Solar UAV : airframe configuration and design

• Main Author: Kurniawan, Juan Septiano.
• Other Authors: Li, Peifeng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Aircraft
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53285
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The growth of solar cells technology has made the development of solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) possible. Here in Nanyang Technological University, a 3-year project is underway to develop a medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) solar-powered UAV with 24-hr endurance. The author was involved in the 2nd year of the project, aimed at building on the knowledge of the past year’s progress and preparing the subsequent group of students to manufacture the aircraft in 2014. The author was part of the Structure group, which designs the aircraft structure that is strong enough to carry the weight and withstand turbulence, yet light enough to hit the 60-kg maximum take-off mass target. Initial comparisons with similar UAVs have been made to determine the feasibility of the project. Turbulence is quantified in terms of gust load factor. Following the analysis, components and suitable materials are selected and built to satisfy the strength requirement. Design of fuselage is aimed to have as small drag as possible. Variations of drag coefficient with respect to change in fuselage radius and length have been investigated in order to meet both the minimum size and drag requirements.