Technical Analysis Research: Aircraft Airframe Selection

Paper Details:

To accomplish the design project’s Outback Challenge mission, your first design topic to research is the Aircraft Selection – airframe (fixed wing or vertical takeoff and landing), engine/motor, and propeller/rotors. At this time do not include additional items like autopilots, camera, ground control stations, etc. You will add these items to the design later. You are building a custom UAS system for the purpose of Search and Rescue, and rescue package delivery, therefore do not select a complete system that is ready to fly as they are typically designed for recreational flying and will not work well for the mission. Complete ready to fly systems are typically too small to carry additional items, cannot be upgraded, and have other limitations like flight time and distance limits to accomplish the mission. If you do find a complete system with an airframe, engine/motor, and propellers/props that you feel will work as a good platform; make sure the other elements of the system can be upgraded, replaced or modified to develop your mission design. The intention of this design project is for students to build a specific UAS from scratch using off the shelf available components within a fixed budget, not to find a complete ready to fly system that cannot be upgraded to mission requirements. Your instructor is looking for the UAS to be designed for the mission, not just purchasing a ready to fly system with no design changes.Your entire UAS system cannot exceed $5K, so do not select an aircraft that costs more than your budget can afford as you have more system elements to add throughout the course. You are required to build your UAS from off the shelf items. Do not select a military system that you cannot build from components available on the civilian market.