ABSTRACT

Small UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles) using electric propulsion system are becoming more popular because of the advantage of its quiet operation especially on reconnaissance mission. It is proposed to design and analyse an electric powered small UAV with flight speed about 10 m/s to15 m/s and a max speed of 20 m/s, which can be used for Reconnaissance/Surveillance. Basic sizing methodology applicable to this class of vehicle has been used for a typical mission profile envisaged to arrive at a preliminary aerodynamic configuration. Airfoil, Wing/Tail planform and other geometric parameters of the air vehicle have been selected to achieve maximum endurance and to meet overall mission requirements based on analysis using aerodynamic

design/analysis tools such as Xfoil, AVL lifting line theory has been predicted. Mathematical models of Electric Motor, Propeller and Battery reported in the literature were used. Calculation of Aerodynamic performance of Electric powered UAV is something different; the weight of the vehicle does not change as it flies compared to a conventional UAV powered with Piston/Jet engines. Performance of UAV has also been estimated and presented in the form of charts and tables. Effect of voltage drop during discharge of the battery on the endurance has been studied. Detailed analysis of the vehicle was carried out to obtain the aerodynamic coefficients including derivatives using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Drag estimation was carried out using classical method and Panel method coupled with integral boundary layer. Qprop, Motocalc codes were used for modelling and simulation of motor/propeller. Optimisation of wing planform of the vehicle and Aeroelastic study of wing are the scope for the future work. Conversion of small UAV into Solar powered UAV may also be taken up in future.