Mechanical Design and Optimization of Swarm-Capable UAV Launch Systems

Abstract

This research is an exploration of the mechanical design and optimization of swarm-capable UAV launchers. Fully autonomous swarms are predicted to play a significant role in the future of war fighting, but the capability is currently limited by deficiencies in supporting technologies. Effectively launching a swarm of UAVs requires a departure from existing solutions due to the unique logistical and operational requirements specific to this use-case. This study highlights the systems engineering processes used to provide a solution that met all cost, schedule, and performance requirements for the stakeholders. The end result was the successful development and demonstration of a launching system prototype specifically developed to rapidly launch a high number of UAVs to support the swarming mission.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA632323

Entities

People

  • Raymond L. Davis

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Construction
  • Control Systems
  • Electric Motors
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Launching
  • Micro Air Vehicles
  • Systems Engineering
  • Tensile Strength
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Systems

Readers

  • Aerial Unmanned Vehicle Swarm Micro Periodontal Dentistry.
  • Software Engineering.
  • ballistics.