• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

This paper elaborates on the directional axis guidance and control algorithm used in mission flight for high altitude long endurance UAV. First, the directional axis control algorithm is designed to modify the control variable such that a strong headwind prevents the UAV from moving forward. Similarly, the guidance algorithm is designed to operate the respective algorithms for Fly-over, Fly-by, and Hold for way-point flight. The design outcomes of each guidance and control algorithm were confirmed through nonlinear simulation of high altitude long endurance UAV. Finally, the penultimate purpose of this study was to perform an actual mission flight based on the design results. Consequently, flight tests were used to establish the flight controllability of the designed guidance and control algorithm.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.489-496
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• 2022

This paper introduces the system for KAU-SPUAV, which is designed and developed by Korea Aerospace University, and verifies its performance through flight test. Specification of two versions of KAU-SPUAV, avionics system, and Ground Control System (GCS) are introduced. Three missions are performed with suggested UAVs: LTE signal mapping, circumnavigation of Jeju island seashore, and long endurance flight. Each mission consists of long distance and long endurance flight which takes advantage of KAU-SPUAV. Research team of KAU-SPUAV confirmed its versatility through suggested flight data. Also based on flight results, the team found the potential of performance improvement of KAU-SPUAV.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

In the present study, we conducted the research on the high efficiency propulsion system for the development of long-endurance UAV with an electric propulsion system. For the long endurance UAV, fair aerodynamic characteristics with the high efficiency of the propulsion system is required because the flight power and the duration time of the long-endurance UAV vary greatly depending on the efficiency of the propulsion system. Therefore, in this study, the tracking program which records the performance of motor, propeller was developed because of their wide variation in the efficiency depending on the using condition, and records from the existing flight test program were utilized to check the accuracy of the program we had developed. For the development of future long-endurance solar UAV, we confirmed the applied voltage of motor, the optimal rotation of propeller and the gear ratio of reduction gear in order to get the highest efficiency on the propulsion system at the optimal flying condition.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.32-38
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• 2014

Sufficient energy charging during a day is essential for a solar-powered long-endurance aircraft. Variations of flight path that is superior to a basic circle path are sought in this study for more efficient charging. Flight path associated with roll and pitch attitudes are investigated. It seems that the pitch angle can play more important role than the roll angle for the solar charging efficiency. Thus, more energy charging is observed when the entire flight path is tilted toward the direction of the sun.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2012.03a
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• pp.313-318
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• 2012

In the present study, the preliminary study on a small solar-powered RC airplane are performed for the development of a long-endurance solar-powered UAV. Solar energy enables the solar-powered UAV to fly longer or eternally. The solar-powered UAV transfers the solar energy to electric energy and this energy is used for the flight and the battery charge. To increase the flying time, the efficiency of the solar-cell power system must be increased and the required power for flight must be minimized. Hence, the system integration including solar cell and controller, the power system design, and the aerodynamic and structural designs of the UAV is very important. The present study have performed the design, manufacture, and flight test of the small solar-powered UAV for the preliminary study of the long-endurance solar-powered UAV. From this study, the system integration technology of the solar-powered UAV design is established, and the possibility and the issue points for the development of the long-endurance solar-powered UAV are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.35-43
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• 2016

UAV has been promoted for practical use in the field of civilian and military. Recently, UAV is required high-specification performance such as long-term flight and precision observation. Among these UAVs, High Altitude Long Endurance UAV(HALE UAV) has been developed for the purpose to replace some of the functions of the satellite such as meteorological observation, communications and internet relay while flying a long period in the stratosphere. In order to fly a long period in harsh environment of the stratosphere, aircraft needs high Lift-Drag-Ratio and weight reduction of the structure. This paper performed the structural analysis for fuselage and empennage of HALE UAV. Critical loading conditions for structural analysis are acquired from flight load analysis and finally the results of structural sizing for weight reduction is presented.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.867-873
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• 2008

Model based virtual Flight Control System construction is essential for Fly-by-Wire Flight Control System verification & validation(V&V) of concurrent engineering base. We researched the concept of dual-architecture system for virtual system construction, and analyzed Flight Control System that is applied to high altitude long endurance(HAE) UAS. Finally, we constructed the model based virtual Flight Control System with system analysis and achieved system verification about flight critical failure modes. Analysis target is RQ-4A.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2024

This paper addresses the enhancement of long-endurance solar-powered aircraft through the integration of a rechargeable battery and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller. Traditional long-endurance aircraft often rely on non-renewable energy sourcessuch as batteries orjetfuel, contributing to carbon emissions. The proposed system aims to mitigate these environmental impacts by harnessing solar energy and efficiently managing its storage and utilization. The MPPT controller optimizes the power output of photovoltaic cells, enabling simultaneous charging and discharging of the battery for propulsion and servo control. A prototype is presented to illustrate the practical implementation and functionality of the proposed design, marking a promising step towards more sustainable and enduring solar-powered flight.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.311-324
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• 2015

This study presents computational analyses for low-drag aerodynamic design that are applied to modify a long-endurance UAV. EAV-2 is a test-bed for a hybrid electric power system (fuel cell and solar cell) that was developed by the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) for use in future long-endurance UAVs. The computational investigation focuses on designing a wing with a reduced drag since this is the main contributor of the aerodynamic drag. The airfoil and wing aspect ratio of the least drag are defined, the fuselage configuration is modified, and raked wingtips are implemented to further reduce the profile and induced drag of EAV-2. The results indicate that the total drag was reduced by 54% relative to EAV-1, which was a small-sized version that was previously developed. In addition, static stabilities can be achieved in the longitudinal and lateral-directional by this low-drag configuration. A long-endurance flight test of 22 hours proves that the low-drag design for EAV-2 is effective and that the average power consumption is lower than the objective cruise powerof 200 Watts.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2016

In the stratosphere, the air is stable and a photovoltaic (PV) system can produce more solar energy compared to in the atmosphere. If unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fly in the stratosphere, the flight stability and efficiency of the mission are improved. On the other hand, the weakened lift force of the UAV due to the rarefied atmosphere can require more power for lift according to the weight and/or wing area of the UAV. To solve this problem, it is necessary to minimize the weight of the aircraft and improve the performance of the power system. A regenerative fuel cell (RFC) consisting of a fuel cell (FC) and water electrolysis (WE) combined PV power system has been investigated as a good alterative because of its higher specific energy. The WE system produces hydrogen and oxygen, providing extra energy beyond the energy generated by the PV system in the daytime, and then saves the gases in tanks. The FC system supplies the required power to the UAV at night, so the additional fuel supply to the UAV is not needed anymore. The specific energy of RFC systems is higher than that of Li-ion battery systems, so they have less weight than batteries that supply the same energy to the UAV. In this paper, for a stratospheric long-endurance hybrid UAV based on an RFC system, three major design factors (UAV weight, wing area and performance of WE) affecting the ability of long-term flight were determined and a simulation-based feasibility study was performed. The effects of the three design factors were analyzed as the flight time increased, and acceptable values of the factors for long endurance were found. As a result, the long-endurance of the target UAV was possible when the values were under 350 kg, above 150 m² and under 80 kWh/kg H₂.