A Novel Software and Hardware Based UAV Upset Recovery Control System Navy SBIR FY2005.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.2 Topic No.: N05-097 Topic Title: A Novel Software and Hardware Based UAV Upset Recovery Control System Proposal No.: N052-097-0279 Firm: Continuum Dynamics, Inc. 34 Lexington Avenue Ewing, New Jersey 08618-2302 Contact: Jeffrey Keller Phone: (609) 538-0444 Web Site: www.continuum-dynamics.com Abstract: This proposal provides research and development of an autonomous UAV upset recovery control system to enhance survivability during operations outside the normal flight envelope. Unmanned aircraft, like manned aircraft, are susceptible to upsets resulting from aerodynamic disturbances, icing, equipment failures, and/or extreme attitudes due to maneuvering. A novel control architecture for UAV platforms is proposed for development that mimics the response actions of a human operator during a potential upset condition. This outer-loop control combines fault detection algorithms to identify the upset condition with optimal and near-optimal control responses. For cases where sufficient control authority is not available for recovery, innovative shape memory alloy actuators will be developed and integrated into the UAV upset recovery control system. Software tools and test techniques will also be developed during this program to support the design, evaluation, and implementation of the recovery system. For Phase I, initial development of the outer-loop control architecture will be performed and demonstrated through simulation and reduced degree-of-freedom wind tunnel testing. This work will form the foundation for subsequent development, implementation, and evaluation on a generic fixed-wing UAV during the Phase II program. Benefits: The recovery control system to be developed will enable UAVs, both fixed-wing and VTOL-capable, to have reduce susceptibility to upset conditions that may occur during flight operations. When applied to production UAVs, this system will greatly improve the system reliability, thus reducing aircraft losses and correspondingly saving money for the U.S. Navy and other military branches. Transition of this technology into the commercial sector will potentially expand the use of unmanned aircraft into civil applications by providing greater autonomy, and safety. Return