Development of Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)

Project Brief		People involved in the project
Sponsor: Raytheon ES Missile Systems We are working on the design, integration, and testing of MAVs with adaptive wing structures. The current airframe design is a composite design consisting of small-diameter carbon rods for the structure and a thin, flexible fiberglass/epoxy skin for the wing covering. The airfoil is a thin, variable-cambered plate design and actuators are embedded within the wing structure. Both shape memory alloy wires and traditional micro servos are utilized in adaptive wing designs. For more information see papers Return to main page		William Null, M.S. candidate Mathew Wagner, M.S. candidate Russell James, M.S. candidate John Stockero, M.S. candidate

Testing in the wind-tunnel

A 50 gram, 7-inch MAV

A 3 gram, 7-inch adaptive MAV wing made of carbon fiber rods and a fiberglass/epoxy skin

Front view of the 7-inch, adaptive MAV

A 50 gram, 7-inch adaptive wing MAV ready to fly

A 53 gram, 8-inch adaptive wing MAV

An adaptive MAV test model utilizing shape memory alloy wire for camber change

2nd generation, balsa and tissue MAVs. Take-off weight is 100 grams. Airplane has excellent flight characteristics

1st generation, 12-inch MAV. Take-off weight is 350 grams. Extremely difficult to fly