Engines for Small Propeller-Driven RPVs. Report of Sub-Group A of AGARD Working Group on Propulsion and Power Supplies for Unmanned Vehicles. Volume I.

摘要

In this report engines in the power range up to 100 hp are studied for application into small propeller-driven RPVs. From an inventory of existing engines, it is found that a number of two- and four-stroke piston engines in this power class are available, but most of them will not fulfill the requirements for RPV-applications with respect to reliability, quality control, noise vibrations, etc. Up till now no other types of shaft-power engines are available for application to small RPVs although turboshaft engines and possibly also electrically-driven propellers might offer advantages for some missions. For payloads between 10 and 50 kg and flight endurances of up to 3 hours some parametric calculations are presented for fixed-wing rotary-wing vehicles, to illustrate vehicle sizes and engine power requirements. Some recommendations are given for the future development of piston- and turbo-shaft engines suitable for propeller-driven RPVs, emphasizing the need for Demonstrator Engine Programs. Data on actual and projected engines and some typical specifications are added in appendici. (Author)