Fixed-Wing VTOL Micro Air Vehicle

摘要

The purpose of this Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) design project was to develop a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) MAV that incorporates all the necessary components for autonomous flight in the smallest possible airframe and to design an efficient manufacturing process for producing this airframe. The final aircraft will need to complete a series of flights that will test its maneuvering, surveillance, and autonomous capabilities. This flight tests include both outdoor and indoor flights, one of the main focuses of the project was to design the MAV such that it could transition to and from hovering flight and conventional horizontal flight. The airframe was designed to incorporate a new manufacturing scheme that would minimize build time and error while increasing product quality. Fulfilling the flight envelope requirements stated in the project goals has involved extensive component research and testing, as well as an aerodynamic analysis of the airfoil. Selective laser sintering (SLS) manufacturing technology was chosen in order to meet construction goals. The MAV’s capabilities and precise airframe construction should not only serve as a potential product for both military and civil surveillance use.