UAV and drones will be introduced. At the core is a group project to specify in detail (but not to design in detail) a drone for a particular application, with consideration of propulsion, overall design, range, endurance, communications, sensors, ethics and the law. The lectures support this work but significant group time needs to be spent working on the drone proposal. The lectures will cover the history and different types of UAV. They will include the powerplants available, from batteries and motors to small gas turbine engines. Propulsion configurations, eg quad and octo copters, will be analysed. The law and ethics of UAVs will be discussed in detail, looking at international and UK law. Regulation by the CAA, EU and FAA will be investigated, and the ethics of using drones in combat will be discussed. Communication systems, from Bluetooth, wifi, radio communications and satellite systems will be described, as well as jamming and geofencing. Flying techniques will be analysed, from first person view, line of sight, artificial intelligence and fail-safe modes. Sensors will be examined in detail including camera, video, GPS, inertial, magnetic, proximity, barometric and g force. A practical drone flying activity will give an opportunity to programme, control and fly drones. The university flight simulator will be used to look at the use of synthetic flight and simulation as applied to drones, rotorcraft and fixed wing aircraft. An assessed group presentation will be given on the design concept created by each group. Flying techniques will be analysed, from first person view, line of sight, artificial intelligence and fail-safe modes. Sensors will be examined in detail including camera, video, GPS, inertial, magnetic, proximity, barometric and g force. A practical drone flying activity will give an opportunity to programme, control and fly drones. The university flight simulator will be used to look at the use of synthetic flight and simulation as applied to drones, rotorcraft and fixed wing aircraft. An assessed group presentation will be given on the design concept created by each group.

• Lectures and flight simulator use / tutorials / laboratories / group work

• Independent study: reading, weekly team meetings, information gathering, student centred learning, assignment preparation and presentation

Fahistrom, P. G., (2012) Introduction to UAV Systems Wiley, P. G., (2012) Introduction to UAV Systems Wiley

Jenkins, K., (2018) The Droner’s Manual Aviation Supplies and AcademicsDroner’s Manual Aviation Supplies and Academics

Lee, A. T., (2016) Flight Simulation – Virtual Environments in Aviation, Routledge

Sadraey, M., (2017) Unmanned Aircaft Design – A Review of Fundamentals Morgan & Claypool, M., (2017) Unmanned Aircaft Design – A Review of Fundamentals Morgan & Claypool

• Flight simulator for covering aspects of flying characteristics, flight procedures, propulsion system management and aircraft design.
• A commercial UAV / drone hands-on flight experience session
• Classroom with computer projection facilities
• A visit to a professional flight simulator with the opportunity to pay to fly

1. Demonstrate a high-level ability to bring together cutting edge technology which is at the forefront of unmanned vehicle design and flight simulation by designing a complex UAV concept for a specific real world application. (AHEP 3: EA4b, D1, D2, D3b, D4, EL5,P4, P5, P6, P8, G1, G4)

2. Demonstrate advanced and up to date knowledge by researching UAV drone applications to comply with UK, EU and international legal and ethical issues. (AHEP 3:D1, D2, EL1, EL5, EL6, P4, P5, P6, G1)

3. Demonstrate a critical awareness and evaluation of current research and practise in synthetic flight, both as applied to drones and passenger aircraft, from hobby through fixed-base to Category D professional flight simulators. (AHEP 3: D2, D4, EL1, EL5, P4, P6, G1)

4. Communicate complex and critical conclusions clearly in written and verbal form to specialist and non-specialist audiences. (AHEP 3: G1, G4)

An assignment weighted at 100% consisting of a group project (3/4 persons) and production of a detailed technical bid to produce a UAV to a specification provided to the group (individual contributions to the project will be separately identified). LO 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The project will include UAV design and legal and ethical issues. Write up (max 3000 words) marked as 80% overall (LO 1, 2,3 and 4), meeting AHEP 3 Outcomes EA4b, D1, D2, D3b, D4, EL1, EL5, EL6, P4, P5, P6, P8, G1, G4, and a group presentation (15 mins + questions) at 20% (LO 4) Meeting AHEP 3 Outcomes G1, G4..
Formative guidance and feedback will be provided in tutorial sessions within the class