Fixed Wing UAV – StealthWing

Fixed Wing UAV – StealthWing

Fixed Wing UAV – 100 Km Range

Fixed Wing UAV (as opposed to ‘multi-rotor’, i.e. helicopters) use a wing like a normal aeroplane to provide the lift rather than vertical lift rotors. Because of this they only need to use energy to move forward, not hold themselves up in the air, so are much more efficient.

For this reason they are able to cover longer distances, map much larger areas, and loiter for long times monitoring their point of interest. In addition to the greater efficiency, it is also possible to use gas engines as their power source, and with the greater energy density of fuel many fixed-wing UAVs can stay aloft for 16 hours or more.

The main downside of a fixed-wing aircraft is obviously their inability to hover in one spot, which rules them out for any general aerial photography work. This also makes launching and landing them a lot trickier, as depending on their size you can need a runway or catapult launcher to get them into the air, and either a runway, parachute or net to recover them safely again at the end.

 

Fixed Wing UAV – Specifications

RPAS Type
Fixed Wing UAV – StealthWing Series sailplane glider aircraft using long-range RC Control and Mission Planner ground control software.

RPA Structure
Carbon/fiberglass pod-and-boom configuration with EPO Foam wings and empennage

RPA Composition
Detachable empennage and fuselage section with detachable wings.

RPA Dimensions/measurements and mass together with drawings
Max take-off weight: 4.5kg Wingspan: 2.4m
Length: 1.3m

Mass and Balance
Weight: 4.2kg
COG: 95mm +- 10mm behind root leading edge

StealthWing1

Fixed Wing UAV – StealthWing Payloads (Specific or generic)

EO Zoom Camera or Thermal imaging camera. Other electronic detection payloads can be fitted into the aircraft

Use of Frequencies
C2 link utilities 433Mhz. Primary control utilizes 2.4 GHz

  • Remote Pilot Station
  • Mission Planner running on windows based pc/notebook
  • Ground Support Equipment

All equipment and spares are contained in the RPS vehicle. This includes the following equipment:

– Battery Charger
– Telemetry Radio
– RPS
– Weather Station
– Fire Fighting Equipment
– Full suite of spares
– Tools
– Generator
– Electrical supply

  • Flight Recovery System
  • Skid Landing
  • Glide on engine out

StealthWing2

Fixed Wing UAV – Performance Characteristics

Maximum Altitude
Maximum altitude is unknown. CAA Limited to 500m AGL

Maximum Endurance
120 Minutes

Maximum Range
100km

Airspeed (take off, cruise, landing, stall, maximum)
Take Off 10.5 m/s Cruise 12.5 m/s Landing 10.2 m/s Stall 9.2 m/s Maximum 23 m/s

Maximum Rate Of Climb
3 m/s

Maximum Rate Of Descent
2 m/s

Maximum Bank Angle
35 Degrees

Turn Rate Limits
Not available

Propulsion System
Brushless Motor. 2 x 6800mah Li-ion Battery in parallel.

3

Fixed Wing UAV – Performance Capabilities and Limitations

RPA Performance Limitations
Not operable in rain or hail. Maximum operable wind is 12.5 m/s.

Required Take-off and Landing Distances and/or area
Capable of landing on grass / veld, dirt road and tar. Take Off: +- 15m
Landing: +- 50m (Wind dependent)

Flight Control Surfaces and actuators Ailerons: Independent Single Servos

  • Elevator: Single Servo
  • Rudder: Single Servo
  • Flaps: Independent Single Servos

Location of all air data sensors, antennas, radios and navigation equipment Auto

Pilot: Located in main fuselage below wing root leading edge. Pitot: Mounted on right wing of aircraft
Barometer: Located in Auto Pilot Module
GPS: Located in fuselage
Radio: Located in tail section ahead of empennage
Sensor Data Antenna: Mounted on top of aircraft above wings.
C2 Antenna: Diversity antenna mounted on each, on vertical and horizontal stabilizer.

Epiphany Operations works as an enhancement of traditional physical security systems or as a stand alone solution. Our solutions are available through equipment purchase and lease, adding your personnel trained by us, or as fully turnkey systems.