Simultaneous UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and flight control system design

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to improve autonomous flight performance of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having actively sweep angle morphing wing using simultaneous UAV and flight control system (FCS) design. Design/methodology/approach: An UAV is remanufactured in the ISTE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Laboratory. Its wing sweep angle can vary actively during flight. FCS parameters and wing sweep angle are simultaneously designed to optimize autonomous flight performance index using a stochastic optimization method called as simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA). Results obtained are applied for flight simulations. Findings: Using simultaneous design process of an UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design, autonomous flight performance index is maximized. Research limitations/implications: Authorization of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkey is crucial for real-time UAV flights. Practical implications: Simultaneous UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design process is so beneficial for recovering UAV autonomous flight performance index. Social implications: Simultaneous UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design process achieves confidence, high autonomous performance index and simple service demands of UAV operators. Originality/value: Composing a novel approach to improve autonomous flight performance index (e.g. less settling and rise time, less overshoot meanwhile trajectory tracking) of an UAV and creating an original procedure carrying out simultaneous UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design idea.