Autonomous performance maximization of research-based hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the autonomous performance optimization of a research-based hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e. HUAV) manufactured at Iskenderun Technical University. Design/methodology/approach To maximize the autonomous performance of this HUAV, longitudinal and lateral dynamics were initially obtained. Then, the optimum magnitudes of the autopilot system parameters were estimated by considering the vehicle's dynamic model and autopilot parameters. Findings After determining the optimum values of the longitudinal and lateral autopilots, an improved design for the autonomously controlled (AC) HUAV was achieved in terms of real-time flight. Originality/value In this paper, the autopilot systems (i.e. longitudinal and lateral) of an HUAV are for the first time simultaneously designed in the literature. This helps the simultaneous improvement of the longitudinal and lateral flight trajectory tracking performances.