Design and Fabrication of a Low-Cost, Deployable, Rogallo-Wing sUAS

Lia Formica, Victoria Lenze, Andrew Loughran, Thomas Jones, Simon Walter Miller, Julia A. Cole

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A low-cost, deployable, Rogallo-winged small uncrewed aircraft system was designed, fabricated, and flight tested. Wing design parameters were selected based on a combination of suggestions from the literature and practical concerns. Several deployment mechanisms were iteratively designed and fabricated using polymer additive manufacturing. Pitch and yaw control were accomplished through the use of a conventional empennage. Tail volume sizing methods were implemented with adjustments necessary to account for the unique configuration. Powered flight testing revealed the need for additional static margin to account for the underslung propulsion system. The final deployable system was capable of a glide lift-to-drag ratio of 4.2 at an airspeed of 24 ft/s with a stowed wing area of 0.75 ft2 for the price of a hobby-grade commercially available fixed-wing system augmented with the same avionics package.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624107047
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
EventAIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023 - San Diego, United States
Duration: Jun 12 2023Jun 16 2023

Publication series

NameAIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period6/12/236/16/23

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering

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