Chapter 10

Launch and Recovery Systems Design

Figure 10.1. Pioneer UAV during rocket assisted launch

Un-stretched bungee cord

Stretched bungee cord

Lc/2
Lc/2 +2x≈2x
Figure 10.2. Top view of a bungee cord launcher

1
 V,
x,
a V

Time

Figure 10.3. Normalized values of UAV displacement, velocity, and acceleration during launch

Figure 10.4. Pneumatic launcher. (rpdefense.over-blog.com)

Figure 10.5. Shadow 200 hydraulic launch (www.osimint.com)

2
 Figure 10.6. Pointer Launch

Figure 10.7. Shadow UAV and its launcher

3
 Figure 10.8. ScanEagle launcher

mg

TR

Figure 10.9. Worm-gear screw jack as used the elevation platform

No Screw materials Nut materials

Steel Bronze Brass Cast iron
1 Steel, dry 0.15-0.25 0.15-0.23 0.15-0.19 0.15-0.25
2 Steel, machine 0.11-0.17 0.10-0.16 0.10-0.15 0.11-0.17
oil
3 Bronze 0.08-0.12 0.04-0.06 - 0.06-0.09
Table 10.1. Friction coefficient for threaded pairs

4
 Elevation mechanism Rail/ramp

Azimuth platform

Fixed platform

Figure 10.10. Major elements of a launcher

F z

LL


Ff W

Figure 10.11. Contributing forces on a launcher

5
 (h-ho) C
Lwf T
V

lh x
D
Mowf

W z
Lh
Horizontal
Figure 10.12. Forces and moments at the launch

Fa

a R
Mu

Figure 10.13. Elevation Mechanism

6
 Figure 10.14. Net ScanEagle recovery

Figure 10.15. Net recovery of a Pioneer UAV

7
 Figure 10.16. Skyhook ScanEagle
recovery (Source: Insitu)

Figure 10.17. Windsock recovery system concept

8
Figure 10.18. SkyLite UAV parachute recovery (Source: Insitu)

Quick setup
10
8
6
4
2
Slow setup
Net Arresting Skyhook Windsock Parachute

Figure 10.19. Relative setup times for various recovery systems

9
 Design requirements
(Performance, operational, cost, structural, weight, mobility, size, …)

Functional analysis

Launch system configuration design

Launch system preliminary design

Launch force generation system design

Elevation mechanism design

Rail system design

Mobility system design

No
Evaluation (Requirements satisfied)?
Yes
Optimization

Figure 10.20. Launch system design process

10
 Design requirements
(Performance, operational, cost, structural, weight, mobility, setup time, size, …)

Functional analysis

Recovery system configuration design

Recovery system preliminary design

Recovery mechanism design

Recovery equipment design

No
Evaluation (Requirements satisfied)?
Yes
Optimization

Figure 10.21. Recovery system design process

11