STAGE 1 · Geometric Modeling and Configuration Comparison

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The study demonstrates that an over-the-wing (OTW) DEP architecture is technically feasible for surveillance-oriented electric aircraft. Combining a high-aspect-ratio wing with OTW rotor placement improves L/D and gives a clear advantage over existing tactical electric platforms. The integrated use of CFD, ML surrogate modelling and a quantum–classical hybrid expanded analysis scope while cutting computational cost — the surrogate reached 1.47% mean error against CFD, and the quantum route achieved a ~720× speed-up (with some accuracy loss reflecting current NISQ limits). Beyond surveillance, the platform's low-noise, low-thermal-signature design suits civilian uses such as environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection and search-and-rescue. Flight permissions have been obtained and flight tests have begun; future work covers a differential ML architecture, VQE-based quantum algorithms, and validation in professional wind tunnels with university partners.