Dynamic response of commuter category aircraft wing against drone collision

The extensive application and development of drones provides high potential airborne collision between manned aircraft and civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or known as drone. This phenomenon is a serious threat to aircraft operation safety. The objective of this paper is to investigate the dynamic response of the aircraft wing section commuter category when experienced the drone collision. The ‘Mavic’ drone with a mass of 735 g was used as an impactor in simulation. Explicit dynamic code ABAQUS was employed to simulate the collision process based on the difference of collision scenarios to assess the hazard. The results showed that 735 g drone collision at the aircraft maximum approach flap speed and cruising speed could cause some damage on the wing front spar. The 735 g drone collision is more serious than 910 g bird strike providing information that component hardness plays an important role in wing damage. Furthermore, the potential source of ignition may be caused by the lithium-ion battery penetrated the airframe.