Aerodynamic Effects of a Blended Multi-Winglet on an Airliner in Subsonic and Transonic Regimes.

Abstract

This study investigates the aerodynamic performance of a blended multi-winglet configuration installed on the wingtip of a transonic commercial aircraft, focusing on both subsonic and transonic regimes. Conventional single winglets are typically optimized to reduce induced drag during cruise, but multi-winglets have the potential to enhance lift during takeoff and landing. However, their effectiveness in transonic conditions remains insufficiently explored. In this work, a reference Boeing 767 blended winglet was divided into three distinct elements, each retaining the original wingtip airfoil. Computational simulations were conducted to compare single- and multi-winglet configurations under cruise conditions. Additional analyses were performed at subsonic speeds to evaluate lift performance. Under transonic conditions, the multi-winglet configuration exhibited a 1.4% increase in total drag due to a greater projected frontal area. However, it achieved reduced induced drag, attributed to the rearmost winglet's negative cant angle, which suppresses vortex formation by inhibiting upward airflow. In subsonic flight, lift improved by up to 1.3% due to accelerated flow over the upper surface, enhanced by smaller leading-edge radii and air acceleration through inter-winglet gaps. These findings suggest that multi-winglets outperform single winglets in reducing induced drag during cruise and enhancing lift during takeoff and landing.