Custom fixed-wing UAV with 2.2m wingspan — 4+ hour endurance
A completely custom fixed-wing UAV built from scratch, designed for long-endurance missions. With a 2.2-metre wingspan, a peak motor power of 2 kilowatts, and the ability to glide for over 4 hours, the Harrier was built for endurance from the ground up.
The fuselage is fully 3D-printed using PETG, designed from scratch in CAD to balance structural integrity with weight savings. The wings are cut from high-density foam using a custom-built hot wire cutting machine, then reinforced with fibreglass cloth and epoxy resin to provide rigidity and durability. Both the body and wings received multiple layers of fibreglass layup, significantly increasing strength while maintaining a lightweight structure.
The Harrier's efficient airframe and carefully matched propulsion system allow it to stay aloft for extended periods. The 2 kilowatt motor provides ample thrust for takeoff and climb, while the clean aerodynamic design enables efficient cruise and exceptional glide performance. Glide endurance exceeding 4 hours makes it suitable for long-duration survey and observation missions.
The aircraft runs ArduPilot firmware on a Pixhawk flight controller, configured for fixed-wing operation with fully autonomous waypoint navigation, loiter, RTL (Return to Launch), and mission planning capabilities.
