Biomimetic Design of Morphing Micro Air Vehicles

The goal of this STTR is to design UAVs capable of adaptively changing wing geometry utilizing novel active materials that overcome limitations of previous attempts at developing and implementing practical and operational relevant morphing concepts.The basic idea of a morphing aircraft wherein the vehicle changes its shape to optimally perform in multiple flight segments holds the promise of achieving unprecedented levels of efficiency. In contrast to prior efforts focused on large aircraft, smaller UAVs in the Puma/Raven class offer greater design freedom. With continuously shape changing wings, birds can efficiently handle different conditions encountered during flight; most importantly, we can exploit these designs to fly in urban canyons, indoor environments, and in highly turbulent wind conditions, which is difficult to do with current generation SUAVs. Building on Phase I work, we will conduct component tests in the lab and integration tests in a custom built, inexpensive iron-bird in Phase II. We will also conduct multiple wind tunnel tests at the USC Dryden Wind Tunnel and finally, in the last quarter of the 24 month program, flight test a morphing UAV incorporating the technologies developed in Phase II. We expect to achieve TRL = 5-6 by end of Phase II.