Developing High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Abstract

Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is developing an electric-driven HALE UAV in order to secure system and operational technologies since 2010. Based on the 5 years of flight tests and design experiences of the previously developed electric-driven UAVs, KARI has designed EAV-3, a solar-powered HALE UAV. EAV-3 weighs 53 kg, the structure weight is 21 kg, and features a flexible wing of 19.5 m in span with the aspect ratio of 17.4. Designing the main wing and empennage of the EAV-3 the amount of the bending due to the flexible wing, 404 mm at 1-G flight condition based on T-800 composite material, and side wind effects due to low cruise speed, V_cr = 6 m/sec, are carefully considered. Also, unlike the general aircraft there is no center of gravity shift during the flight. Thus, the static margin cuts down to 28.4% and center of gravity moves back to 31% of the Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC) comparing to the previously developed scale-down HALE UAVs, EAV-2 and EAV-2H, to minimize a trim drag and enhance a performance of the EAV-3. The first flight of the EAV-3 has successfully conducted on the July 29, 2015 and the test flight above the altitude 14 km has efficiently achieved on the August 5, 2015 at the Goheung aviation center.

Development and Prospect of Wireless Power Transfer Technology Used to Power Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

“…In 2015, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) developed the solar-powered UAV EVA-3. With a wingspan of 20 m and a weight of 53 kg, it flew continuously for 9 h and reached a maximum altitude of 14.3 km [75].…”

Development and flight test of a manned electric propulsion lightweight airplane

“…According to this global trend, research to develop eco-friendly technologies such as electric power propulsion systems using fuel cells1 1,2 or high-altitude long-endurance UAVs using solar power is ongoing in relation to both domestic and foreign aviation. 3,4,5 A hybrid propulsion system that combines an existing gas turbine engine and an electric propulsion system has also recently attracted attention. 6,7 Additionally, Airbus is developing an airplane powered by hydrogen.…”

Novel Ge-Based Plasma TFET with High Rectification Efficiency for 2.45 GHz Microwave Wireless Weak Energy Transmission

“…Microwave wireless energy transfer systems have overcome the limitations of batteries and transmission lines and are now prevalent in many fields including biomedical, aerospace, and radar communication. Additionally, they are minimally affected by environmental factors and terrain, promising a wide range of future applications [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. The main microwave frequency in the Chinese environment is 2.45 GHz, but the energy density is mostly in the region of weak energy density, and the value of the input power that can be received is less than 0 dBm.…”