Mission Oriented Multi-Prop UAV Analysis Using Statistical Design Trends

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for the sizing and preliminary analysis of Multi-Prop UAVs. The methodology is founded on design trends that emerge from a vast and unique database that has been collected for such vehicles. The database includes geometry parameters, components’ weight, the power required, and flight performance estimation. For a given mission, the analysis enables optimization of a specific design of a Multi-Prop configuration for either minimal weight or minimal dimensions. As opposed to low-order and relatively simple analyses that are typically used in early design stages, the results presented in this paper include design trends and correlations within existing flying configurations and, therefore, contain many design constraints that typically emerge only during advanced stages of the design process.

Enhancement Opportunities for Conceptual Design in Aerospace Based on the Advanced Morphological Approach

“…The configuration of the aircraft obtained in the conceptual design stage is numerically simulated and modified in the preliminary design. In most cases, preliminary design approaches are based on development trends derived from databases and statistics [2]. However, this is not the case when aiming to develop innovative aircraft configurations, since breakthrough technologies lack experimental and statistical data.…”

“…Along with heuristic methods, morphological analysis (MA) is used during the conceptual design phase [2,6]. It allows the generation of a significantly wider space of possible problem solutions than conventional methods such as brainstorming and helps to avoid the aforementioned conceptual design challenges.…”