What is a UAV? Unmanned Aerial Vehicle An aircraft that does not have a human pilot on board

1. Aerial Firefighting: Today’s Design, Tomorrows Future Abstract UAV Technology Design function The purpose of this study is to successfully create an acceptable conceptual design for an unmanned aerial vehicle that has cost and functional effectiveness in combatting wildfires. The basis of this project is to eliminate the risk to human life, have faster and task optimized aerial firefighting aircraft, and to create a more cost effective operation. In the last century, the amount of acres burned by wildfires has been on an exponential rise, the financial cost of wildfire suppression is increasing, and unfortunately, the cost of human life has also risen. As of July 8th, 2013, almost 2 million acres have been burned, billions of dollars in damage have been caused, and far too many lives have been lost. Even with one of the most tragic and destructive fire seasons in history, the United States is continuing federal budget cuts which restrict the U.S. Forest Service aerial firefighting spending. Through theoretical analysis, a conceptual design which met the necessary specifications was conceived. Preliminary performance calculations have confirmed that the UAV design selected would be capable of performing the necessary tasks applicable to a firefighting mission. Our design features a fixed wing, medium sized, single engine aircraft. The hull design allows for water surface skimming to refill water tanks on a nearby water source, dramatically increasing the amount of water dropped onto the fire in a given period of time. The medium payload capacity of 1000 gallons is an exceptional quantity for an aircraft of this size and it far surpasses any manned aircraft with similar dimensions. In addition, the 9 hour endurance allows for flights to and from the water source without constant refueling which is extremely important in efficient aerial firefighting. • What is a UAV? • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle • An aircraft that does not have a human pilot on board • How are they used today? • Military operation • Firefighting • Police • Border Patrol Optimized Design Matrix After our original matrix yielded a superior design separated from another design by only 0.8%, a decision was made to create an optimized matrix to arrive at the most effective design possible. Below are the design definitions and results of the optimized design matrix, which yielded a design 3% more effective than the other designs. Water Intake and Dispersion systems The water intake system contains probes that extend down into the water while skimming. The probes face against the water and uses the velocity to directly fill the water tanks. While in flight, the probes retract into the aircraft to minimize drag and to close the water tanks. The water dispersion system is a hydraulic drop door under the tanks that is controlled by the autopilot or UAV operator. This system is capable of adjusting the quantity and rate at which water is dropped. Conclusion This firefighting UAV design is efficient and safer than current aerial firefighting aircraft that are similar in size. The medium frame and payload of 1000 gallons allows flexibility in operation . Also, the endurance along with the water system allows for constant firefighting, which is one of the most important features of an unmanned firefighting aircraft. This design has the potential to save time, money, and lives in the fight against wildfires. Airframe Design • High wing structure • Conventional (inverted T) tail • Designed for low speed subsonic flight • Integral Payload Tanks • Fuel tanks in wing structure • Powered by Pratt and Whitney PT6A Turboprop engine • NACA 2412 airfoil • Hull design for lower fuselage to allow water skimming(like a boat) History of Aerial Firefighting • Sixteen years after the Wright brothers first flight in 1903, aircraft were used for fire reconnaissance. • By the 1950s, the first modern air tankers were developed for use by the U.S. Forest services. • Surplus WWII aircraft were adapted for firefighting because of availability, strength, speed and maneuverability, and payload capabilities. • Modern aerial firefighting involves helicopters and air tankers. • Air tankers are supplied with water on the ground or in flight by skimming water from a nearby water source. • Helicopters are supplied with water via ground or by local water source. • Aircraft use three different resources to fight wildfires: smokejumpers, water, or retardant. • Modern retardant is more effective than water, and is also environmentally friendly. Vehicle Specifications • 700-1000 BHP engine • Maximum Gross Weight: 13,000 lbs • Minimum Take Off Distance: 2442 ft • Cruise Speed: 183 mph • Basic Empty Weight: 3500 lbs • Minimum Landing Distance: 1764 ft • Vso (max weight stall speed)- 88.3 mph • Vlo(liftoff speed)- 106 mph • Vno(normal operating speed)- 183 mph • Vso (minimum weight stall speed)- 65.3 mph • Vt (touchdown speed)- 84.8 mph Sponsors: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) NASA New York City Research Initiative (NYCRI) Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) New Jersey Space Grant Consortium(NJSGC) Contributors: Dr. Siva Thangam, PI Prof. Joseph Miles, PI Abraham Aviles, UG Christopher Kennedy, UG Anthony Peri, HSS