Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Comprehensive Approach (Aiaa Education Series)

Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are revolutionizing the way we explore our global environment. Whether it’s to monitor severe weather events or used in a military operation, these machines and the components that operate them are changing the way we approach flight. In his book the author investigates all elements of UAS design, including architectural options, and design drivers across diverse systems classes. As the most authoritative single reference on UAS design, the book provides readers a solid understanding of the end-to-end unmanned aircraft system and gain a deeper appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of UAS design. - Data and information appearing in this book are for informational purposes only. AIAA and the author are not responsible for any injury or damage resulting from use or reliance, nor do AIAA and the author warrant that use or reliance will be free from privately owned rights. Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are revolutionizing the way we explore our global environment. Whether it's to monitor severe weather events or used in a military operation, these machines and the components that operate them are changing the way we approach flight. In his book, Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Comprehensive Approach, Jay Gundlach investigates all elements of UAS design, including architectural options, and design drivers across diverse systems classes. As the most authoritative single reference on UAS design, the book provides readers a solid understanding of the end-to-end unmanned aircraft system and gain a deeper appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of UAS design. Topics Discussed Approach for developing competitive, balanced unmanned aircraft systems through a multidisciplinary systems philosophy Extensive survey and analysis of unmanned aircraft launch and recovery techniques, along with selection and design processes Communication systems Derivations of electric aircraft performance equations Overview of mission planning system and control station software functionality Design of aircraft geometry and payload placement Overview of ground control station types and functionality Cost analysis Special Features Equations with solutions at the chapter level Graphics such as line drawings, plots, and images illustrate the problem formulation, communicate data, or highlight system design features Use of examples Case histories Content: Front Matter • Nomenclature • Acronyms • Preface • Table of Contents 1. Overview of Unmanned Aircraft Systems 2. Unmanned Aircraft Categories 3. Initial Unmanned-Aircraft Sizing 4. Unmanned-Aircraft Geometry and Configurations 5. Aerodynamics 6. Mass Properties 7. Structures 8. Propulsion Systems 9. Flight Performance 10. Avionics, Flight Software, and Subsystems 11. Launch and Recovery 12. Communication Systems 13. Physics of Remote Sensing and in situ Measurement 14. Missions and Payloads 15. Mission Systems Integration 16. Command, Control, Tasking, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination 17. Reliability, Maintainability, Supportability, and Transportability 18. System Synthesis and Mission Effectiveness 19. Cost Analysis 20. Product Definition and Requirements Development Index Investigates all elements of unmanned aircraft system (UAs) design, including architectural options, and design drivers across diverse systems classes. As the most authoritative single reference on UAS design, the book provides readers a solid understanding of the end-to-end unmanned aircraft system.