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COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT LEADS TO POTENTIALLY SWARMING VTOL UAVS

  • Magazine Feature Article
  • 15MOMP02_04
Published February 01, 2015 by SAE International in United States
Language:
  • English

The AVIGLE VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) unmanned aerial vehicle was developed via collaboration by a variety of entities for a variety of applications. RWTH Aachen University developed the drone's aerodynamic shape.

OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD, German aerospace engineers from industry and academia collaborated on the AVIGLE (Avionic Digital Service Platform) research project, described as a “widely applicable avionic service platform” with open interfaces. Schübeler Composite contributed to the project during design via its knowledge and experience in fluid-flow machines and lightweighting, while the aerodynamic shape of the AVIGLE drone was developed at the RWTH Aachen University.

The result of the collaboration is a UAV ready for use without infrastructure, and which addresses applications such as civil security, mobile communications, construction, GIS, and surveying, but also the entertainment market and the media. For takeoff and landing the wings are tilted 90° upward, so that the two propellers-normally responsible for propulsion-are turned into rotors for hovering. As such, the UAV does not need a runway and can be used in open terrain. Flying in a horizontal line in turn has the advantage that it is more energy efficient than a helicopter flight.