Research and Development of a Medium Altitude Long Endurance Solar Plane for Disaster Response

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K14508
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Aerospace engineering
• Research Institution: Suwa University of Science (2018); Tokyo University of Science, Suwa (2016-2017)
• Principal Investigator: Lei Zhong 公立諏訪東京理科大学, 工学部, 教授 (50392832)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: ソーラープレーン / 太陽光エネルギー / 無人航空機 / 長時間滞空

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Research was conducted to develop a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for medium altitude and long endurance (MALE), which might be used for disaster response and environment monitoring. In this study, this unconventional solar plane was mainly consisted of a lifting body, a wing and a V-shaped tail. Light structure and high performance was confirmed by ground experiments and flight tests. The performance of the designed solar-powered UAV with a payload was analyzed and the possible solution was discussed for design parameters at an altitude 7,000m. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate performance and capabilities of the solar plane for continuous flight. Analysis showed that the proposed MALE flight was possibly realized.

Free Research Field

航空工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでのソーラープレーンは殆ど従来型の設計であるため、大きなアスペクト比の翼と大きな翼面積と軽量化機体を特徴とする。また、従来の民生用無人機は航続時間が短く、飛行高度が低いため、災害救援活動が限られてしまう。それに比べて、本研究では独自の設計を考案し、太陽光エネルギーだけで連続飛行を実証して、機体設計と動力システムに関する課題を解決し、実用化へ大きく進めた。長時間滞空型無人航空機が近い将来、災害救援を始め、交通監視や通信サービスなど、さまざまな分野でビジネスチャンスを生み出すことが期待されている。