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Development of a micro air vehicle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

S. Watkins
S. Watkins*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering RMIT University, Australia
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Abstract

The aerodynamic characteristics of five planar flying wing plan-forms suitable for micro air vehicles (MAVs) are investigated via a series of wind-tunnel tests. The external boundary of the five plan-forms result from slender carbon fibre (CF) struts under various degrees of buckling. The maximum lift/drag ratios were similar for all the (quite different) shapes but the stall characteristics were found to be markedly different. Results are presented of cross-plane traverses detailing the wake vector field and turbulence characteristics for two of the planforms at conditions close to stall. A MAV, based on mylar-covered buckled CF struts, is described. The MAV utilises elevon control based on modified commercially available micro radio control systems.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 107 , Issue 1068: The UAV Special Issue , February 2003 , pp. 117 - 123
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2001 

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