EagleLifter - Air - Launch Testbed UAV
Faculty Mentor Name
Johann Dorfling
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Increased interest in small air-launched drones has created a demand for flexible, small-scale air-launch test capabilities. Inspired by larger “mothership“ airplanes like Stratolaunch and Virgin Galactic‘s White Knight II, EagleLifter is developing an air-launch testbed which can carry drones up to six feet in wingspan between its twin fuselages. EagleLifter will enable in-house testing of air-launched airplanes and other exotic payloads. A half-scale demonstrator has made multiple air launches to prove EagleLifter‘s unique concept. The full-size airplane is being built with university-first composite manufacturing techniques, including 3-D printed fuselage molds and drill fixtures, and a custom I-beam main wing spar. This carbon fiber spar was optimized with iterative ply stacking and destructive testing on a purpose-built high-capacity test fixture. The final article withstands over 535 lb-ft of bending moment across an 8-ft length. EagleLifter‘s large, lightweight structure houses a full-featured electronics suite. An advanced flight controller and NVIDIA mission computer will give EagleLifter the ability to fly autonomously and perform collaborative missions with other drones. Its DroneCAN avionics bus reduces the wiring required by 40%, while providing fast, expandable onboard communications. Redundant flight controls, power supplies, and air-to-ground communications will provide additional safety during flights. EagleLifter will demonstrate a number of features that support regular, fast paced flight operations. The aircraft can be packed in a typical pickup truck bed for transport and assembled in approximately 20 minutes. A trailing-link suspension and electromagnetic brakes will allow operations from poor-quality runways. The final aircraft is under construction, and first flight is expected in April 2024.
EagleLifter - Air - Launch Testbed UAV
Increased interest in small air-launched drones has created a demand for flexible, small-scale air-launch test capabilities. Inspired by larger “mothership“ airplanes like Stratolaunch and Virgin Galactic‘s White Knight II, EagleLifter is developing an air-launch testbed which can carry drones up to six feet in wingspan between its twin fuselages. EagleLifter will enable in-house testing of air-launched airplanes and other exotic payloads. A half-scale demonstrator has made multiple air launches to prove EagleLifter‘s unique concept. The full-size airplane is being built with university-first composite manufacturing techniques, including 3-D printed fuselage molds and drill fixtures, and a custom I-beam main wing spar. This carbon fiber spar was optimized with iterative ply stacking and destructive testing on a purpose-built high-capacity test fixture. The final article withstands over 535 lb-ft of bending moment across an 8-ft length. EagleLifter‘s large, lightweight structure houses a full-featured electronics suite. An advanced flight controller and NVIDIA mission computer will give EagleLifter the ability to fly autonomously and perform collaborative missions with other drones. Its DroneCAN avionics bus reduces the wiring required by 40%, while providing fast, expandable onboard communications. Redundant flight controls, power supplies, and air-to-ground communications will provide additional safety during flights. EagleLifter will demonstrate a number of features that support regular, fast paced flight operations. The aircraft can be packed in a typical pickup truck bed for transport and assembled in approximately 20 minutes. A trailing-link suspension and electromagnetic brakes will allow operations from poor-quality runways. The final aircraft is under construction, and first flight is expected in April 2024.