A micro unmanned air vehicle (MAV) with wings that morph into bird-like configurations has been developed at the University of Florida under a five-year, $3.5 million NASA/US Air Force project. Three years into the project, the university has built eight morphing MAVs with wingspans ranging from 203mm (8in) to 0.61m and with a top speed of 17.3kt (32km/h).
Currently a remotely controlled vehicle, its autonomous flight-control hardware and software are being designed for flight testing next year. Remotely controlled flights over the past 12 months have provided flight characteristics data for the different wing configurations.
University of Florida aerospace engineering professor Rick Lind says the researchers were inspired by seagulls, and the aim is for a vision-based guidance and control system. Small motors move joints at the MAV’s wing “shoulder and elbow joints” to produce different configurations. Tests found the elbow in the straight position provides good gliding; in the up position it is very controllable; and in the down position it is highly manoeuvrable.
The USAF has provided $3 million for the project, and NASA $500,000.
Source: Flight International