Modeling and Control of Two GLMAV Hover-Flight Concepts
Abstract
The concept of a Gun Launched Micro Air Vehicle (GLMAV) is under study at ISL. A Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) packaged in a projectile is launched using the energy delivered by a portable weapon. When it reaches the apogee the projectile is transformed in such a way that the MAV becomes operational over the zone to be observed. Two scenarios are considered so that the operational site is situated either 100 m or 500 m away from the launch place and 100 m over the scene. The GLMAV platform with spread rotating blades would then allow the accomplishment of all the missions for which slow, fast or hover flights are necessary. One main mission is to observe the scene located below the vehicle and therefore, a very good stabilization of the GLMAV hover flight is necessary in order to acquire satisfactory images. A numerical simulation with the ANSYS CFX-11 code is proposed in order to compute the aerodynamic performances of a two coaxial contra-rotating rotor concept. It confirms that it is realistic to build a GLMAV based on two coaxial contra-rotating rotors revolving at 10.000 rev/min and having a mass near 0.60 kg. Two models proposing aeromechanical architectures appropriate for the guidance are discussed in detail. The navigation problem is also tackled and two solutions are under study. Finally, a closed-loop stabilizing controller for hover flight is computed and simulation results are presented.