any true yaw (roll and pitch to turn)?
Irfan Mohamed March 25, 2010 at 3:45pm

Thanks for all the help, I'll definitely be considering this setup in a future project :)
Melih Karakelle March 25, 2010 at 2:59pm

Standart V tails works like counter aileron and reduces aileron effect.
Inverted V tails works like an aileron and plane can turn perfect without aileron.
Aileronless design = removable and rigid wings.