Design, Build and Flight of The DEMON Demonstrator UAV

Abstract

This paper will describe the design, development and testing of the DEMON flying Demonstrator UAV, which is being used to demonstrate a number of technologies of the FLAVIIR Integrated Programme. These include fluidic thrust vectoring developed by Manchester University, circulation control devices from Manchester and Cranfield Universities and advanced flight control algorithms from Leicester University and Imperial College. Cranfield University designed and built the DEMON aircraft with contributions from BAE SYSTEMS and other partners. The paper will summarise the design and construction processes, and describe the component, system and pre-flight tests. The aircraft initially flew in November 2009, utilising conventional flight controls. The second flight test programme was undertaken in September 2010 and demonstrated fluidic roll control and the use of Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) sensors. The flight test results will be described. This programme has yielded considerable knowledge about the development and integration of novel technologies into a challenging, representative aircraft. It has also demonstrated the collaborative efforts of a number of research teams from several partner Universities and BAE SYSTEMS.