DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF UAV LAUNCHER

The demand of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle launcher is increasing rapidly as it eliminates the need of a runway to takeoff the UAV, provides better safety to the operator and also ensures that the system will provide a good control on the repeatability of initial parameters like take-off velocity, accele

Project Title

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF UAV LAUNCHER

Project Area of Specialization

Mechanical Engineering

Project Summary

The demand of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle launcher is increasing rapidly as it eliminates the need of a runway to takeoff the UAV, provides better safety to the operator and also ensures that the system will provide a good control on the repeatability of initial parameters like take-off velocity, acceleration, and angle of attack This project aims to design and fabricate the launcher for an unmanned aerial vehicle of maximum take-off mass of 15 kg. The launcher mechanism is selected based on the multi-criteria decision analysis. Considering this, we have performed Analytic Hierarchy Process through which we found out that the Pneumatic Launcher is the most suitable system. A complete model of Pneumatic UAV Launcher is modelled on Simulink to achieve the suitable operational parameters. The rail and carriage system is designed based on dynamic and structural analysis using FEA. Testing of the launching mechanism will be performed to monitor the repeatability of the UAV launching parameters.

Project Objectives

In this project, we will design and fabricate a launching mechanism that can safely launch a UAV having a mass of 15 kilograms categorized as Mini UAV. The aim of this project is to develop a UAV launcher that can launch a UAV without the need of a runway. The prime focus of this project is to cover all the attributes in our design which includes cost, safety of the operator, availability of the components, low maintenance but not compromising on the operational capabilities of the launcher i.e., control and repeatability of initial parameters such as initial velocity, acceleration, and angle of attack etc. The energy required for launching any device can be obtained through various mechanisms such as an elastic cord[4], [13–15], energy stored in a flywheel[10], compressed gas[10, 16–18], accumulators[4, 19], electromagnetic induction and through rockets. The selection of mechanism will be made by performing a multi-criteria analysis of the design attributes. The design process of the UAV launcher will involve the dynamic and structural analysis of the rail and carriage of the selected launching mechanism. In Addition, topology optimization will be performed to reduce the weight of the metallic structure. After finishing the design process, our job will be to fabricate the selected UAV launcher.  Moreover, we would add the maintenance plan, operational guide and safety protocols that should be acquired during the operation of the launcher.

Project Implementation Method

First of all, we have selected mechanism of launching device from a number of mechanisms and pnematic mechanism was selected.Also the design was made on the basis of pnematic operation. Topology optimization was done on the structure also.

Benefits of the Project

The use of UAVs have seen a remarkable surge in the last decade with increase of applications in wide variety of fields including surveillance, aerial mapping, tree plantation, crop spraying and payload carrying etc. Even non-traditional fields such as e-commerce stores, restaurants etc. are also trying to utilize UAVs as part of their operation. Additionally, UAVs have also proved themselves very useful in the situation of natural disasters like in 2017, UAVs overcame the consequences of Hurricane Harvey by providing the medical equipment to the victims.

According to the UAV global market, Between 2018 and 2029, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of roughly 9.6 percent to reach some 70 billion dollars worldwide. Since the use of UAVs is continuously increasing, the use of UAV launchers is expanding as it saves the energy (fuel, electricity), while on the other hand increases the endurance of the UAV. Moreover, the launcher provides better safety to the operator, can be carried out easily and provides initial conditions such as acceleration, velocity and angle of attack. Launchers make is possible to launch the UAV within a very short distance and eliminates the need of runway that eventually lower the cost to operate the UAV. The Launcher also provides assistance to launch the UAV from anywhere i.e. remote areas, rough terrains etc. Therefore, the UAVs could reach easily to the places where there is any trouble or emergency

In future prospective, according to Susan Eustis research study, the launchers can make it possible to eliminate the need of airports. Considering this, the use of UAV launcher becomes significant

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

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Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Security

Other Industries

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

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