Full Envelope System Identification of a VTOL Tailsitter UAV

Abstract

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-1054.vid This paper derives a nonlinear aerodynamic model of a tailsitter UAV. The model is valid over the entire flight envelope without utilizing any discrete switching between the vehicle's different flight regimes. This is achieved by detailed modeling of the propeller wing interaction together with the forces and moments generated by the propellers. The aerodynamic coefficients are then identified via nonlinear, time domain, grey-box parameter estimation using flight data alone, collected from both open and closed loop maneuvers by on-board sensors during extensive flight testing.

Topics & Concepts