Configuration assessment and preliminary control law design for a novel diamond-shaped UAV

Abstract

The development of a novel aircraft configuration is typically accompanied by high technical risks. In order to ensure the success of such a development, a risk reduction phase must be considered in the design cycle. The paper at hand gives insight into the activities related to flight dynamics and control that have been performed during the risk reduction phase of a novel diamond-shaped UAV, the so-called SAGITTA Demonstrator. In particular, the main design drivers for the configuration's Flight Control System are provided and details on the inherent lateral dynamics and worst case stabilization capability are presented. Furthermore, a preliminary controller structure that is suitable to meet the requirements and an appropriate gain design method are proposed. The resulting preliminary closed-loop system is analyzed in frequency domain (e.g. by means of Nichols charts) and time domain (i.e. gust response). By the activities, summarized as Controllability Study, main requirements are validated and significant development risk reduction is achieved.