Maziar Arjomandi

Nayan Uday Avalakki

Jonathan Bannister

Benjamin John J. Chartier

Travis Mark Downie

Brad Alexander A. Gibson

Crystal Rhiannon Gottwald

Peter Ian Moncrieff

Michael Scott Williams

Search and rescue UAV

Maziar Arjomandi, Nayan Uday Avalakki, Jonathan Bannister, Benjamin John J. Chartier, Travis Mark Downie, Brad Alexander A. Gibson, Crystal Rhiannon Gottwald, Peter Ian Moncrieff and Michael Scott Williams

This honours project involves the design and construction of an autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The aircraft has been designed for civil applications such as surveillance or search and rescue missions by incorporating imaging equipment and payload deployment capabilities.

The multipurpose platform has been configured to take part in the Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automations UAV Outback Challenge to be held in Queensland in September, 2007. For successful entry into this challenge, the UAV must demonstrate the ability to locate and assist a human lost in the Australian outback. A broad study of similar UAVs indicated a conventional design was most suitable for the platform.

The aircraft is manufactured primarily from composite materials using a female mould process. The wings, spanning two metres have a foam core with carbon fibre spars. An electric power plant delivering 4 kilograms of static thrust powers the aircraft with a predicted maximum speed of 120km/hr and an endurance of one hour. The control system incorporates a Micropilot 2028 autopilot enabling autonomous flight and remote communication over a range of 10 kilometres. An analogue camera, mounted in the rear of the aircraft will stream images over a 10 kilometre range with 450 TV lines and a 70 degree field of view.

Testing has been conducted for a parachute recovery system and a descent rate of 5.5 m/s is expected. When launched from a car the aircraft will also be capable of deploying a 600 gram payload.

We would like to thank our sponsors:

• The University of Adelaide
• Thales Australia
• The Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund
• Nupol Composites
• City Holden
• J&H Williams Holdings
• Alexander Sails
• Foamfast