Design and Development of a Fixed-Wing Tricopter Drone System for Agile Navigation and High Flight Efficiency
Integrating the Aerodynamic Efficiency of Fixed-Wing Aircraft with the Maneuverability of Tricopter Architecture for Effective Operation in Complex Environments
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Project Overview
This project presents a hybrid drone platform combining a fixed‑wing airframe with a three‑rotor (tricopter) propulsion system to achieve both long‑range efficiency and VTOL agility.
Key design and development features:
• Aerodynamic Optimization: Lightweight yet robust composite frame, streamlined wing profile, and variable‑pitch tail rotor for stability in hover and precision in forward flight.
• Hybrid Propulsion: Three‑rotor tricopter configuration for vertical takeoff/landing and agile yaw control, seamlessly transitioning to fixed‑wing cruise for high‑efficiency forward flight.
• Advanced Control: Nonlinear flight‑control algorithms fusing IMU, GPS, and altimeter data to maintain stable trajectories across wind disturbances and complex terrain.
• Versatile Mission Profiles: Capable of terrain mapping, lightweight cargo delivery, wide‑area surveillance, and dynamic hover‑to‑cruise mode switching for rapid response tasks.
Key Benefits
- Combines long-range, energy-efficient cruise flight with vertical takeoff/landing capability.
- Enhanced maneuverability and precise yaw control via variable‑pitch tail rotor.
- Robust nonlinear control ensures stable operation in GPS‑denied or windy conditions.
- Lightweight composite frame maximizes payload capacity and flight endurance.
- Flexible mission adaptability: mapping, surveillance, cargo delivery, and rapid mode switching.