Session: Government Agency Student Posters

Paper Number: 173844

Modular Fixed‑wing Uav Platform for Cost‑effective Scientific Field Tests 

The growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for scientific research highlights the need for affordable, modular, and robust aerial platforms. Current UAV options typically fall into two categories: inexpensive hobby drones with very limited payload capacity or costly specialized UAV systems requiring complex composite manufacturing. To address this gap, the Scientific Workhorse for In-flight Field Tests UAV (SWIFT UAV) is proposed. It is a fixed-wing UAV specifically designed to support diverse scientific research missions, capable of carrying payloads up to 3 kilograms with approximately one hour of flight endurance.

The SWIFT UAV project aims to broaden accessibility to advanced aerial research tools across multiple scientific disciplines such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, and atmospheric studies. By simplifying manufacturing, reducing costs, and minimizing maintenance, SWIFT UAV allows institutions or research teams with limited resources for purchasing or manufacturing high-end drones to conduct advanced aerial data collection and experimentation.

A significant innovation of SWIFT UAV is its construction method, which integrates standard aluminum extrusions with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technologies. Although this approach increases structural weight compared to traditional composite materials, it significantly improves ease of assembly, modularity, and cost-efficiency. Rapid prototyping, straightforward maintenance, and ease of manufacturing and repair are key advantages, enabling quick alterations and upgrades to the UAV's configuration for mission-tailored designs.

The SWIFT UAV design incorporates a NACA 2412 airfoil, chosen for its favorable lift-to-drag ratio, with a straight taper wing design featuring a 2.64-meter wingspan. The wing structure includes aluminum spars for enhanced integrity, supporting substantial safety margins against structural failures. Aerodynamic analyses predict a cruise velocity of 25 m/s with an endurance of around 60 minutes using a 13 Ah LiPo battery. The propulsion system utilizes a X7215 eVTOL motor combined with a 22x10 propeller, providing ample thrust with minimal power consumption.

Current progress includes construction of a ground-test prototype to validate structural integrity, dynamic loading conditions, and system integration. Comprehensive aerodynamic assessments have guided the selection of optimal motor sizing and propeller configurations to ensure flight stability and control.

The SWIFT UAV represents a practical advancement in UAV-based scientific research by offering a cost-effective and adaptable platform tailored for diverse scientific missions. The successful integration of aluminum extrusions and additive manufacturing for UAV construction presents a scalable, accessible solution for high-performance aerial research applications. Future work will involve initial flight tests, payload deployment tests, and further aerodynamic optimization to enhance overall performance and reliability.

Presenting Author: Matthew Burnett University of South Carolina

Presenting Author Biography: Matthew Burnett is an undergraduate senior in the Aerospace Engineering Program at the University of South Carolina. In the last 3 years Matthew Burnett has worked on research topics including environmental monitoring, additive manufacturing, sustainable aviation fuel development with a focus on machine learning methodologies.

Authors:

Matthew Burnett University of South Carolina
Delbert Siuhi South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Aditya Anandkumar River Bluff High School
Austin Downey University of South Carolina