A brief History of Unmanned AircraftTechnological Background

Dr. Berenice Mettler

University of Minnesota

Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13)

Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 1 / 15

Lecture Outline and Objectives

Outline

Overview

Readings and Material

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Introduction and Overview

Technological background of unmanned aircraft

What are the particular challenges–and opportunities–of small-scale unmannedaircraft

System’s perspective with a focus on dynamics and control

Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 3 / 15

Historical Overview

Early attempts

Figure: Sperry aerial torpedo, 1918

Figure: Dayton-Wright Liberty Eagle

Figure: Curtiss remote control airplane

Figure: V-1 rocket bomb

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Historical Overview

Highlights and Lessons

Early Challenges

Auto-stabilized vs. remote control

Development of gyroscopic stabilizationand autopilot

Servo actuators

Wireless communication

Early Applications

Gliders

Target

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Early Technology

Figure: Early navigation sensor: Sperry’sgyrocompass

Figure: Navy’s wireless remote controlledelectric dog

Figure: Autopilot: Sperry fly-by Paris, 1914

Figure: Draper, inventor of inertial navigation

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V-2 Rocket: Advent of Autonomous Guidance

Roll, yaw and pitch gyros were used toprovide inertial reference and providethe control inputs needed to maintainthe roll, pitch and yaw and steer therocket on a desired flight path.

The gyro outputs were fed to thecontrol vanes.

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The V-2 is one of the first system that embodies the components necessary forautonomous flight. In particular the implementation of feedback stabilization andgyroscopic guidance.

Full, inertial navigation, where the gyroscopes are coupled to accelerometers, camewith Draper (today’s Draper Lab). Draper lab was the main designer of the Apolloguidance system and ballistic missiles.

The first era of autonomous vehicles is dominated by missiles.

Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 9 / 15

Drivers of today’s

Since about 2000 several technological

Computational

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), e.g., inertial sensors

Affordable due to the widespread use in automobiles, smart-phones, computers, etc.(economy of scale)

Grown into complex hybrid systems combining electrical, digital, mechanical,aerodynamic components.High-level of autonomy, robotic aircraft.

Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 10 / 15

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

Miniaturized aircraft

Small payload limits type and qualityof sensors

Wind magnitude can be as high asairspeed

Opportunities

Design does not have to accommodate forcrew:

Wide range of airframe types andconfigurations

No concerns for human physiologicallimitations and piloted handlingqualities

Design can emphasize taskrequirements

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Solution and Design Philosophy

Effective guidance and control laws: exploit maneuverability, reject/disturbances

Detailed understanding and modeling of the flight mechanics

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System’s Perspective

What it means?

Mathematical model of all components and aerodynamics

Integration of the components into a overall model

Simulation and analysis of the overall system behavior and performance

Insights can be used to modify characteristics of individual components

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System’s Perspective

Example General System Architecture

Note

Components can also include software, e.g. flight control laws

...

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References

For images and historical background see [1].

L.R. Newcome.Unmanned aviation: a brief history of unmanned aerial vehicles.Aiaa, 2004.

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