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Overview: Our task was to create an unmanned aircraft to be implemented as a search and rescue vehicle in remote areas. On average, 2,250 people disappear in Alaska each year. Nicknamed the Last Frontier, Alaska is known for its ultra-rugged terrain and particularly harsh winters, which can produce white-out blizzard conditions and extreme wind chill temperatures.
Overview: Our task was to create an unmanned aircraft to be implemented as a search and rescue vehicle in remote areas. On average, 2,250 people disappear in Alaska each year. Nicknamed the Last Frontier, Alaska is known for its ultra-rugged terrain and particularly harsh winters, which can produce white-out blizzard conditions and extreme wind chill temperatures.
After a storm subsides and search and rescue efforts can be applied, many of the state's frontage roads can be inaccessible for days or even weeks before snowplows can provide access. With Alaska having one of the lowest rates for resolving missing people cases, many individuals are left stranded for dead with no hope of recovery.
After a storm subsides and search and rescue efforts can be applied, many of the state's frontage roads can be inaccessible for days or even weeks before snowplows can provide access. With Alaska having one of the lowest rates for resolving missing people cases, many individuals are left stranded for dead with no hope of recovery.
Being able to take full advantage of limited flight hours, without having to land and refuel, to cover the expansive mountain ranges from a bird's-eye view can be the difference between finding someone dead or alive. The following aircraft design outlined can give hope to families who have experienced a loved one go missing.
Being able to take full advantage of limited flight hours, without having to land and refuel, to cover the expansive mountain ranges from a bird's-eye view can be the difference between finding someone dead or alive. The following aircraft design outlined can give hope to families who have experienced a loved one go missing.
Figure 1: Coefficient of Lift (2D & 3D) vs. Angle of Attack
Figure 1: Coefficient of Lift (2D & 3D) vs. Angle of Attack
Figure 1: The following graph presents the 2D and 3D lift curves for our aircraft. These values were calculated through XFLR5 analysis.
Figure 2: Power Available, Required, & Excess vs. Altitude
Figure 2: Power Available, Required, & Excess vs. Altitude
Figure 2: This graph shows Altitude vs. Power Available, Required, and Excess. It is important to note that this graph only holds validity until the intersection of power available and power required, as excess power cannot be negative.
Figure 3: Project Report
Figure 3: Project Report
Airplane Design Project Report.pdfFigure 3: Full Project Report. Open pdf in separate window for best viewing experience.
What:
What:
Led a team of engineering students through the conceptual aircraft design process
Designed a UAV that can successfully locate missing people in expansive wilderness locations
Developed aircraft design and performance specifications to maximize loiter time
How:
How:
Utilized XFLR5 to generate airfoil data and validate appropriate aircraft dimensions and weight fraction estimations
Wrote a 350-line MATLAB script to quickly iterate design specifications and validate all performance metrics of our aircraft
Utilized SolidWorks to pull exact spatial measurements to increase the accuracy of our calculations and visually propose our aircraft
Results:
Results:
Designed an aircraft that can loiter, on paper, for 56 hours
Received class-high grade for attention to detail and accuracy
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