Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Unmanned Aircraft Systems delivers a much needed
introduction to UAV System technology, taking an integrated
approach that avoids compartmentalising the subject. Arranged in
four sections, parts 1-3 examine the way in which various
engineering disciplines affect the design, development and
deployment of UAS. The fourth section assesses the future
challenges and opportunities of UAS.

Technological innovation and increasingly diverse applications
are two key drivers of the rapid expansion of UAS technology. The
global defence budget for UAS procurement is expanding, and in the
future the market for civilian UAVs is expected to outmatch that of
the military. Agriculture, meteorology, conservation and border
control are just a few of the diverse areas in which UAVs are
making a significant impact; the author addresses all of these
applications, looking at the roles and technology behind both fixed
wing and rotorcraft UAVs.

Leading aeronautical consultant Reg Austin co-founded the
Bristol International Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) conferences in
1979, which are now the longest-established UAS conferences
worldwide. In addition, Austin has over 40 years' experience in the
design and development of UAS. One of Austin's programmes, the
"Sprite UAV System" has been deployed around the world and operated
by day and night, in all weathers.

Auteur
Leading aeronautical consultant Reg Austin co-founded the Bristol International Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) conferences in 1979, which are now the longest-established UAS conferences worldwide. In addition, Austin has over 40 years' experience in the design and development of UAS. One of Austin's programmes, the "Sprite UAV System" has been deployed around the world and operated by day and night, in all weathers.

Résumé
Unmanned Aircraft Systems delivers a much needed introduction to UAV System technology, taking an integrated approach that avoids compartmentalising the subject. Arranged in four sections, parts 1-3 examine the way in which various engineering disciplines affect the design, development and deployment of UAS. The fourth section assesses the future challenges and opportunities of UAS. Technological innovation and increasingly diverse applications are two key drivers of the rapid expansion of UAS technology. The global defence budget for UAS procurement is expanding, and in the future the market for civilian UAVs is expected to outmatch that of the military. Agriculture, meteorology, conservation and border control are just a few of the diverse areas in which UAVs are making a significant impact; the author addresses all of these applications, looking at the roles and technology behind both fixed wing and rotorcraft UAVs.

Leading aeronautical consultant Reg Austin co-founded the Bristol International Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) conferences in 1979, which are now the longest-established UAS conferences worldwide. In addition, Austin has over 40 years' experience in the design and development of UAS. One of Austin's programmes, the "Sprite UAV System" has been deployed around the world and operated by day and night, in all weathers.

Contenu

Foreword xiii

Acknowledgements xiv

Series Preface xv

Preface xvii

Units and Abbreviations xix

1 Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 1

1.1 Some Applications of UAS 1

1.2 What are UAS? 3

1.3 Why Unmanned Aircraft? 5

1.4 The Systemic Basis of UAS 9

1.5 System Composition 9

References 15

Part 1 THE DESIGN OF UAV SYSTEMS 17

2 Introduction to Design and Selection of the System 19

2.1 Conceptual Phase 19

2.2 Preliminary Design 20

2.3 Detail Design 20

2.4 Selection of the System 20

3 Aerodynamics and Airframe Configurations 25

3.1 Lift-induced Drag 25

3.2 Parasitic Drag 26

3.3 Rotary-wing Aerodynamics 29

3.4 Response to Air Turbulence 32

3.5 Airframe Configurations 34

3.6 Summary 42

References 43

4 Characteristics of Aircraft Types 45

4.1 Long-endurance, Long-range Role Aircraft 45

4.2 Medium-range, Tactical Aircraft 55

4.3 Close-range/Battlefield Aircraft 59

4.4 MUAV Types 66

4.5 MAV and NAV Types 68

4.6 UCAV 70

4.7 Novel Hybrid Aircraft Configurations 71

4.8 Research UAV 74

References 74

5 Design Standards and Regulatory Aspects 75

5.1 Introduction 75

5.2 United Kingdom 76

5.3 Europe 88

5.4 United States of America 88

5.5 Conclusion 89

References 89

6 Aspects of Airframe Design 91

6.1 Scale Effects 91

6.2 Packaging Density 93

6.3 Aerodynamics 94

6.4 Structures and Mechanisms 95

6.5 Selection of power-plants 101

6.6 Modular Construction 106

6.7 Ancillary Equipment 112

References 112

7 Design for Stealth 113

7.1 Acoustic Signature 114

7.2 Visual Signature 115

7.3 Thermal Signature 116

7.4 Radio/Radar Signature 117

7.5 Examples in Practice 118

Reference 126

8 Payload Types 127

8.1 Nondispensable Payloads 128

8.2 Dispensable Payloads 141

Reference 141

9 Communications 143

9.1 Communication Media 143

9.2 Radio Communication 144

9.3 Mid-air Collision (MAC) Avoidance 151

9.4 Communications Data Rate and Bandwidth Usage 151

9.5 Antenna Types 152

References 154

10 Control and Stability 155

10.1 HTOL Aircraft 155

10.2 Helicopters 159

10.3 Convertible Rotor Aircraft 163

10.4 Payload Control 165

10.5 Sensors 165

10.6 Autonomy 167

References 167

11 Navigation 169

11.1 NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) 169

11.2 TACAN 170

11.3 LORAN C 170

11.4 Inertial Navigation 171

11.5 Radio Tracking 171

11.6 Way-point Navigation 172

References 172

12 Launch and Recovery 173

12.1 Launch 173

12.2 Recovery 177

12.3 Summary 181

13 Control Stations 183

13.1 Control Station Composition 183

13.2 Open System Architecture 185

13.3 Mini-UAV 'Laptop' Ground Control Station 185

13.4 Close-range UAV Systems GCS 186

13.5 Medium- and Long-range UAV System GCS 190

13.6 Sea Control Stations (SCS) 195

13.7 Air Control Stations (ACS) 195

14 Support Equipment 197

14.1 Operating and Maintenance Manuals 197

14.2 Consumables 198

14.3 Replaceable Components 198 &...