Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems FY13 RWDC National Aviation Challenge Submitted by AERONAUTICAL DOLPHINS Name Age Grade E-mail Phone Numbers (670) Jill Ann 17 11 235-3053 Clariza 17 12 235-1660 Xiao, Stephanie 17 11 785-4083 Xu, Cecilia Huixin 16 10 287-8908 Aglubat, John Paul 18 12 288-2940 Bigueras, Jessica 16 10 233-1964 OBJECTIVE FUNCTION: 232,818.02 Marianas High School CNMI Public School System PO Box 501370 Saipan, MP 96950 (670)664-3800 January 18, 2013 Coach: John Raulerson Marianas High School Mathematics Department and Aviation Department Chair 237-3258 / 235-2568 All the team members have successfully completed all the surveys. Executive Summary Introduction: Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are quickly developing in the United States and are authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The option of using an unmanned aircraft to conduct missions is a safer, faster, and easier way of completing dangerous and time-consuming tasks. The pilot of the unmanned aircraft will be controlling the plane without the dangers of being in the air. The US Army has awarded organizations for the use of advancing unmanned aircraft systems. In order to provide the necessary aspects of a sUAS, our design is built around the sensor payload in order to detect the target. In creating the system that is able to detect the target with a sensor payload and a search pattern that the aircraft will follow, detecting and identifying an object is easily achieved. These factors impacted our design solution to keep the system simple, yet effective in locating anything in a designated area. Conceptual Design: In the first phase of our design, it was already necessary for us to think outside the box. We approached the challenge with all kinds of possibilities and brainstormed multiple design solutions in an effort to jump start our design process. First, we identified design categories with the most yet exceptional performance as measured by the Objective Function (T * C). These included: sensor payload, aircraft lift characteristics, weight, and number of aircrafts. We then used qualitative down-select where we identified key design variables which would have the biggest impact on the efficiency of our design. These included: aircraft layout, sensory payload and telemetry selection, UAV(s) search pattern, propulsion system selection, ground equipment selection, and additional UAV equipment. Preliminary Design: During the preliminary design phase, we efficient
This picture shows the change in the diameter of the fuselage with each inch (FS). Bottom view of our aircraft and the locations of the components 2.5 System and Operation Conditions The entire unmanned aircraft system, from the sensor payload to the ground station, was chosen under careful consideration. The team made choices based on the cost, weight, and size of each individual component. On the other hand, heavier and pricier components were still considered if they compensated for that simple disadvantage. In choosing the sensor payload, we were able to narrow it down to the X3000, and X4000. After a systematic review, the X3000 was chosen to complement our aircraft. Our final decision was based on the fact that the X1000 wasn’t capable of zooming in and the X4000 was too bulky and heavy for our aircraft. Fortunately, the X3000 included wide rolling angles, along with 10x telescopic photo capabilities. Its size allowed it to fit within the geometry of our aircraft and its price was reasonable. The major disadvantage of the X3000 was its large power draw, however; we compensated for this by modifying the aircraft’s system. We would now have four aircrafts in our system. This setup contains four of each basic function, including the personnel needed to operate each station. We decided to purchase the two fleet trailers because it had a better bargain to accommodate four small UAV’s that are less than five feet each and its associated equipment. We had two major search patterns that we discussed constantly: the spiral search with one UAV versus the sector track with two UAV’s versus four UAV’s. Initially, we decided to use the sector track method because it would complete the mission in a shorter amount of time than the spiral search. However, the spiral search would cost less because there would only be one aircraft involved. With the additions of tall trees, short trees, and no trees section, we had to conform to the challenge. Additionally, during a discussion, we assumed that mission would be completed faster when one aircraft would start in the “no trees” section and the other would begin in the “short trees” section. On the other hand, although the spiral search would cost less, it would take more time to complete the mission. On November 27 during the Webinar, we asked the mentors about the effects of flying in a