Reconfigurable unmanned vehicles
The disclosed embodiments are directed to a modular autonomous vehicle system comprising a blended wing body module, at least two high speed long range wing panel modules configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, at least two low speed high endurance wing panel modules configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, a vertical tails module configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, a vertical takeoff and landing fin module configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, a power train, and a wheels module with a plurality of wheels operably connected to the power train.
1 . A modular UAV system comprising:
a blended wing body module;
at least two first wing panel modules configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, the at least two first wing panel modules comprising symmetric blended wing panels, comprising Eppler 171 wing root airfoils, blended with Eppler 182 wing tip airfoils;
at least two second wing panel modules configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, the at least two second wing panel modules comprising symmetric blended wing panels, comprising Eppler 171 wing root airfoils, blended with Eppler 330 wing tip airfoils wherein a root chord of the at least two first wing panel modules and a root chord of the at least two second wing panel modules is the same;
a vertical tails module configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, with a vertical tail airfoil comprising an NACA 0006 vertical tail airfoil; and
a vertical takeoff and landing fin module configured to interchangeably mount to the blended wing body module, with a vertical takeoff and landing airfoil comprising an NACA 0010 vertical takeoff and landing airfoil.
2 . The modular UAV system of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one wing nacelle configured on an inboard region of each of the at least two first wing panel modules; and
a motor configured in each wing nacelle.
3 . The modular UAV system of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one wing nacelle configured on an inboard region of each of the at least two second wing panel modules; and
a motor configured in each wing nacelle.
4 . The modular UAV system of claim 1 further comprising:
a nacelle configured on the vertical takeoff and landing fin module; and
a motor configured in the nacelle.
5 . The modular UAV system of claim 1 wherein the vertical tails module further comprises:
two tail fins.
6 . The modular UAV system of claim 1 further comprising:
two interfaces on the blended wing body module, wherein each of the two interfaces comprise a quick lock/release mechanism compatible with the first wing panel modules and the second wing panel modules.
7 . The modular UAV system of claim 6 further comprising:
a control system housed in the blended wing body module, the control system further comprising a computer system, the computer system comprising:
at least one processor; and
a computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, the computer-usable medium capable of communicating with the at least one processor, the computer program code comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor and configured for:
controlling the modular UAV system.
8 . The modular UAV system of claim 7 wherein the two interfaces further connect the control system to one of:
each of the at least two first wing panel modules; and
each of the at least two second wing panel modules.
9 . The modular UAV system of claim 7 wherein a logic circuit is housed inside each of at least one of:
the first wing panel module;
the second wing panel module; and
the vertical takeoff and landing fin;
wherein a logic circuit interfaces to the control system.