Development of model-embedded air data instrumentation and sensor integration for advanced unmanned aircraft

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The global market for UAVs has been growing very rapidly, driving forward technology in automation, batteries, materials and measurement. However, one area in which technology appears to be lagging is in air data gathering: the development of probes and sensors which are robust enough to survive rough handling and environmental extremes, and which are capable of providing measurements of velocity, incidence, sideslip, and other critical parameters to the flight data computer. UAV airframers must currently select between large and heavy aircraft Pitot systems and low-quality and unreliable low-cost systems for the hobby market. The purpose of this project, therefore, is to develop the models and data assimilation techniques required to use air data sensors for the specific conditions uniquely experienced by UAVs, and to use these models in a coupled airframe-sensor optimization process to design the next generation of distributed, airframe-integrated air data sensors.