ANAFI Ai – © Parrot 2021 7
Actuators and aerodynamics
CFD view of an ANAFI Ai propeller blades
Designed by biomimicry, the new bio-inspired propeller blades use a leading edge similar to the
shape of the fins of humpback whales.
This allows a better propulsive efficiency. For the same rotation speed, the thrust is increased. The
effect is comparable to an enlargement of the rotor diameter.
Propellers achieve a Figure of Merit of 66%. The Figure of Merit is used as a performance indicator
of a propeller design, it can be seen as an equivalent of the efficiency. Efficiency is defined by the
ratio between input power and output power, whereas on a drone propeller we use the figure of
merit (the ratio between the input power and an “ideal power”) which is a theoretical maximum value
of power provided by a propeller of a given size.
Acoustic noise is also reduced, especially on the tonal noise coming from the leading edge.
Therefore, ANAFI Ai is quieter [71.5 dBSPL (A) at 1 m] than the Skydio 2 [76.4 dBSP (A) at 1 m].
• Flight time of more than 32 minutes.
• Top speed of 17 m/s (61 km/h) in forward flight and 16 m/s (58 km/h) in lateral and backward
flight, thanks to the optimized aerodynamic performance of the body and the ANAFI Ai
powerplant.
• Wind resistance is 14 m/s (50 km/h).
• 22.5 km range at 14 m/s without wind thanks to the high efficiency of the motor/propeller
torque and the high autonomy of the battery.
Following is a list of aerodynamic simulations performed in the development phase.
• Parrot designs the conversion chain using digital multiphysics simulation tools. These tools
and the Matlab numerical models developed in-house enable us to determine the drone's
performance for a given size, mass and power consumption, right from the specification
phase.
• The numerical models allow us to dimension the UAV according to the customer's needs.
• Modeling of the propulsion unit (CFD).
• Modeling of the drone body (CFD).
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