The present article deals with the conceptual design of a new medium short takeoff and landing tactical transport aircraft, which is intended to expand the institutional capabilities of the Colombian Air Force in terms of versatility and flexibility. An original design strategy was developed during the conceptual design, combining classical methodologies and high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This methodology allowed the aircraft to be assessed in a single design space, based on its design requirements, mission, and applicable airworthiness standards. Once obtained a baseline concept, the aerodynamic study focused on the flow around two types of wingtip devices: tip tanks and blended winglets. These devices were designed to optimize the performance capabilities of the aircraft, while keeping simple certification procedures. Wind tunnel experiments and CFD simulations were carried out to evaluate and select the best configuration. Lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficient charts, along with vorticity contours, are presented. Results showed that blended winglets have a significant potential for improving aircraft performance without severe structural weight penalties, allowing additional payload capabilities and/or increased range and fuel savings. Finally, the optimized aircraft is compared to major competitors in order to discuss and highlight its main advantages and feasibility for future production.

本文涉及一种新型中短距起降战术运输机的概念设计，旨在扩大哥伦比亚空军在多功能性和灵活性方面的机构能力。在概念设计期间制定了原始设计策略，结合经典方法和高保真计算流体动力学 (CFD) 模拟。这种方法允许在单一设计空间中根据飞机的设计要求、任务和适用的适航标准对飞机进行评估。获得基线概念后，空气动力学研究将重点放在两种翼尖装置周围的气流上：翼尖油箱和混合式翼梢小翼。这些设备旨在优化飞机的性能，同时保持简单的认证程序。进行风洞实验和 CFD 模拟以评估和选择最佳配置。提供升力、阻力和俯仰力矩系数图表，以及涡度等值线。结果表明，融合式翼梢小翼在改善飞机性能方面具有巨大潜力，而且不会造成严重的结构重量损失，从而增加有效载荷能力和/或增加航程和节省燃油。最后，将优化后的飞机与主要竞争对手进行比较，以讨论和突出其未来生产的主要优势和可行性。结果表明，混合式翼梢小翼在提高飞机性能方面具有巨大潜力，而且不会造成严重的结构重量损失，从而增加有效载荷能力和/或增加航程和节省燃油。最后，将优化后的飞机与主要竞争对手进行比较，以讨论和突出其主要优势和未来生产的可行性。结果表明，融合式翼梢小翼在改善飞机性能方面具有巨大潜力，而且不会造成严重的结构重量损失，从而增加有效载荷能力和/或增加航程和节省燃油。最后，将优化后的飞机与主要竞争对手进行比较，以讨论和突出其未来生产的主要优势和可行性。