A comprehensive review of aerodynamic performance evaluation for aircraft wings and engines: insights into experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches

The aircraft wing and engine play an important role, in generating lift and thrust forces, which are essential for smooth flight. Aerodynamics of the wing and engine interaction do affect the aerodynamic efficiency and stability of an aircraft. Hence, this review article emphasizes the evaluation of aircraft wing and engine aerodynamic performance. This review article provides insights into the effects of distortions on the aerodynamic stability of the supersonic inlet, hypersonic inlet, S-duct stability, and nacelle. Additionally, this holistic review highlights the various experimental, numerical, and theoretical techniques used in the wing and nacelle analysis. The experimental literature explains different methods and techniques, such as boundary layer transition analysis, vortex instability tests, and flow visualization techniques, used in wind tunnel testing. The numerical methods involving RANS equations, advanced grid techniques, and solvers such as Cart3D-Adjoiny frameworks and DNS simulations enhance aerodynamic efficiency, minimize drag, and reduce fuel consumption. The theoretical literature includes the BFM, the PIMPLE algorithm, and control theories, which are essential for aerodynamic optimization and accurate prediction of aerodynamic characteristics. The integration of theoretical methods like deep learning, ML, and AI will enhance the calculation speed and convergence rate. All three approaches are also discussed with quantitative analysis. In conclusion, the integration of advanced experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches leads to a robust framework for an improving future aircraft design by increasing lift, reducing drag, and improving aerodynamic efficiency. This research article provides valuable insights for the researcher in the aerodynamic domain of aircraft wings and engines by detailing the latest techniques used in aerodynamic flow analysis.