Session: 06-01-02: General Aerospace-2

Paper Number: 167996

Design, Development and Operations of Weather Resistant Heavy Payload Multirotor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) 

In this project, the team is focused on designing and developing the All-Weather Drone III (KWAD III). The objective is to create, construct, and test a water-resistant Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in collaboration with a local industry partner. The customer specifications require the UAS to have a 15 km range, fly autonomously in a straight line, and carry a 2 kg payload. Additionally, the design must allow for scaling up to accommodate a larger payload in future iterations while maintaining the same UAS configuration. Students from high school to graduate level are involved in this project, performing engineering analyses such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, weight estimation, sizing calculations, performance analysis using Matlab, power calculations, and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) component trade studies and selection. Students also work on system integration, verification, and validation.

 

Research assistants play a key role in integrating and fabricating KWAD III parts using tools like miniature manual mills, drill presses, soldering irons, 3D printers, and hand tools. The team draws inspiration from previous KWAD systems and other COTS UAS models. Some parts of KWAD III are designed, fabricated, and tested in the lab, while others are selected from off-the-shelf components. These COTS parts include the frame, motors, Electronic Speed Controllers, carbon fiber propellers, LiPo battery packs, and more. The transmitter, which provides tracking, thermal imaging, and reporting capabilities, is repurposed from a prior senior design project, the Autonomous Tracking Thermal Imaging Mapping Module (ATTIMM).

 

One of the most innovative components in phase one is the aeroshell, which is currently being 3D printed. The aeroshell serves as both a weatherproof canopy to protect the electronics from rain and a drag-reducing cover when optimized and integrated into KWAD III. Several aeroshell designs are being tested, based on airfoil shapes that minimize drag during forward flight. Since the UAS is an octocopter, it pitches down for forward flight. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel testing are conducted on various design iterations, flown at different speeds and angles of attack, to determine the optimal design. In addition to the CFD analyses, and scaled model wind tunnel tests, several flights tests are conducted to validate the results obtained from the physics-based models and the CFD. The flight test data is gathered and performance is determined based on this data. This includes flight endurance, cruise speed, best angle of attack for various forward flights, range, and the aircraft’s ability to fly autonomously.

Presenting Author: Adeel Khalid Kennesaw State University

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Adeel Khalid is a Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering at Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Marietta, Georgia. He serves as the Interim Assistant Dean of Research in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. He is also the coordinator of the Aerospace Engineering minor. His expertise includes Multidisciplinary design and optimization of Aerospace systems. His industry experience includes working as a systems engineer at Avidyne Corporation. Dr. Khalid received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He holds Master of Science degrees in the discipline of Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, and Industrial, and Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. His research is focused on system level design optimization and integration of disciplinary analyses.

Authors:

Adeel Khalid Kennesaw State University
Preleigh Porter Kennesaw State University
Arvind Balakrishnan Kennesaw State University
Liam Begley Kennesaw State University
Jason Huffman Kennesaw State University
David W. Moore Kennesaw State University
Joseph Stanziano Kennesaw State University
Cole Taylor Kennesaw State University
Stewart Baker Kennesaw State University
Aaron Harcrow ULTool