Micro Air Vehicle Platform Design

Faculty Mentor Name

Akhan Almagambetov and William Crisler

Format Preference

Poster Presentation and Demonstration

Abstract

The majority of small scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) are made using very high performance, high cost materials, such as carbon fiber or other composite matter, typically shaped into very unconventional shapes and structures. While the use of these materials helps the airframe’s structural stability and performance, the cost to buy, shape or machine such materials is extremely high. The focus of this project is to use consumer grade materials and technology to design and build an autonomous micro air vehicle that can functionally compete with military grade systems, while maintaining an under- budget status compared to the average budget of a typical military grade drone. The mission objectives include autonomous take-off and landing, waypoint navigation, collection and transmittal of data from IR & HD camera systems to the ground control module, perform minute stability control adjustments, basic flight maneuvers, and remaining in the air for at least 1 hour. The first phase of the project was testing different airframes and airfoils to get a feel for their flight characteristics. The most current prototype is a fixed flying airframe, remotely controlled by a UAS operator. This aircraft is made mostly out of EXPS foam, with an EPP foam nose to provide impact resistance. The leading edges of the aircraft were reinforced with drywall tape and epoxy to provide a ruggedized structure. In addition, the UAV gets approximately 45 minutes of flight time at half throttle. Steps are being taken to implement a Lisa/S autopilot system for phase two of the project.

Ignite Grant Award

Location

AC1-ATRIUM

Start Date

3-31-2017 11:00 AM

End Date

3-31-2017 3:00 PM

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Mar 31st, 11:00 AM Mar 31st, 3:00 PM

Micro Air Vehicle Platform Design

AC1-ATRIUM

The majority of small scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) are made using very high performance, high cost materials, such as carbon fiber or other composite matter, typically shaped into very unconventional shapes and structures. While the use of these materials helps the airframe’s structural stability and performance, the cost to buy, shape or machine such materials is extremely high. The focus of this project is to use consumer grade materials and technology to design and build an autonomous micro air vehicle that can functionally compete with military grade systems, while maintaining an under- budget status compared to the average budget of a typical military grade drone. The mission objectives include autonomous take-off and landing, waypoint navigation, collection and transmittal of data from IR & HD camera systems to the ground control module, perform minute stability control adjustments, basic flight maneuvers, and remaining in the air for at least 1 hour. The first phase of the project was testing different airframes and airfoils to get a feel for their flight characteristics. The most current prototype is a fixed flying airframe, remotely controlled by a UAS operator. This aircraft is made mostly out of EXPS foam, with an EPP foam nose to provide impact resistance. The leading edges of the aircraft were reinforced with drywall tape and epoxy to provide a ruggedized structure. In addition, the UAV gets approximately 45 minutes of flight time at half throttle. Steps are being taken to implement a Lisa/S autopilot system for phase two of the project.

Ignite Grant Award