Low Fidelity VTOL UAV Design Optimization Using an Open Source Framework

TL;DR

This paper presents a low fidelity design and optimization framework for an all-electric VTOL UAV with long-range surveillance capabilities, utilizing open source tools and comparing with commercial alternatives.

Contribution

It introduces a fully open source workflow for designing and optimizing a VTOL UAV, highlighting challenges and differences from commercial software.

Findings

Successful design of a 1kg payload UAV for 100 km range

Open source tools can effectively replace commercial software in UAV design

Identified key limitations and advantages of open source frameworks

Abstract

An all-electric unmanned aerial system with both VTOL and Fixed wing capabilities is designed and optimized for long range surveillance and relief operations. The UAV is equipped with onboard computers and sensors and is capable of carrying 1kg of relief payload upto 100 Km. The entire low fidelity design process -- from concept to render -- is carried out using completely open source tools, libraries and in-house code. The challenges faced and primary differences are discussed parallelly. A comparison with commercial codes and programs is also done in some areas to give an overview of key capabilities and caveats.