The Development of a Small-Scale PPG-UAV for Emergency Response Actions

In this paper is shown the development processes of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that can be used for remote sensing, logistics or other emergency actions. The UAV is an ultralight aerial unit with an adaptable mission configuration. Thus, the configuration can be tailored to the type of intervention: observation, logistics, detection of certain personnel that are using Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) equipped with radio ID transponders etc. The UAV is in fact a scaled down Powered Paraglider (PPG). The PPG-UAV uses a textile wing manufactured from a low weight double rip-stop nylon 6.6 fabric with extra coatings for air permeability reduction and added UV protection. The paraglider is linked with an Automated Command and Control (ATC) unit designed with increased modularity in mind allowing rapid reconfiguration based on the nature of the intervention. In this paper we summarize the fabric development followed by the paraglider pre-dimensioning, simulation using a numerical experimental model. The process is conducted on computer software developed within our institute. After the design phase the virtual prototype is preloaded for CNC cutting of the wing patterns, prototype assembly. The prototype is validated using computational algorithms combined with live testing in either static tests and/or simulated emergency live situations.