Название: Unmanned Aircraft Design: Features of Design Process
Автор: Longbiao Li, Dmytro Tiniakov
Издательство: Springer
Год: 2026
Страниц: 282
Язык: английский
Формат: pdf (true), epub
Размер: 20.7 MB

This book provides a comprehensive overview of UAVs, encompassing both fixed-wing and copter-type configurations. It offers a detailed analysis of the potential applications of UAVs, complemented by a comparative study of their distinct characteristics. Additionally, this book delves into the intricate design process of drones and elucidates the impact of configuration on their functionality. This book presents analytical dependencies that can be readily applied in practice to UAV design. Numerous examples are provided, accompanied by numerical solutions and graphical explanations, which facilitate comprehension. The current state of Airworthiness regulations for UAVs is still in the preliminary stage of development. In this book, an analysis was conducted for drone safety and existing Airworthiness rules in various countries. This book is a good reference for industrial drone designers, and drone researchers from research institutions and universities.

In just a few short decades, drones have evolved from military tools to ubiquitous devices reshaping industries, hobbies, and even humanitarian efforts. What was once the realm of science fiction is now an everyday reality—UAVs delivering packages, monitoring crops, inspecting infrastructure, and capturing breathtaking aerial footage. The civil drone revolution is here, and its potential is only beginning to unfold. This book explores the branch of drones beyond the battlefield—their designing, manufacturing, technological advancements, safety issues, regulatory challenges, and transformative applications across diverse fields. From agriculture to filmmaking and disaster response to logistics, drones are proving to be more than just flying cameras; they are powerful tools driving efficiency and innovation and even saving lives.

The book’s primary contents are as follows:

• The initial chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the historical background, contemporary conditions, and future prospects of UAV technologies. In the absence of a comprehensive understanding of the engineering principles underlying drones and an accurate assessment of the demands of the UAV market, the development of high-efficiency drones will encounter significant challenges.
• The second chapter of the book provides a comprehensive overview of the design process for UAVs. A fundamental aspect of this process entails a comprehensive understanding of the limitations and diverse requirements associated with drones. In the contemporary era, there exists a multitude of long-standing traditions and established principles that must be given due consideration during the process of technological development. UAVs represent a novel branch of engineering. However, its origins are firmly embedded in the domains of aviation, shipbuilding, and space exploration, among others. The objective of this chapter is to explore the application of extant knowledge and skills to novel concepts, with the aim of enhancing efficiency.
• The third chapter of this book delineates the fundamental principles that must be taken into consideration when selecting a power plant for a given class of UAVs. In the modern time, the industry has the capacity to propose a wide range of engines and motors, with several novel types of engines on the horizon. This chapter delineates the various components of power plants utilized for drones.
• The fourth chapter is dedicated to the aerodynamic aspects of UAVs. As previously mentioned, the aerodynamic performance of flying vehicles is a critical factor. The primary objective of this chapter is to elucidate the methodology for evaluating and implementing aerodynamic requirements for a range of UAVs.
• The fifth chapter of this book is devoted to an examination of the structural characteristics of unmanned flying vehicles. The fundamental distinction between conventional aircraft and drones lies in the absence of a human operator on board the former. This specific represents a significant stride forward in the realm of aviation, particularly with regard to the advancement of flying vehicles. The primary objective of this chapter is to deliberate on the safety requirements and the structural integrity of drone frames.
• In Chap. 6, the reader is presented with a comprehensive overview of the various methodologies that can be employed to facilitate the takeoff and landing processes for UAVs. In the modern era, a variety of methodologies have been developed for the configuration of drones. Consequently, engineers have numerous options for the organization of takeoff and landing procedures. The objective of this chapter is to analyze such methods and determine their application for UAVs.
• The subject of Chap. 7 is the description of the particulars of control systems for UAVs. The absence of a pilot on board has been demonstrated to exert an influence on the control process of drones. This is of particular importance during periods of autonomous flight. The objective of this chapter is to elucidate the fundamental principles of the control process for UAVs.
• A close examination of Chap. 8 reveals a significant correlation with Chap. 7. Navigation constitutes a component of the control process. The contemporary environment is characterized by the presence of satellites and inertial systems. These systems have the capacity to ensure the reliability of navigation for UAVs. The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the methodologies employed for their implementation.
• The ninth chapter of this book is devoted to an in-depth discussion of the manufacturing process of UAVs. Due to the wide range of sizes in UAVs, spanning from micro- to large-scale dimensions, and the diverse requirements for different purposes, the manufacturing process of UAVs is characterized by its own unique set of characteristics. The chapter is devoted to elucidating the aforementioned subjects.
• The tenth chapter is dedicated to the testing and validation of UAVs. As has been previously outlined, the fundamental characteristics of a drone are predicated on its capacity for autonomous flight, a capability that is made possible by the absence of a pilot on board the flying vehicle. This feature imposes stringent requirements on the safety and reliability of UAVs in general and their constituent components in particular. In such conditions, it is imperative that the testing process yield reliable results that validate the safety indicators of UAVs.
• The final chapter is devoted to an exposition of the process of developing airworthiness regulations, with particular emphasis on the various types of UAVs and the intricacies of regional politics within the aviation safety sector. The UAV industry is in its nascent stages. Presently, aviation regulatory agencies are endeavoring to establish a reliable legal foundation for the future safe development of the drone industry.

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