DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF FIRST COLOMBIAN SHORT-RANGE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE FOR INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE

摘要

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Colombian oil company Ecopetrol and electric power companies were looking for a low-cost solution for surveillance of the pipeline network and high-voltage power grid threatened by terrorist groups. Based on this requirement AeroTech Research Group at Universidad de San Buenaventura designed and built the first short-range drone in Colombia for surveillance and reconnaissance. This paper describes the process of designing, building, and fly testing the unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) Navigator X-2. The project stated by determining a design criteria that meets the mission requirements and the challenges of operating the UAV from short soccer-sized fields in typical "hot n' high" conditions of the Andes region. Then, a conceptual design was proposed as a result of basic performance calculation and weight estimation, supported on available information on UAVs with similar characteristics and payload configuration. Furthermore, preliminary and detailed designs were carried out in four main areas: aerodynamics, structures, flight dynamics, and systems. The prototype was built using handmade molds to produce all the composites parts, and jigs for systems and aircraft assembly. Finally, after ground testing of all systems, the first flight was performed at a density altitude of 3200 m. Subsequent flights were carried out to configure the autopilot system and validate performance data. This R&D project demonstrated that specially tailored unmanned systems could be designed and built in-house to meet highly challenging mission requirements in areas with unique topographical conditions. Moreover, excellent handling qualities and performance requirements were achieved and validated during flight-testing. Although security has improved dramatically in the last few years and terrorist attacks to pipelines and electrical power grids were practically reduced to zero, the Navigator X-2 meets the requirements for new demands from industry, military, and law enforcement agencies.