Redesign of an experimental Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for its conversion into an operational laboratory platform

摘要

Following its maiden flight in 2016, the VANT SOLvendus of the Fundacion Universitaria Los Libertadores underwent the first iteration of design improvements. Various shortcomings of the design had been observed, including lack of torsional rigidity of the twin booms, limited transportability and maintainability. Furthermore, the damage incurred from just one flight demonstrated that attrition to the primary and secondary structure would make it difficult (if not impossible) to continue operating the platform for more than a handful of flights before a major overhaul would be necessary. Plans were therefore made to improve its design in preparation for its conversion into an operational laboratory platform. A tubular cross section was proposed as the replacement for the I-beams currently used for the twin boom structure and conceptual designs were developed for the implementation of this tubular structure into the current overall design. This article presents the technical analysis performed with regards to the rigidity of the new structure and its suitability in the design whilst also detailing the conceptual designs of the supporting structural components.