UNIT I- INTRODUCTION TO UAV

History of UAV
1. Early Concepts (19th Century): The concept of unmanned flying machines can be traced
back to the 19th century. The first recorded use of a UAV-like device was in 1849 when the
Austrian Empire attacked Venice with unmanned balloons loaded with explosives.
2. World War I: The first major use of UAVs came during World War I. Both the British and
the Americans developed primitive forms of UAVs for military reconnaissance purposes.
One notable example is the Kettering Bug, an early American UAV designed for bomb
dropping.
3. World War II: UAV technology advanced further during World War II. The Nazi Germany
developed the V-1 flying bomb, an early form of cruise missile, which could be considered a
precursor to modern UAVs. The United States also continued to develop drones for various
military purposes.
4. Cold War Era: During the Cold War, UAV technology saw further advancements,
particularly for reconnaissance missions. The United States and the Soviet Union both
developed and utilized UAVs for intelligence gathering.
5. Modern Era: The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw significant advancements in UAV
technology, particularly in the civilian sector. In the 1990s and 2000s, UAVs became
increasingly popular for various applications such as aerial photography, agricultural
monitoring, and environmental research.
6. Military Applications: UAVs have become an integral part of modern military operations.
They are used for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and even combat missions.
The U.S. military, in particular, has heavily invested in UAV technology, deploying drones
extensively in conflicts such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
7. Commercial and Civilian Use: In recent years, there has been a surge in the commercial and
civilian use of UAVs. Companies utilize drones for tasks such as aerial photography,
filmmaking, infrastructure inspection, search and rescue operations, and even package
delivery.
8. Technological Advances: Advances in technology, particularly in areas such as
miniaturization, autonomy, and battery life, have significantly enhanced the capabilities of
UAVs. Modern drones can now stay airborne for extended periods, navigate autonomously,
and carry sophisticated payloads such as high-resolution cameras and sensors.
Classification of UAV
1. Size:
 Micro UAVs: Typically weigh less than 1 kg and are used for close-range operations
such as indoor surveillance or reconnaissance.
 Small UAVs: Weigh between 1 kg to 20 kg and are used for a variety of applications
including aerial photography, mapping, and agriculture.
 Medium UAVs: Weigh between 20 kg to 150 kg and are often used for surveillance,
reconnaissance, and some light strike missions.
 Large UAVs: Weigh more than 150 kg and can be used for long-endurance missions,
heavy payload delivery, and combat operations.
2. Range:
 Short-Range UAVs: Typically have a range of up to 50 kilometers and are used for
localized missions such as surveillance of a specific area.
 Medium-Range UAVs: Have a range of up to 300 kilometers and are used for
reconnaissance, surveillance, and light strike missions over larger areas.
  Long-Range UAVs: Have a range of over 300 kilometers and can be used for
missions such as border patrol, maritime surveillance, and deep reconnaissance.
3. Mission:
 Surveillance and Reconnaissance UAVs: Designed primarily for gathering
intelligence through aerial observation.
 Combat UAVs (UCAVs): Armed UAVs capable of carrying and deploying weapons
for offensive or defensive purposes.
 Cargo and Delivery UAVs: Used for transporting goods and supplies over short to
medium distances, often in remote or difficult-to-access areas.
 Research and Development UAVs: Experimental UAVs used for testing new
technologies, sensors, and flight systems.
4. Technology:
 Fixed-Wing UAVs: Resemble traditional airplanes and are known for their long
endurance and high-speed capabilities.
 Rotary-Wing UAVs: Utilize rotor blades for lift and propulsion, allowing them to
hover and maneuver in tight spaces.
 Hybrid UAVs: Combine features of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft for
enhanced versatility and performance.
 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAVs: Capable of taking off and landing
vertically like helicopters but transitioning to horizontal flight like airplanes.
5. Payload:
 ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) Payloads: Cameras, sensors, and
other equipment for collecting data and imagery.
 Weapon Payloads: Missiles, bombs, or other munitions for offensive or defensive
purposes.
 Cargo Payloads: Payload compartments or attachments for carrying supplies,
equipment, or other cargo.
 MODELS AND PROTOTYPES
1. Experimental and Prototype Models:
 Kettering Bug: Developed during World War I by Charles Kettering, the Kettering
Bug was one of the earliest examples of a UAV. It was essentially a small, pilotless
aircraft designed to carry explosives and fly predetermined distances to enemy targets.
 Ryan Firebee: Developed in the 1950s, the Ryan Firebee was one of the first jet-
powered target drones used by the United States military for training and testing
purposes. It served as the basis for many subsequent UAV designs.
 AeroVironment Gossamer Condor: Although not strictly a UAV, the Gossamer
Condor was a pioneering human-powered aircraft developed by AeroVironment in the
1970s. Its lightweight construction and innovative design principles influenced the
development of later UAVs.
2. Military UAVs:
 General Atomics MQ-1 Predator: Introduced in the 1990s, the MQ-1 Predator is
perhaps one of the most well-known military UAVs. It was originally designed for
reconnaissance and surveillance but later modified to carry weapons, becoming one of
the first armed UAVs in service.
 Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk: A high-altitude, long-endurance
reconnaissance UAV, the Global Hawk has been in service with the United States Air
Force since the early 2000s. It is capable of conducting long-duration missions at high
altitudes, providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
capabilities.
 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper: An evolution of the Predator, the MQ-9 Reaper is a
larger and more capable UAV designed for both ISR and precision strike missions. It
can carry a variety of weapons and sensors, making it a versatile platform for military
operations.
3. Commercial and Civilian UAVs:
  DJI Phantom Series: DJI, a Chinese technology company, revolutionized the
consumer drone market with its Phantom series. These quadcopters are popular
among hobbyists, photographers, and filmmakers for their ease of use, stability, and
built-in cameras.
 Parrot AR.Drone: Launched in 2010, the Parrot AR.Drone was one of the first
commercially successful consumer drones. Controlled via smartphone or tablet, it
introduced many people to the concept of recreational drone flying.
 Insitu ScanEagle: Developed by Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, the Scan Eagle is a
small, long-endurance UAV used for a variety of commercial and military
applications, including maritime surveillance, aerial mapping, and environmental
monitoring.
4. Research and Development Projects:
 NASA Helios Prototype: The Helios Prototype was an experimental solar-powered
UAV developed by NASA in the late 1990s. It set altitude records for non-rocket-
powered aircraft and was intended for high-altitude, long-endurance atmospheric
research missions.
 Facebook Aquila: Part of Facebook's efforts to provide internet access to remote
areas, Aquila was an experimental solar-powered UAV designed to fly at high
altitudes for extended periods and beam internet connectivity to the ground below.

SYSTEM COMPOSITION:

1. Airframe: The physical structure of the UAV, including wings, fuselage, tail, etc. It's
designed to provide aerodynamic stability and support other components.
2. Propulsion System: This includes motors, engines, propellers, or rotors, depending on the
UAV type (fixed-wing or rotary-wing). It provides thrust for flight.
3. Avionics: Avionics consist of electronic systems used for navigation, communication, flight
control, and mission management. This includes GPS, inertial navigation systems (INS),
gyroscopes, accelerometers, altimeters, etc.
4. Flight Control System (FCS): FCS manages the UAV's flight operations, including
autopilot systems, control algorithms, and stabilization systems. It interprets data from
various sensors and adjusts control surfaces or motor speeds to maintain stability and execute
flight plans.
5. Payload: The payload includes any additional equipment or sensors carried by the UAV for
specific missions. This could include cameras, sensors for reconnaissance or surveillance,
LiDAR, multispectral or hyperspectral imaging systems, etc.
6. Power System: UAVs require power for propulsion, avionics, and payloads. This includes
batteries, fuel cells, or combustion engines depending on the UAV type.
7. Communication System: This enables communication between the UAV and ground control
stations (GCS), allowing for remote piloting, telemetry data transmission, and possibly
video/audio streaming.
8. Ground Control Station (GCS): The GCS is where human operators interact with the UAV.
It includes interfaces for mission planning, flight monitoring, control inputs, and data
analysis.
9. Sense and Avoid Systems (SAAS): SAAS are crucial for UAVs to detect and avoid
obstacles or other aircraft in their flight path. This could include radar, lidar, or vision-based
systems.
10. Emergency Systems: These systems include fail-safes and contingency plans for scenarios
like loss of communication, low battery, or system failures. This could involve features like
return-to-home functionality or parachute deployment systems.
11. Data Storage and Processing: UAVs generate large amounts of data from sensors and
cameras. Systems for storing, processing, and analyzing this data may be onboard or on the
ground.
12. Regulatory and Compliance Systems: Depending on the region and application, UAVs may
need systems to ensure compliance with aviation regulations, such as geofencing to prevent
flight in restricted areas or systems for broadcasting identification and flight information.