EnglishΕλληνικά
From-scratch fixed-wing UAV with custom-built composite wings and 4+ hour endurance
A completely custom fixed-wing UAV designed and built from scratch for long-endurance missions. The fuselage, wings, and structural details were all made for this aircraft rather than adapted from a commercial airframe. 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 in PETG from an original CAD design, balancing structural strength with low weight. The wings are cut from foam with a custom-built hot-wire cutting machine, which makes it possible to produce wings of any required profile, size, or length. Carbon rods run through the wings for stiffness, and fibreglass cloth with epoxy resin forms a lightweight, highly durable composite shell.
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.
