Design of a Ballistically-Launched Foldable Multirotor

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel foldable multirotor system that is ballistically launched from a barrel and transitions to controlled flight midair, enhancing deployment reliability and operational range in complex environments.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new deployable multirotor design that combines ballistic launch with midair unfolding, enabling reliable takeoff and extended deployment options.

Findings

Successful field testing from a moving vehicle at 50mph

Demonstrated aerodynamic stability and deployment reliability

Validated the feasibility of midair transition from launch to flight

Abstract

The operation of multirotors in crowded environments requires a highly reliable takeoff method, as failures during takeoff can damage more valuable assets nearby. The addition of a ballistic launch system imposes a deterministic path for the multirotor to prevent collisions with its environment, as well as increases the multirotor's range of operation and allows deployment from an unsteady platform. In addition, outfitting planetary rovers or entry vehicles with such deployable multirotors has the potential to greatly extend the data collection capabilities of a mission. A proof-of-concept multirotor aircraft has been developed, capable of transitioning from a ballistic launch configuration to a fully controllable flight configuration in midair after launch. The transition is accomplished via passive unfolding of the multirotor arms, triggered by a nichrome burn wire release mechanism. The design is 3D printable, launches from a three-inch diameter barrel, and has sufficient thrust to carry a significant payload. The system has been fabricated and field tested from a moving vehicle up to 50mph to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of the concept and experimentally validate the design's aerodynamic stability and deployment reliability.