Lighter-Than-Air and Pressurized Structures Technology for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Abstract

Several areas of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) performance need to be improved for the next generation of UAVs to be used successfully in expanded future combat roles. This report describes the initial research to improve the performance of UAVs through lighter-than-air or pressurized structures-based (PSB) technologies. Basically, we examined how to construct the UAV in such a way that a considerable percentage of its weight will be supported by or composed of inflatable structures containing air or helium. In this way, PSB technology will reduce the amount of energy required to keep the UAV aloft, thus allowing the use of smaller, slower, and quieter motors. Using PSB technology in tandem with improving technologies in electronics, energy storage, and materials should provide a substantial increase over current UAV performance in areas of need to the military.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA513823

Entities

People

  • Ainsmar Brown
  • Arthur Johnson
  • Beatrice Roget
  • Harris Edge
  • Jason C Collins
  • Michael Coatney
  • Nathan Slegers

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Design
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Energy
  • Energy Storage
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Inflatable Structures
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Energy
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Aerial Unmanned Vehicle Swarm Micro Periodontal Dentistry.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Structural Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Microelectronics