Gundlach J. Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Comprehensive Approach

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., 2012. 869 p.Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are revolutionizing the way we explore our global environment. Whether it's to monitor severe weather events or used in a military operation, these machines and the components that operate them are changing the way we approach flight. In his book, Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Comprehensive Approach, Jay Gundlach investigates all elements of UAS design, including architectural options, and design drivers across diverse systems classes. As the most authoritative single reference on UAS design, the book provides readers a solid understanding of the end-to-end unmanned aircraft system and gain a deeper appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of UAS design.Nomenclature
AcronymsOverview of Unmanned Aircraft SystemsDefining an Unmanned Aircraft
Motivation for Employment of Unmanned Aircraft
Distinction Between Manned and Unmanned Aircraft
Moral, Ethical, and Legal Issues for UASs
Brief History of Unmanned Aircraft
Introduction to System Elements and ArchitecturesUnmanned Aircraft CategoriesMicro Air Vehicles
Small Unmanned Aircraft
Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Medium-Altitude Long Endurance
High-Altitude Long Endurance
Ultra Long Endurance
Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicles
Manned Aircraft Conversions
Air-Launched Unmanned AircraftTargetsRotorcraft
Other Vertical Takeoff and Landing
Solar-Powered Aircraft
Planetary Aircraft
Lighter Than Air
Research Unmanned AircraftInitial Unmanned-Aircraft SizingSimple Weight Relationships
Flight Performance
Simple Aerodynamics Methods
Initial UA Sizing Process
ExamplesUnmanned-Aircraft Geometry and ConfigurationsAircraft Geometry Relationships
Configuration Drivers
Wing System Configurations
Tail Configurations
Fuselage System Configurations
Propulsion Integration
Launch and Recovery System Integration
Survivability Impacts on Configuration
Transportability and Storage Impacts on Configuration
In-Flight Reconfiguration
Modularity and Airframe Growth
Manufacturing Configuration Drivers
Rotorcraft ConfigurationsAerodynamicsFlight Regime
Boundary Layers
Coordinate Systems and Aerodynamic Coefficients
Airfoils
Three-Dimensional Lift Distribution Methods
Pitching Moment
Drag
Miscellaneous DragMass PropertiesMass Properties Throughout the Aircraft Life Cycle
Conceptual Design Weight Estimation Methods
Weight Management
Weight Engineering of Other System ElementsStructuresStructural Concepts
Materials
Unmanned Aircraft Loads
Shell Structure Analysis
Wing Sizing
Fuselage Analysis and Sizing
Structures ManufacturingPropulsion SystemsPropellers
Reciprocating Engines
Turbofans and Turbojets
Turboshafts and Turboprops
Electric Motors
Batteries
Fuel Cells
Solar Power
Hybrid Electric
Pulsejets
Rockets
Gliders
High-Altitude Propulsion
Miscellaneous Propulsion TypesFlight PerformanceOperating Environment
Mission Profiles
Constraint Analysis
Flight Performance AnalysisAvionics, Flight Software, and SubsystemsAvionics
Flight Software
SubsystemsLaunch and RecoveryPhysics of UA Launch and Recovery
Conventional Launch and Recovery
Vertical Takeoff and Landing
Rail Launchers
Rocket Launch
Air Launch
Hand Launch
Tensioned Line Launch
Gun Launch
Ground-Vehicle Launch
Skid and Belly Recovery
Net Recovery
Cable-Assisted Recovery
Parachutes
Deep Stall
UA Impact Attenuation
Nonrecoverable
Water Launch and Recovery
Other Launch and Recovery TechniquesCommunication SystemsRadio-Frequency Physics
Elements of Communication Systems
Link Budget Analysis
Antennas
Antenna Integration
Communication System Types
Modulation Techniques
Interception, Detection, and Jamming
RF Performance Simulation
Line-of-Sight Communications
Beyond Line-of-Sight Communications
Frequency ManagementPhysics of Remote Sensing and in Situ MeasurementElectromagnetic Spectrum Characteristics
Aerial Remote Sensing
Optical Systems
Radar
Synthetic Aperture Radar
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
In Situ MeasurementsMissions and PayloadsMilitary Missions
Science and Research Missions
Commercial and Civil MissionsMission Systems IntegrationOptical Payload Assembly Layout, Actuation, and Stabilization
Sizing for Performance
Field-of-Regard Requirements
Payload Placement and UA Configuration for Field of Regard
RF Payload Integration
Airframe Mechanical Integration
Imagery Products
Software Integration
Avionics and Power Interfaces
Payload Data Management
Ground Element Integration
Payload Interface Control
Payload ModularityCommand, Control, Tasking, Processing, Exploitation, and DisseminationControl Element Functions and Personnel Roles
Mission Planning and Execution
Overview of Ground Element Types
Portable Ground Control Stations
Remote Viewing Terminals
Launch and Recovery Elements
Mission Control Elements
Tasking, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TPED)
Hardware
Training
InteroperabilityReliability, Maintainability, Supportability, and TransportabilityReliability
Availability
Maintainability
Supportability
Footprint
Logistics and Transportability
Organization, Training, and Personnel
Facilities
System ResponsivenessSystem Synthesis and Mission EffectivenessBalancing the System
System Architecture Selection
System Performance Metrics
Operations Analysis Modeling
Survivability
Systems Engineering
Optimization
Design EnvironmentsCost AnalysisCost Modeling
Life-Cycle Cost Approach
Program Influences on Cost
UAS Cost Data
Preacquisition Costs
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Cost
Production Cost
Operations Cost
Commercial Development
Services Contracts
UAS Company Startups and InvestmentsProduct Definition and Requirements DevelopmentMarket Surveys_and Competitive Analysis
Customer Requirements Generation
Developer Product Definition
Government AcquisitionSupporting Materials