Description
Book SynopsisUnmanned Aircraft Systems delivers a much needed introduction to UAV System technology, taking an integrated approach that avoids compartmentalising the subject. Arranged in four sections, parts 1-3 examine the way in which various engineering disciplines affect the design, development and deployment of UAS.
Trade Review“This book review is part of the Practical Industrial Applications series on Startup Business Book Reviews, providing quality book reviews of the business books that matter.” (Will Roney, 3 September 2012)
"Overall, the book is a useful guide to the wide subject of unmanned aircraft and will sit comfortably on the shelves of both interested amateur and experienced professional." (RAeS Aerospace Professional magazine, 1 April 2011)
Table of ContentsForeword xiii
Acknowledgements xiv
Series Preface xv
Preface xvii
Units and Abbreviations xix
1 Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 1
1.1 Some Applications of UAS 1
1.2 What are UAS? 3
1.3 Why Unmanned Aircraft? 5
1.4 The Systemic Basis of UAS 9
1.5 System Composition 9
References 15
Part 1 THE DESIGN OF UAV SYSTEMS 17
2 Introduction to Design and Selection of the System 19
2.1 Conceptual Phase 19
2.2 Preliminary Design 20
2.3 Detail Design 20
2.4 Selection of the System 20
3 Aerodynamics and Airframe Configurations 25
3.1 Lift-induced Drag 25
3.2 Parasitic Drag 26
3.3 Rotary-wing Aerodynamics 29
3.4 Response to Air Turbulence 32
3.5 Airframe Configurations 34
3.6 Summary 42
References 43
4 Characteristics of Aircraft Types 45
4.1 Long-endurance, Long-range Rˆole Aircraft 45
4.2 Medium-range, Tactical Aircraft 55
4.3 Close-range/Battlefield Aircraft 59
4.4 MUAV Types 66
4.5 MAV and NAV Types 68
4.6 UCAV 70
4.7 Novel Hybrid Aircraft Configurations 71
4.8 Research UAV 74
References 74
5 Design Standards and Regulatory Aspects 75
5.1 Introduction 75
5.2 United Kingdom 76
5.3 Europe 88
5.4 United States of America 88
5.5 Conclusion 89
References 89
6 Aspects of Airframe Design 91
6.1 Scale Effects 91
6.2 Packaging Density 93
6.3 Aerodynamics 94
6.4 Structures and Mechanisms 95
6.5 Selection of power-plants 101
6.6 Modular Construction 106
6.7 Ancillary Equipment 112
References 112
7 Design for Stealth 113
7.1 Acoustic Signature 114
7.2 Visual Signature 115
7.3 Thermal Signature 116
7.4 Radio/Radar Signature 117
7.5 Examples in Practice 118
Reference 126
8 Payload Types 127
8.1 Nondispensable Payloads 128
8.2 Dispensable Payloads 141
Reference 141
9 Communications 143
9.1 Communication Media 143
9.2 Radio Communication 144
9.3 Mid-air Collision (MAC) Avoidance 151
9.4 Communications Data Rate and Bandwidth Usage 151
9.5 Antenna Types 152
References 154
10 Control and Stability 155
10.1 HTOL Aircraft 155
10.2 Helicopters 159
10.3 Convertible Rotor Aircraft 163
10.4 Payload Control 165
10.5 Sensors 165
10.6 Autonomy 167
References 167
11 Navigation 169
11.1 NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) 169
11.2 TACAN 170
11.3 LORAN C 170
11.4 Inertial Navigation 171
11.5 Radio Tracking 171
11.6 Way-point Navigation 172
References 172
12 Launch and Recovery 173
12.1 Launch 173
12.2 Recovery 177
12.3 Summary 181
13 Control Stations 183
13.1 Control Station Composition 183
13.2 Open System Architecture 185
13.3 Mini-UAV ‘Laptop’ Ground Control Station 185
13.4 Close-range UAV Systems GCS 186
13.5 Medium- and Long-range UAV System GCS 190
13.6 Sea Control Stations (SCS) 195
13.7 Air Control Stations (ACS) 195
14 Support Equipment 197
14.1 Operating and Maintenance Manuals 197
14.2 Consumables 198
14.3 Replaceable Components 198
14.4 Vulnerable and On-condition Components 198
14.5 Tools 198
14.6 Subsidiary Equipment 199
15 Transportation 201
15.1 Micro-UAV 201
15.2 VTOL Close-range Systems 201
15.3 HTOL Close-range Systems 201
15.4 Medium-range Systems 202
15.5 MALE and HALE Systems 203
16 Design for Reliability 205
16.1 Determination of the Required Level of Reliability 206
16.2 Achieving Reliability 208
16.3 Reliability Data Presentation 210
16.4 Multiplexed Systems 212
16.5 Reliability by Design 213
16.6 Design for Ease of Maintenance 216
17 Design for Manufacture and Development 217
Part 2 THE DEVELOPMENT OF UAV SYSTEMS 221
18 Introduction to System Development and Certification 223
18.1 System Development 223
18.2 Certification 224
18.3 Establishing Reliability 224
19 System Ground Testing 227
19.1 UAV Component Testing 227
19.2 UAV Sub-assembly and Sub-system Testing 228
19.3 Testing Complete UAV 230
19.4 Control Station Testing 236
19.5 Catapult Launch System Tests 237
19.6 Documentation 237
20 System In-flight Testing 239
20.1 Test Sites 239
20.2 Preparation for In-flight Testing 240
20.3 In-flight Testing 242
20.4 System Certification 243
Part 3 THE DEPLOYMENT OF UAV SYSTEMS 245
21 Operational Trials and Full Certification 247
21.1 Company Trials 247
21.2 Customer Trials and Sales Demonstrations 248
22 UAV System Deployment 249
22.1 Introduction 249
22.2 Network-centric Operations (NCO) 251
22.3 Teaming with Manned and Other Unmanned Systems 252
23 Naval Roles 253
23.1 Fleet Detection and Shadowing 254
23.2 Radar Confusion 254
23.3 Missile Decoy 255
23.4 Anti-submarine Warfare 255
23.5 Radio Relay 256
23.6 Port Protection 256
23.7 Over-beach Reconnaissance 257
23.8 Fisheries Protection 257
23.9 Detection of Illegal Imports 257
23.10 Electronic Intelligence 257
23.11 Maritime Surveillance 258
23.12 Summary 258
24 Army Roles 259
24.1 Covert Reconnaissance and Surveillance 259
24.2 Fall-of-shot Plotting 261
24.3 Target Designation by Laser 261
24.4 NBC Contamination Monitoring 263
24.5 IED and Landmine Detection and Destruction 266
24.6 Electronic Intelligence 266
24.7 Teaming of Manned and Unmanned Systems 266
24.8 System Mobility 266
24.9 Persistent Urban Surveillance 267
25 Air Force Roles 269
25.1 Long-range Reconnaissance and Strike 269
25.2 Airborne Early Warning 269
25.3 Electronic Intelligence 269
25.4 Pre-strike Radar and Anti-aircraft Systems Counter 270
25.5 Interception 270
25.6 Airfield Security 270
26 Civilian, Paramilitary and Commercial Roles 273
26.1 Aerial Photography* 273
26.2 Agriculture 273
26.3 Coastguard and Lifeboat Institutions 274
26.4 Customs and Excise 275
26.5 Conservation 275
26.6 Electricity Companies 275
26.7 Fire Services 276
26.8 Fisheries 276
26.9 Gas and Oil Supply Companies 277
26.10 Information Services 277
26.11 Local Civic Authorities 277
26.12 Meteorological Services* 277
26.13 Traffic Agencies 277
26.14 Ordnance Survey 278
26.15 Police Authorities* 278
26.16 Rivers Authorities and Water Boards 278
26.17 Survey Organisations 278
26.18 Communications Relay 278
26.19 Landmine Detection and Destruction 279
26.20 Other Applications 279
References 279
Part 4 UAS FUTURE 281
27 Future Prospects and Challenges 283
27.1 Introduction 283
27.2 Operation in Civilian Airspace 284
27.3 Power-plant Development 288
27.4 Developments in Airframe Configurations 292
27.5 Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence 299
27.6 Improvement in Communication Systems 301
References 301
28 UAV Systems Continuing Evolution 303
28.1 Introduction 303
28.2 Cruise Missiles 304
28.3 World War II Systems 305
28.4 The 1950s 306
28.5 The 1960s 306
28.6 The 1970s 308
28.7 The 1980s 309
28.8 The 1990s 311
28.9 The 2000s 312
28.10 The 2010s 315
28.11 Into the Future 316
Appendix A: UAS Organisations 319
A.1 Conferences 319
A.2 Industry Associations 319
A.3 Press Organisations 320
A.4 Useful Websites 320
A.5 Test Site Facilities 320
A.6 Regulators 321
Index 323
