Design and build of a UAV with morphing configuration

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Design and build of a UAV with morphing configuration

Maziar Arjomandi

Kevin Wai Leung W. Chan, Crystal Jean Forrester, Ian John J. Lomas, Simon John Mitchell, Carlee Jade Stacey

(Commenced: 01-Jan-2009, Concluded: 30-Nov-2009)

Maziar Arjomandi

Kevin Wai Leung W. Chan

Crystal Jean Forrester

Ian John J. Lomas

Simon John Mitchell

Carlee Jade Stacey

This project conducted by a group of five undergraduate engineering students from the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide aimed to develop a remotely piloted UAV capable of morphing between two different configurations. Dubbed `The Morpheus Project,' the aircraft design was driven towards a multi-mission platform which reduces the need for performance compromise during different flight phases.

The conceptual design of the airframe was derived using a classical approach, based on an extensive feasibility study and statistical analysis of the global UAV and morphing technology industries. Motivated by aerodynamic, structural and manufacturing limitations, a telescoping wing and tail concept was developed based on a conventional aircraft configuration. The aircraft platform features non-tapered outboard wing sections which extend and retract from a tapered inboard wing section. To control the longitudinal stability of the aircraft during ight, a telescoping tail boom extends and retracts from the rear of the fuselage. While this design presents numerous challenges, particularly in terms of stability and manufacturing, the overall airframe demonstrates an innovative and creative approach to engineering design.

The aircraft is to be primarily constructed from composite materials to provide structural strength and rigidity whilst minimising weight. The use of an electric propulsion system consisting of a brushless motor and lithium-polymer battery technology allowed for a reduction in aircraft complexity and development time. Stable and sustained flights were achieved in all possible aircraft configurations, and morphing during flight was also demonstrated. The aircraft has a theoretical maximum speed of 147km/h in the extended configuration and 166 km/h in the retracted configuration. The aircraft has also demonstrated the capability of 700g of payload, and has a theoretical endurance of 36 minutes.

From the beginning, the project objectives were deemed ambitious due to the difficulty in developing and manufacturing the morphing mechanisms, and the reliance of all project goals on successful test flights. The resourcefulness of the group provided a strong foundation from which the majority of the primary goals were achieved. Several extended goals were also specified to provide the group with additional challenges to an already ambitious project. Theoretical calculations were performed toward the achievement of these goals; however there was insufficient time available for flight testing. The work undertaken by the project group provides a solid basis for further development of the Morpheus UAV.

Project Sponsors

– Aeronautical Engineers Australia

– Babcock Integrated Technology Australia

– Australian Aerospace Limited

Project Deliverables

Project Report

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