ABSTRACT
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is known by various names, such as a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) or an unattended air system (UAS) or simply a drone. Essentially, a UAV is considered an aircraft without a human pilot. All aerodynamic functions can be controlled either by the onboard sensors or by a human operator in a ground control location or by the deployment of autonomous electronic and electro-optical systems. The most basic functions of a UAV include intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (IRS). However, an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) is supposed to meet combat-related functions in addition to IRS capabilities, such as target tracking and deployment of defensive and offensive weapon systems against targets. A UAV can be equipped with simple electronic and physical sensors such as a barometer, global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and altimeter device. Sophisticated UAVs can be equipped with photographic, television, infrared, and acoustic equipment, compact synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) laser along with radiation, chemical, and other special sensors to measure pertinent parameters to accomplish critical missions. Navigation and control sensors are of critical importance. Furthermore, the onboard sensors can be controlled by the ground-based operator, by preprogrammed sensors, or by automated remote operating mode. In case of unattended combat air vehicle (UCAV) mode, mission requirements can be changed by
the ground operator. UAV design scientists believe that when using the onboard and ground-based equipment, the UAVs can perform a wide range of missions, such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, aerial mapping, antiterrorist activities, and emergency operations with remarkable speed. Scientists further believe that the development of compact inertial navigation equipment, exotic software and algorithmic maintenance for equipment calibration, and filtering and rapid and accurate processing of navigational information will enable UAV operators to perform important tasks with great accuracy and speed. Electrical design engineers are deeply involved in specific development of onboard software and hardware of next generation of computer vision and pattern recognition for navigation and UAV orientation. When the needed sensors and equipment are fully developed and available, UAVs can be deployed to create highly accurate images of the mouths of rivers, coastlines, ports, and settlements in critical regions. Typical physical parameters of small UAVs for commercial applications can be summarized as follows.
