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Aim of this study is the development of an integrated methodology able to support the structural design of an UAV demonstrator, having a joined-wing configuration and a high structural flexibility. HAPD (High Altitude Performance Demonstrator) is an UAV multi-mission, very light vehicle under development at CIRA, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre. ...HAPD (High Altitude Performance Demonstrator) is an UAV multi-mission, very light vehicle under development at CIRA, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre.

Typical design challenges for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) require low aerodynamic drag and structural weight. Both of these requirements imply that these aircraft are considerably more flexible than conventional aircraft and their stability analyses are more complex since they require models unifying rigid body and elastic dynamics. ...This paper aims to built such a model for a generic UAV. The model is then used to address stability in terms of divergence and flutter.

This paper looks at the future potential of uninhabited air vehicles, UAVs. The paper begins with a rationale as to why UAVs are needed. A taxonomy of future potential UAVs is presented. ...A taxonomy of future potential UAVs is presented. Three generic types of UAVs are identified as surveillance and reconnaissance, combat and support aircraft. ...A total of sixteen possible UAVs are identified. Each one is discussed in terms of mission capabilities. The paper concludes with several “out of the box” concepts, and concludes with a summnary of the potential role of UAVs.

From 1986 through 1992, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the US Air Force collaborated to create a program called the Pilot's Associate. The Pilot's Associate was designed to analyze an aircraft's systems and environment resulting in real-time mission and tactical recommendations to the pilot. Technology developed for the Pilot's Associate Program is more relevant today than ever before. Pilots of unmanned vehicles are faced with making critical decisions during high-stress missions while located thousands of miles from the vehicle. Associate systems can aid unmanned vehicle pilots in making critical decisions, maintaining situational awareness and reducing task overload.

The number of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for private and commercial applications is growing exponentially, beyond the domain of hobby enthusiasts. ...These developments need to be incorporated into standards being produced for UAVs and propulsion systems.

As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fill a wider and wider variety of civic, scientific, and military roles—analysts predict that the UAV market will be the most dynamic growth sector of the decade in terms of the world aerospace industry. ...As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fill a wider and wider variety of civic, scientific, and military roles—analysts predict that the UAV market will be the most dynamic growth sector of the decade in terms of the world aerospace industry. ...As a result, UAV research and development will contribute to a major portion of spending in the next decades—with a significant emphasis on propulsion technologies.

The focus of this study was to optimize range and endurance of the UAV during a particular flight mission. The two numerical analysis tools applied to the UAV wing design were developed for widely different analysis problems. ...The Projectile Rocket Ordinance Design and Analysis System (PRODAS®) software was developed for ballistic projectiles and will be used for 6 DOF fixed plane trajectory simulation of the developed UAV concepts. While the scale of the UAV selected does not match well with the DATCOM software, the mission requirements and analysis format of the software is advantageous. ...In this paper two different tools have been applied to the problem of designing a small UAV. With these tools a parametric study of wing configuration and sizing was performed. The focus of this study was to optimize range and endurance of the UAV during a particular flight mission.

Propulsion and power requirements for unmanned air vehicles (UAV) vary from 10-100's milliwatts for micro-UAV's to 10-100's kilowatts for telecommunications, reconnaissance/combat UAV's. ...Propulsion and power requirements for unmanned air vehicles (UAV) vary from 10-100's milliwatts for micro-UAV's to 10-100's kilowatts for telecommunications, reconnaissance/combat UAV's. Electrochemical fuel cells are highly efficient, modular, rechargeable, and minimal vibrations/torque electrical power sources for any size power system. ...Due to these inherent attractive fuel cell attributes, lightweight fuel cells that minimize fuel cell stack and accessory weight are being developed for electric vehicle, man-portable, and micro and regenerative UAV applications. Regenerative fuel cells are baselined for future high altitude telecommunications platforms such as Helios and Sky Station.

This paper presents substantial and detailed information regarding the common issues affecting the design, testing and qualification of a parachute recovery system for all categories of UAVs (reconnaissance, air target, weapon, etc). 1 We assume that our primary audience will be UAV manufacturers and operators. ...This paper presents substantial and detailed information regarding the common issues affecting the design, testing and qualification of a parachute recovery system for all categories of UAVs (reconnaissance, air target, weapon, etc). 1 We assume that our primary audience will be UAV manufacturers and operators. Therefore, in order to familiarize the reader with the basic process of designing and qualifying a recovery system for a UAV, we have provided a simple but detailed exercise in recovery system design and, a review of the program management thereof. ...Therefore, in order to familiarize the reader with the basic process of designing and qualifying a recovery system for a UAV, we have provided a simple but detailed exercise in recovery system design and, a review of the program management thereof.

This paper describes a strategy to simulate a dynamic model of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in flight transition from vertical climb to horizontal flight. Based on unique aerodynamic characteristics from CFD calculation and theoretical method the flight dynamics of ducted fan UAV is able to be modeled and simulated accurately. ...Based on unique aerodynamic characteristics from CFD calculation and theoretical method the flight dynamics of ducted fan UAV is able to be modeled and simulated accurately. MATLAB/Simulink V-Realm Builder is a design and modeling software tool for air vehicles that is capable of modeling the performance and flight dynamics during the conceptual and preliminary stage of aircraft design. ...To develop a control strategy, modeling and simulation of flight dynamics of ducted fan UAV is necessary, because it not only can be applied to optimize dynamic model, but also be used to ensure the dynamic model match with control law.

This paper describes the design and development of a virtual environment conceived to support flight operations of an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) used for wind mapping in the proximity of existing or planned wind farms. The virtual environment can be used in pre-flight briefings aiming to define a trajectory from a list of waypoints, to change and eventually re-plan the mission in case of intersection with no fly zones, to simulate the mission, and to preview images/videos taken from the UAV on-board cameras. ...The virtual environment can be used in pre-flight briefings aiming to define a trajectory from a list of waypoints, to change and eventually re-plan the mission in case of intersection with no fly zones, to simulate the mission, and to preview images/videos taken from the UAV on-board cameras. During flight, the tool can be used to compute the wind speed along the trajectory by analyzing the data streaming from the UAV. ...During flight, the tool can be used to compute the wind speed along the trajectory by analyzing the data streaming from the UAV. The integration of Augmented Reality (AR) techniques in the flight environment provides assistance in remotely piloted landings, and allows visualizing flight and environmental information that are critical to the mission.

A 3-DOF point mass model system dynamics of UAV is considered. The bank angle and lift co-efficient are identified as control variables. A UAV of mass 5.44kg is considered for this study. ...A UAV of mass 5.44kg is considered for this study. Performance measures considered are maximization of specific energy and maximization of specific energy rate extracted by the vehicle, and minimization of the control effort. ...The effects of linear and parabolic wind gradient on maximizing the specific energy of an autonomous dynamic soaring UAV is also studied and minimum linear gradient required is found. The loop radius of the loiter pattern is maximized for applications like surveillance and patrolling of a localized area along with energy maximization as objective function.

Vives College University and Kulab (KU Leuven University campus Ostend) in Belgium are undertaking an aeronautical research program about the development of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Since the UAV is completely electrically powered, the analysis of the energy management of the integrated electrical system was critical to the development of the UAV. ...Since the UAV is completely electrically powered, the analysis of the energy management of the integrated electrical system was critical to the development of the UAV. LMS, A Siemens Business, is involved in the project to support the development of a multi-physics simulation model for electro-thermal analysis of the aircraft.

Models for the components of a long-duration UAV power system are set forth. The models include the solar array, solar array power converter, fuel cell and electrolyzer system and corresponding power converter, and propulsion load.

This paper presents the design process of an UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for general civil purposes. The aircraft was designed to serve as test platform for the autonomous flight controller developed by the SIDEVAAN project (System Development for Autonomous Aerial Vehicle) of the Federal University of Minas Gerais.

In the present case the validated model was used to predict high altitude performance of UAV engine i.e. power at different altitudes. High altitude performance for UAV engine is always critical, as it is a deciding factor for UAVs in terms of climb rate, service ceiling, max. speed, etc. ...This approach was applied for simulation of a spark-ignited engine for UAV. A detailed 1-D thermodynamic model was prepared for the engine configuration in Ricardo WAVE environment; different simulation runs were executed and then performance parameters like brake power, torque, specific fuel consumption, BMEP, in-cylinder pressure etc. were predicted. ...High altitude performance for UAV engine is always critical, as it is a deciding factor for UAVs in terms of climb rate, service ceiling, max. speed, etc. Further simulated high altitude performance of the engine was then compared with high altitude test results and showed good co-relation.

The Wankel engine for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications delivers advantages vs. piston engines of simplicity, smoothness, compactness and high power-to-weight ratio.

Atmospheric icing is a key challenge to the operational envelope of medium-sized fixed-wing UAVs. Today, several numeric icing codes exist, that all have been developed for general aviation applications. ...Today, several numeric icing codes exist, that all have been developed for general aviation applications. UAVs with wingspans of several meters typically operate at Reynolds numbers an order of magnitude lower than commercial and military aircraft. ...Therefore, the question arises to what extent the existing codes can be applied for low-Reynolds UAV applications to predict ice accretion. This paper describes an experimental campaign at the Cranfield icing wind tunnel on a RG-15 and a NREL S826 airfoil at low velocities (25-40m/s).

Getting Started with UAV Imaging Systems: A Radiometric Guide provides the tools technologists need to begin designing or analyzing the data product of a UAV imager. ...Getting Started with UAV Imaging Systems: A Radiometric Guide provides the tools technologists need to begin designing or analyzing the data product of a UAV imager. Covering the basics of target signatures, radiometric propagation, electro-optical systems, UAV platforms, and image quality, it is replete with examples that promote immediate application of the concepts. ...Covering the basics of target signatures, radiometric propagation, electro-optical systems, UAV platforms, and image quality, it is replete with examples that promote immediate application of the concepts.

With respect to the Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle regulation achievements, a detailed process conducted beside the Italian Flight Regulation Authority (ENAC) is reported emphasizing the key points that led to receive multiple Permit to Fly for Nimbus novel hybrid UAV platform, the first case in Italy in the category of “light UAV”. With specific reference to the UAV segment, after showing the complex procedure defined with such Authority to receive authorization to fly for project final demo, some light on the future perspectives for light UAV regulation will be provided underlining efforts and contributions to define a clear track on the UAV development in civil applications. ...In this paper the regulatory and standardization aspects regarding the light UAV segment are described reporting main steps and activities carried out during the FP7 European SkyMedia funded project. ...With specific reference to the UAV segment, after showing the complex procedure defined with such Authority to receive authorization to fly for project final demo, some light on the future perspectives for light UAV regulation will be provided underlining efforts and contributions to define a clear track on the UAV development in civil applications.