High Speed UAV Homepage
Team Members
Matt Beisel - Team Leader
Brad Parrish
Brian Palmer
Jagpreet Singh Ahluwalia
Rhett Rushton
Steven Thorne
Travis Steneck
Problem Statement
The goal of this project is to design and build a high Speed UAV which can attain and maintain speeds of 250MPH to 300 MPH and weighs under 50 lbs.
Project Summary
The University of Utah’s High Speed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HSUAV) program is initializing a new program in UAV research. The project is divided into three primary phases: the design, construction and testing of the HSUAV.
The HSUAV’s primary focus is speed. Current UAV designs are focused on high altitudes, large payloads and endurance. These designs are effective for long range surveillance missions or delivering large payloads but are ineffective for close support due to their lumbering size, low speeds and high costs. The HSUAV project will create a vehicle capable of flying at 250 to 300 mph and weigh less than 50 pounds. The high speed and low weight of the HSUAV will increase avoidance capability and enable the vehicle to be easily transported and launched.
The HSUAV project is unique in that it is a culmination of coursework and studies over the past four years in mechanical engineering. The project encompasses design, manufacturing, strength of materials, controls and fluid mechanics. These all-encompassing aspects of the project will produce engineers with relevant experience in the aerospace industry.
The completed HSUAV will primarily focus on the following systems: Airframe, propulsion, control and manufacturing. The high speeds and small airframe will require a semi-autonomous controller to maintain stability during flight. To obtain high speeds, a small gas turbine will be needed for propulsion. The airframe design will be focused on creating a structure that is as stable as possible for high speed flight. Innovative manufacturing techniques and ideal materials will be explored to facilitate ease of manufacturing and accommodate design changes.
The total budget envisioned for the HSUAV’s design and construction is $10,700. This figure represents 60% of the HSUAV program’s operating budget. The remaining budget supports obstacles not yet envisioned as well as overhead costs. The HSUAV project accommodates future designs and ensures an ongoing UAV research program at the University of Utah.