Design of a Blended Wing Body UAS With Hybrid Propulsion

Abstract

Student engineering teams developed a 3 m scale model aircraft, named Hyperion, inspired after the NASA-Boeing X48-B blended wing body to use as a test bed for advanced technical studies. The design concept includes a novel hybrid gas/biodiesel-electric power train as a green aircraft technology. The hybrid propulsion system allows for new concepts of operation in unmanned vehicles as it can operate in an internal combustion-only, electric-only, or hybrid mode. The aircraft is designed through a collaboration of 3 international universities: the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Sydney, AUS, and the University of Stuttgart, GER. The Hyperion aircraft has a blended fuselage and wing to utilize advanced aircraft design and aerodynamic efficiency. The flying wing architecture is a fuel efficient platform to demonstrate the latest developments in ‘green’ aircraft technology. The optimal design requires a full systems engineering analysis, including aerodynamic and structural analysis of the vehicle; design of the flight mechanics, navigation, and control systems. The vehicle is fabricated primarily from composite materials. Hyperion’s unique architecture and advanced subsystems establish novel technologies that can be incorporated into UAV, General Aviation, and larger aircraft.