International Conference on Product Lifecycle Modeling, Simulation and Synthesis (PLMSS)- 2023

“Product Lifecycle Management in Smart, Connected and Sustainable Ecosystem”

Life Cycle: Assessment and Management of UAVs

Manu Jain*1, Gajendra Nand Khanna 2, S S Tomar3

1
ADE, DRDO, India
2
ADE, DRDO, India
3
ADE, DRDO, India

ABSTRACT / EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UAVs are becoming an integral part of the world of mankind, whether in the field of
military or civilian society. The recent wars like Armenia-Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Russia have
highlighted the crucial role to be played by UAVs in the future warfare. They can be the game
changer in deciding which side wins the wars. These UAVs are designed and developed using
a different philosophy as compared to the manned aircrafts. This paper aims at taking a bird’s
eye view of UAVs, life cycle which includes their development phase, trials, certification and
their unique operational requirements involving obsolescence management, manpower
management, technology sustenance, technology up-gradation, variants, configuration control,
inventory management, certification and approvals, quality assurance, disposal/waste
management.
A case study of Indian UAVs which are design and developed indigenously is also presented.
Which includes product maintenance strategy for defence long duration lifecycle products.
Including the development of support and maintenance framework for service lifecycle
management. Role of production agency, Design cum production partner and industry is also
analysed to see the impact of their contributions in the life cycle of the product.

Keywords: life cost, life cycle assessment, life cycle management, UAV

1. INTRODUCTION

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is the Research and Development
arm of Ministry of Defence (MoD). Its aim is to develop world class defence systems as per
the requirement of Indian Defence services. Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)
is one of the pioneer labs in Aero Cluster of DRDO. ADE’s main mandate is to develop
Unmanned Aerial Systems which includes Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Aerial Delivery
systems, Flight Control (FC), Ground operational systems etc. ADE is also responsible for
development of cruise vehicles, flight control systems and simulators for manned aircrafts.
Today UAVs are integrated at every level of armed forces i.e from soldier to command. Now
UAVs are not just eyes in the sky but are used in multiple roles which includes combat, support,
transport and kamikaze operations with HALE, MALE to mini and micro-UAVs working
together to form a multilayer force augmentation.

It is very important that the life cycle of the UAVs developed, produced, deployed should be
managed to get the optimum utilization of the resources available.

As the UAVs development is still relatively a new era and involves cutting edge technologies,
innovative methods of manufacturing, new materials, multi-disciplinary approach in design,
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 International Conference on Product Lifecycle Modeling, Simulation and Synthesis (PLMSS)- 2023
“Product Lifecycle Management in Smart, Connected and Sustainable Ecosystem”

unpredictable usage pattern, there is not enough literature/methodology to develop a model for
life cycle management of the UAVs. This paper focuses on the life cycle management from the
requirement generation, conceptualization of UAVs, design and development, trials,
production, actual use in service and disposal. Cost comparison of different class of UAVs is
done to find out the optimum mix for the forces.

Requirement generation and conceptualization:

UAVs are designed based on requirements which state their operational environment, uses etc.
Requirement statement for an UAV system is normally less vigorous and elaborate so that the
design team can have the flexibility to conceptualize an innovative product. This leads to the
use of unconventional design methodologies and use of less stringent conditions for testing and
qualification. This makes the exact life cycle assessment difficult for the UAV system.
Conceptualization of UAVs is not limited to just requirement and uses. Designers have the
flexibility to incorporate many new inventions, un-conventional methods as the safety
requirements of a UAV is not as stringent as a manned aircraft. These unconventional design
methods make it difficult to assess the actual life of UAV. UAVs are being designed with
novel methods of takeoff and retrieval. These methods also pose challenges in determining the
life of a UAV.

Swarm technology is evolving and is the most emerging trend in UAVs. Swarm technology
indicates a tactical shift in the use of UAVs and enhances the role of UAVs.

Design of UAVs :

The design of UAVs should be based on operational scenario and uses thus enhancing the life
to cost ratio. It should also include the serviceability, maintainability and disposal to provide a
better projection of life cycle assessment and maintainability of UAV.

Material used in airframe: The main materials used in airframes of UAVs is composites
which have many issues such as the material property inputs, manufacturing processes
uncertainty, and challenges with recycling. Most airframes of UAVs are not currently designed
with ease of assembly/disassembly, repair, storage conditions, reuse of the materials taken into
consideration. This leads to conservative prediction of UAV life and many times there is an
extension program which has to be catered for the life enhancement of UAV.

Certification: UAV systems are becoming both complicated and sophisticated. It necessitates
a control design process with independent checks and balances imposed by regulatory
authorities, design reviews, industry experts and standardize practices. With manned and
unmanned teaming, it is now essential that the unmanned aircraft design should also follow the
same standardization and rigour to ensure that they also have the same operational capabilities
and life span.

Conclusion: UAV life cycle analysis depends on the accuracy of requirements projected,
operational scenario captured, system design methodology adopted, manufacturing process
employed, testing, trials carried out. The UAV system maintainability and life is determined
by the storage conditions, operational environment, actual use, obsolescence management, and
upgradation/refurbishment. At present UAVs have a limited life span compared to manned
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 International Conference on Product Lifecycle Modeling, Simulation and Synthesis (PLMSS)- 2023
“Product Lifecycle Management in Smart, Connected and Sustainable Ecosystem”

aircrafts but compared to their life cycle cost they are quite economical.

Acknowledgment
The authors express sincere thanks to Shri Y Dilip, Outstanding Scientist & Director,
ADE, for his encouragement and constant support for carrying out the work and also for
permitting this paper for publication. Authors also thank past and present officers and staff of
ADE, whose efforts have led to evolution of the system and improved our understanding of
various requirements.