Research progress and challenges of ionic wind propulsion for unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

Since the maiden flight of the world’s first fixed-wing ionic wind-propelled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018, ionic wind propulsion technology based on electrohydrodynamics has officially entered the stage of engineering exploration. Benefiting from no mechanical moving parts, low noise and rapid response, it has become a promising aerospace propulsion technology. This review illustrates the thrust generation mechanism of ionic wind, and summarizes recent advances in electrode structures, ducted thrusters, airborne power supplies, flight control and atmospheric factors, and further analyzes a series of engineering challenges and corresponding development strategies for ionic wind UAVs. This review is expected to provide a reference for subsequent research and practical applications of ionic wind propulsion for UAVs.