12.07.2015 Views

Comprehensive System Identification of Ducted Fan UAVs - Cal Poly

Comprehensive System Identification of Ducted Fan UAVs - Cal Poly

Comprehensive System Identification of Ducted Fan UAVs - Cal Poly

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CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION AND MOTIVATION1.1 Vehicles ExaminedInterest and application <strong>of</strong> ring-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles (<strong>UAVs</strong>) hasincreased within recent years. The military and commercial uses for a vehicle capable <strong>of</strong>hovering and forward flight while remaining small and unmanned are countless. Militaryoperations on urbanized terrain (MOUT) have become an area <strong>of</strong> concern for the UnitedStates military within recent years. An increased need for policing and securingurbanized areas has become apparent with the conflicts in Iraq and Mogadishu. It is thistype <strong>of</strong> environment that dictates the especially challenging design <strong>of</strong> small-scale <strong>UAVs</strong> 1 .Because <strong>of</strong> the nature <strong>of</strong> MOUT, precise station-keeping requirements and overallincreased risk <strong>of</strong> collision with obstacles are important. Add to that the need for small andback-pack carried vehicles and it becomes apparent why the ducted fan design isappealing. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) advancedconcept technology demonstrator (ACTD) projects yielded submissions which includedthe Kestrel organic air vehicle (OAV) and i-Star micro air vehicle (MAV). Figure 1.1shows the typical application <strong>of</strong> the OAV envisioned by the US Army.Figure 1.1 – Land Warrior OAV Concept- 1 -

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