WingSpan: A Novel Expanding Wing Design for Enhanced SAR Versatility

Abstract

Advancements in search and rescue (SAR) drone design have offered life-saving support to thousands of people around the world. Current drone technology typically favors flight time or maneuverability through the respective use of fixed-wing and quadrotor drones, however, in many instances, both features may be required. The goal of this project is to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle that is capable of achieving the benefits of both of these vehicle categories for enhanced versatility in SAR missions.

This thesis presents the design and analysis of WingSpan, a novel tailless UAV featuring a wing system that can expand to produce lift during long-distance aerial searches and retract to access confined spaces at low altitude. The design of the extended configuration proposes a tailless wing made from a symmetrical NACA 0016 airfoil profile, with a swept and tapered design to improve flight stability. Lifting-line theory simulations revealed that this design produces sufficient lift, indicating its effectiveness in improving flight time and increasing efficiency. In addition, FEA simulations indicated that the expanding mechanism could withstand standard operating loads without failure, while weighing less than 2 kg in total. Although theoretical in nature, this thesis aims to provide a foundation for further development and prototyping of morphing UAV platforms tailored to real-world SAR applications.