The modular UAV is an experimental aircraft designed to be able to support a wide range of research projects. These include variable aircraft stability, sense and avoid technologies, autopilot algorithm development, and nonlinear flight control. The aircraft is powered by two electric motors, generating 6 kW of power and has in its current configuration a wing span of four meters and can carry a payload of 10 kg. With such a payload, the UAV has an endurance of 45 minutes.
The modular UAV is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology and is being managed by the Maraka Institute. The airframe was designed, and the prototype test flying is being undertaken, by the aeronautics systems competency of the CSIR. The autopilot has been developed by the engineering systems laboratory of the University of Stellenbosch. The UAV is the first part of a two-part project. The second part, currently under development, is a UAV systems integration laboratory. This laboratory will simulate the UAV system and its flight characteristics, using data from test flights and from wind tunnel tests. One UAV airframe and its autopilot will form part of the laboratory’s hardware. The laboratory will provide the ability to test new technologies regarding UAVs in an environment that is controlled but realistic, before any flight is undertaken.
The current plant is to produce four modular UAVs, namely a wind tunnel model, a flying prototype (the aircraft demo'd last Thursday), and two production aircraft to support research programs. One of the production aircraft will be operated by the CSIR and the other by the University of Stellenbosch.
(Source: Creamer Media's Engineering News)