Unmanned Systems Technology 004 | Delair-Tech DT18 | Autopilots | Rotron RT600 | Unmanned surface vehicles | AMRC | Motion control | Batteries

58 T he Design and Prototyping Group (DPG) at the Advanced Manufacturing and Research Centre (AMRC), in South Yorkshire, UK, has built two fixed-wing UAVs to develop a design suitable for rapid additive manufacturing (AM) and explore the capabilities of some of the latest topology optimisation CAD software available to UAV manufacturers. The chosen design solution for both UAVs is a flying-wing airframe, a tailless fixed-wing craft with no definite fuselage and incorporating a shallow, merged wing-body profile. The design offers higher flying efficiency over standard aircraft designs thanks to its lower drag coefficient. It is not a new concept for a UAV and is currently used in several applications, including civilian surveillance and for military purposes. Development engineer and UAV designer at the DPG, John Mann, says, “The optimum configuration for the diverse requirements of aerodynamic performance and additive manufacture appeared to be the blended wing-body or flying wing design. This type of design has a number of advantages: primarily for this project, it lends itself to AM technology owing to the smooth leading and trailing edges over each half-span of the airframe.” Stewart Mitchell reports on research to develop a UAV concept that can be built using rapid additive manufacturing Making fast work Autumn 2015 | Unmanned Systems Technology The AMRC’s powered UAV prepared for catapult launch (Images courtesy of the AMRC)