Unmanned Systems Technology 005 | Selex ES Falco UAV | Sense and avoid systems | RCV Engines DF70 | DSEI show report | Fuel cells | CUAV Expo, InterDrone and CUAV Show reports | SLAM

24 Dossier | Selex ES Falco UAV performance factors between the various options, once each had been optimised at the design stage. Overall, a traditional approach with high aspect-ratio wing and twin booms carrying the tail was considered preferable to anything less conventional. One consideration in favour of a conventional architecture was stability of the centre of gravity in the face of differing payloads and the intrinsic flexibility of the twin-boom architecture in providing suitable structural ‘break’ points for disassembling and storing the aircraft. Moreover, the twin-boom architecture almost decouples the aerodynamic design from other aspects (weight and balance, propulsion), providing some degrees of flexibility and growth capability during the whole lifecycle of the product, as in the development of the Falco EVO from the original Falco XN. The Falco’s engine directly drives a pusher propeller, which means it can be mounted at the rear of the fuselage, with the propeller located between the twin booms that run back from the wing to carry the tail assembly. This drive arrangement is structurally sound, and clearly it provides more nose payload options than the alternative of having the engine and propeller up front. This drive arrangement is also seen as beneficial in terms of overall aerodynamics and of putting the engine close to the craft’s centre of gravity, facilitating the installation of alternative engine solutions. One drawback though was the proximity of the propeller to Falco’s centrally located emergency landing parachute. The parachute is released through a door in the top of its compartment, which is situated just ahead of the engine compartment; it will tend to be pulled rearwards when released. In fact, its door is hinged at the rear, and its design has been optimised to protect the Dec 2015/Jan 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology The Falco’s landing gear allows it to taxi as per a regular aircraft The parachute is released through a door in the top of its compartment; it will tend to be pulled rearwards when released