Primary Investigator:
James Goppert

Project Members
John Henry Slater, Braden Callaway, Natalia Zagata, Lillian Ji, Jonathan Cats​, Anish Paspuleti

This research focuses on the development and testing of autopilot systems for lightweight fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) within a controlled environment, utilizing the Purdue UAS Research and Test (PURT) facility. We propose a simple fixed-wing UAV using predominantly off-the-shelf components, replicating the characteristics of the Windracers fixed-wing aircraft, for comprehensive testing under various conditions. The aircraft utilizes an active LED marker board that is powered by the central battery and distinguishes and identifies individual aircraft, efficiently facilitating simultaneous operation of multiple units within the facility. The autonomous routine capabilities of the system are integrated with a nelly-constructed PID controller, which is simulated inside the Gazebo robotics simulation environment with a new high-quality 3D model of the aircraft. The integration of autopilot technology in lightweight unmanned fixed-wing aircraft holds significant potential for various applications, including surveillance, monitoring, and data collection in challenging environments. The results of this research contribute to the advancement of autonomous aerial systems, offering a platform for further developments in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.