Design fabrication and testing of scale down model of lighter than air craft for tactical surveillance platform

Project Title

Design fabrication and testing of scale down model of lighter than air craft for tactical surveillance platform

Project Area of Specialization Mechanical EngineeringProject Summary

Lighter than air vehicles are a breakthrough in this ever changing world. Its inception has opted to revolutionize the technological fields. These fields include military warfare and strategies, reconnaissance and surveillance, advanced modes of communication and transportation, identification of minerals and materials in difficult terrains. Airships in this respect have gained special consideration. If we talk about cost, they are not expensive. Solar technology when embedded in this, surely conserves energy. It saves non-renewable energy resources for other usage. It reduces the fuel cost in a huge manner. Camera mounting for surveillance and reconnaissance will enhance this technological development. Stability and aerodynamics are of great concern. Detailed analysis and discussions are being done all around the world to optimize its structure. It will improve its reliability. Weight considerations are of utmost importance. Selection of materials come into play here. This leads to the point where we can get our analytical solution. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis in ANSYS validates the results and findings done. This analysis when confirmed makes way to go for fabrication and finally testing of the aircraft.

Development in science and technology is very closely related to advances in research of platforms, aircraft characteristics, structures, instrumentation, and aerodynamics. A lot of work progress and institutional unification has been seen in leading advancements in streams of manned-submersibles, autonomous unmanned crafts, remotely operated vehicles and systems based on satellites, and others. Now a days, Lighter-than-air platform is getting into the mainstream of large-scale developments in a lot many countries. It is new world challenge to decide upon very important and key characteristic specifications. These in an opinion is going to wash out the prospects of life without oil and petroleum products. Scientists are looking forward to replace as many past technological products that are not much in sync with the healthy ecosystem. Lighter-than-air vehicles are going to make their presence felt in this new world of exploration and never stopping.

Project Objectives

1. Writing a survey paper.
2. Identification of aerodynamics of the lighter than air vehicle.
3. Determination of stability parameters.
4. Practical demonstration of the functionality of the vehicle.
5. Detailed analysis of the results.
6. Verification of results and conclusion.

Project Implementation Method

The methodology to carry out my project is:

1. Literature view of the subject matter in a detailed manner.
2. Weight and structural considerations.
3. Initiating study of CAD model of the aircraft in ANSYS (Fluent).
4. Analyzing stability derivatives associated with the required aircraft.
5. Mounting of camera on the vehicle for surveillance and reconnaissance keeping in account the structural and aerodynamic aspects.
6. Acquisition of solar energy prospect in the fabrication of the aircraft.

Benefits of the Project

This project is of prime importance. It includes all the spheres of the technology. New concepts and development is changing its perspective. Design analysis includes all the key factors like weight and strength considerations, structural aspects, aerodynamic and stability analyses. Tradeoffs at different phases of designs indicate the true complexity of such a technology. Literature review helps to get a detailed insight on the advantages and disadvantages of the platforms under studies. Surveillance and reconnaissance is the major focus of this project. Therefore, a high resolution camera is recommended to perform the required task. This can further be increased to communication modes with the aid of satellites in space. Detailed studies, literature review and analyses helps develop better understanding of the subject matter. It opens new conceptual development ideas which takes the scientific, logical and technical advancements to new heights.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The scope of this project is to carry out design and analysis of lighter than air craft which consists of following parts:

1. Study and understanding of CFD, XFLR, TORNADO and ANN.
2. Design of the aircraft (CAD Model)
3. Aerodynamic and Stability analysis of the lighter than air aircraft.
4. Weight and structural considerations.
5. Properties of the material used in the vehicle.
6. Usage of Solar energy as a power source.
7. Development of control surfaces.
8. Analysis of Results.
9. Verification of results and conclusion.
10.  Fabrication of the vehicle.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry SecurityOther Industries Transportation , Media , Telecommunication Core Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate ActionRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	74500
Balsa wood/epoxy/styrofoam	Equipment	3	6000	18000
Hydrogen gas	Miscellaneous	3	1500	4500
Envelope	Equipment	1	2000	2000
Avionics	Equipment	1	40000	40000
Camera	Equipment	1	10000	10000