For DDC-Micro 2023, Team Arrow aimed to develop a high-lift UAV with enhanced stability and efficient
structural design. The team's focus was on creating a UAV that was not only easy to fly and control but also
capable of withstanding the rigors of multiple flights and landings.
A. Wing and Fuselage Design
The team incorporated a cranked dihedral wing planform, which significantly improved the roll stability of
the UAV.
This design made the aircraft:
- Easier to fly and control.
- More stable during turns and maneuvers.
The fuselage featured a squared semi-monocoque structure, offering:
- Lightweight yet durable construction.
- Increased impact resistance during belly landings.
- Ample space for electronics and payload integration.
- The square shape added robustness to the UAV, ensuring it could handle rough
landings without compromising performance.
Challenges and Iterative Design Solutions
During development, the team faced design challenges with the wing mounting mechanism and fuselage.
For the wing mounting, a slotted locking mechanism was tested but proved unreliable. The team opted for a
wing nut assembly for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of use.
The fuselage underwent multiple iterations. Space frame and circular semi-monocoque designs performed poorly
in belly landings, leading to the adoption of a squared semi-monocoque fuselage for better stability. XPS
foam was added to the belly to absorb impact and protect internal components.
Performance Improvements and Optimization
Building on past lessons, the team made key improvements to enhance UAV efficiency and performance.
- Wing Mounting: Wingnuts were introduced for quick, easy attachment, streamlining
pre-flight assembly.
- Aerodynamics: Airfoil variation across the wingspan improved stability, lift
distribution, and aerodynamic efficiency.
- Structural Optimization: Aeroply shear webs replaced heavy aluminum rods,
maintaining strength while reducing weight for better flight performance.
Key Takeaways and Achievements
The DDC-Micro 2023 project highlighted Team Arrow's commitment to iterative design, stability, and
efficiency. Through consistent testing and improvements, the team successfully:
- Enhanced roll stability with the cranked dihedral wing design.
- Simplified and strengthened the wing mounting mechanism using wing nuts.
- Improved belly landing durability with XPS foam protection.
- Reduced aircraft weight by replacing heavy aluminum rods with lightweight aeroply
shear webs.
- Increased assembly efficiency, enabling quicker pre-flight preparation.
Team Arrow's DDC-Micro 2023 UAV showcased a well-engineered blend of stability, durability, and efficiency.
The combination of innovative wing design, lightweight construction, and streamlined assembly processes
significantly enhanced the UAV’s performance. This project demonstrated the team's ability to adapt,
iterate, and optimize through continuous experimentation, paving the way for future UAV advancements.
