AT 209 Introduction to Civil Unmanned Aerial

Systems (UAS)Professor M Leasure, Associate Professor AET (leasurem@purdue.edu)

Class will meet 2 times per week for 50 minutes

Includes both lecture presentation and hands-on use of UAV technology

Airport hangars will be used for indoor flight operations

Limited outdoor flight opportunities are available as needed

Laboratory projects include simulator flight time and operation of various UAS platforms. A final group presentation will be required.

What you will learn in this class:

Demonstrate ability to manually fly unmanned aircraft visually and via remote video feed (FPV)

Acquire basic skills related to unmanned aircraft operation with flight simulator technology

Demonstrate ability to plan and execute mission plans for unmanned flights

Acquire knowledge of unmanned aircraft, operating systems, and ground control options

Demonstrate unmanned applications in achieving mission goals

Propose unmanned aerial applications and develop implementation plan

Present findings regarding proposed unmanned aircraft applications to class

Acquire working vocabulary of unmanned flight descriptions

Demonstrate autopilot installation, calibration, and system operation

Demonstrate skills related to system construction and maintenance

Unmanned Aerial Systems-UAS

This class will primarily focus on civil UAS applications and technology.

Topics are as follows:

1. Introduction2. History3. Platform Options4. Powerplant options5. Airframe construction6. Command and control systems (flight)7. Launch and recovery options8. Civilian applications9. Regulations10. Safety11. Repair and maintenance12. Sensor packages 13. Field Deployment Experience14. Current assets and presentation Specifications

What is a UAS/UAV? The UAV is an acronym for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which is an aircraft with no pilot on board. UAVs can be remote controlled aircraft (e.g. flown by a pilot at a ground control station) or can fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems. UAVs are currently used for a number of missions, including reconnaissance and attack roles. A UAV is defined as being capable of controlled, sustained level flight and powered by a jet, electric, or reciprocating engine. In addition, a cruise missile can be considered to be a UAV, but is treated separately on the basis that the vehicle is the weapon. The acronym UAV has been expanded in some cases to UAVS (Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle System).

The FAA has adopted the acronym UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) to reflect the fact that these complex systems include ground stations and other elements besides the actual air vehicles.

UAS Types by mission

Target and decoy - providing ground and aerial gunnery a target that simulates an enemy aircraft or missile. (first used WW2)

Reconnaissance - providing battlefield intelligence (most common)

Combat - providing attack capability for high-risk missions (see Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle, (UCAV)

Research and development - used to further develop technologies to be integrated into UAS aircraft

Civil and Commercial UAVs - UAVs specifically designed for civil, and potential commercial, applications such as agriculture, forestry, etc.

Manual Flight Controls, Mode 2

(up, down, right, left are referenced from virtual pilot seat)

UP

DOWN

YAW LEFT

FORWARD

Back

ROLL RIGHT

UAS Sample Designs

Lockheed Quadrotor

Another Lockheed design, small 5 pound Quadrotor

Viking Aerospace Helicopter

18 horsepower

Fixed Wing Large Civilian

Ranger – Swiss/Israeli Civilian with catapult

Fixed Wing Small

CALMAR Condor Agricultural Imaging UAV, 10’ span, 21 pounds loaded, Electric propulsion, hand launch, unimproved field landing

Flex Wing

Wings can fold for storage

Powered parachute

Very compact for transport, slow flight, low power required

Airship

Power only used for climb and repositioning, vulnerable to high wind

VTOL Fixed Wing

Vertical Take-off and landing combined with fixed wing speed

VTOL ( Tail Sitter)

Fixed wing speed with no runway requirement

Components of a Complete UAS Operation

COA application and approval of platform and flights (regulatory)

Platform design and construction (manufacturing)

Flight test and development (flight)

Maintenance and repair of uas (technical)

Training for all aspects (education)

Coordinating and identifying applications with customers (marketing)

Investigating new technology (research)

Data package implementation, data analysis (data science)

Onboard electronics, guidance, power, control (avionics)

Coordination and monitoring of projects (management)

Securing funding and income streams ( finance)

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