FWTB (Fixed Wing Test Bed)

Background 

Fixed Wing Test Bed (FWTB) is a project team contracted by UCI’s UAV Forge to assist in designing a new UAV model separate from the current UAV Forge’s hexacopter. UAV Forge participates in a yearly competition called AUVSI SUAS and is required to fly a UAV that can complete an airdrop task or an object detection and mapping task. The airdrop task requires the UAV to drop a 4 lb UGV from a height of at least 100 ft. The object detection and mapping task requires the UAV to take pictures of the area, detect objects and classify them, and use the pictures taken to create a map of the area. FWTB was tasked with the objective to design and test a fixed-wing testbed that can implement and complete both sets of tasks so that it can be used in future AUVSI SUAS competitions by UAV Forge.

Goal and Objectives

The goal of this project is to design, test, and analyze a fixed-wing modular testbed capable of autonomous flight and waypoint navigation. Based on the guidelines generated by the sponsors, this project team should fabricate a fixed-wing test-bed that can provide flight-time and behavioral insights as to the performance of fixed-wing aircraft in comparison to the competition aircraft reference. The testbed should also be able to test different parts of the mission demonstration outlined in the AUVSI SUAS competition rulebook.

Current Progress

The team was able to complete the design and fabrication of the aircraft. The team was able to verify that the aircraft can fly, however it suffered a crash. The main problem was with the mechanism that attaches the wing to the fuselage. Once that mechanism is redesigned, the aircraft will be ready to fly again!

Future Plans

FWTB will be integrated into UAV Forge next year and the aircraft will be used to test and prove systems.

Sponsor/Advisor: Dr. David Copp (dcopp@uci.edu)