Quantifying Autonomous Soaring on a Surveillance and Communications Relay Mission
Abstract
A notional surveillance and communications relay mission places a demand on an unmanned aircraft's available energy supply. Autonomous soaring algorithms and solar photovoltaic systems both provide a means to extract energy from the environment (from thermal updrafts and solar radiation respectively) to extend endurance beyond the aircraft's stored energy limits. Furthermore, multiple aircraft can improve their soaring success by sharing information. This report describes a demonstration system that combines multiple coordinated aircraft, each with autonomous soaring algorithms and integrated solar-photovoltaic power systems. Flight testing with two aircraft is planned to quantify the notional mission performance when both autonomous soaring and solar power systems are used.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 18, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1079350
Entities
People
- Aaron D. Kahn
- Daniel J. Edwards
- David A. Scheiman
- Phillip P. Jenkins
- Sam V. Carter
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory