12/28/2017 AIRBUS A390D

AIRBUS A390D

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DESIGN DESCRIPTION

This is the Airbus A390D, an advanced next generation multi-purpose drone, with VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and
Landing) and STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing, when flying in horizontal fixed wing mode) capabilities,a hybrid
design created through the merging of design elements from both multi-rotors and fixed-wing aircraft.

Inspired by flying wing aircrafts, quad rotor drones and traditional biplanes, the A390D is a combination of both of
them.

Its fuselage is the main wing, enabling the entire craft to generate lift, potentially reducing the size and drag of the
wings and optimizing the volume of the drone. Although the main central wing-body has is relatively low aspect ratio,
thanks to the combination with higher aspect ratio wings located in x position, hovering motors covers acting as
winglets, and correct position of the Ruddervators (V-Tail), induced drag residual vortex are reduced drastically, and
Oswald factor estimated is 1.2. Thanks to this features, the overall size of the aircraft is really compact compared
with other drones with similar performance.

Following the simplicity concept as one of the main targets, it has the minimum required rotors, 4 lifting
motors/rotors, and one motor is used for forward thrust in the fixed-wing flight mode, located in front, blowing air
directly over the wing-body, thus generating additional lift, and allowing to take off as a normal fixed wing plane in a
very short track.

Regarding the quadrotor drone influence, it has an internal structure similar to this type of drone: the main carbon
fiber multi layer structure, and four structural elements connecting with the wings, in which are located de hovering
motors.

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The wings are based on sandwich structure, with slim sheet of carbon fiber, filled with high tensile strength foam,
and exterior vinyl wrapping (white).

Its overall style is similar to a biplane, with the cruise propeller located in the front, main landing gear located slightly
forward the center of gravity, and double wings, but these are located in tandem position, lightly swept.

As the aircraft must operate in extreme weather conditions with temperatures varying from -30 to 55ºC, it has a
cooling system which consists in an inlet in the front side just under the propeller, with ducts for battery cooling in hot
environments. These can be be sealed in cold weather conditions, to avoid LiPo battery failure.

The name of the aircraft, A390D has been selected following the Airbus numbering system, so, as the last plane
released was the A380, next is 390, and “D” means Drone.

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EXPLANATION OF DESIGN DETAILS

Landing Gear

As the plane must be as simple as possible, and it should have landing gear for conventional fixed-wing take-off and
landing, in addition to vertical take-off, the A390D has a landing gear similar to other systems used in classic
biplanes and small planes like Cessna, it consists in two main wheels located slightly forward of the center of
gravity, supporting almost all the weight of the aircraft, covered with a fairing to improve aerodynamics, and instead
of one small wheel at the rear end, two wheels are located in this position, supporting just a small part of the total
weight, connected to the respective servos of each Ruddervators at the rear for steering capabilities when the drone
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is on the ground. Conventional fixed-wing take-off and landing should be performed when possible, as this take-off
mode is more energy efficient than vertical take-off.

“Waterproofness”

To be able to operate safely flying with moderate rain, all the electronic components are located inside the fuselage
like a conventional plane (no servos outside). The motors are waterproof and dirt resistant.

Modularity/Ship-ability

For better ship-ability, the four wings can be disassembled, and placed together with the main wing-body. Landing
gear can be unmounted and saved inside de cargo bay. The resulting size is very compact (1.5m long and 0.8m
wide). As the wingspan is not too large (2m) the entire drone is relatively easy to transport without disassemble.

Payload and cargo concept

Payload size is 450 x 350 x 200mm, is coincident with the center of gravity, and it’s accessible from top and inferior
sides, just by opening the hood in the top of the drone, or a gate located at the bottom. The system to secure the
payload in the right place avoid shift during flight is very simple, the walls of the container are covered with inflatable
mechanism, immobilizing the payload, regardless of size or weight. If the payload size is close to the cargo bay, the
inflatable mechanism can be easily removed. Payload can be interchangeable with payload bay of same size and
same interface.

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Ease of handling

The main behavior feature of the A390D is its neutral stability.

Naca 4418 airfoil has been used for the main wing-body y and naca 4415 for the wings.

Directional stability is controlled by 2 Ruddervators (V-Tail) located a the rear end of the drone.

Pitching control is outstanding in this aircraft, thanks to the multiple surfaces controlling longitudinal stability: as the
4 wings have it characteristic tandem configuration, these act as Elevons as well (control surfaces that combine the
functions of the elevator and the aileron). Rear ruddervators also add elevator function.

When the aircraft is performing vertical lift-off and landing, ailerons are down to reduce wing surface and optimize
propeller airflow during hovering.

In horizontal cruise flight, hover propellers are locked parallel to the flight direction to reduce drag.

Center of gravity is coincident with center of lift, but can be adjusted by displacing the batteries longitudinally.

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Weight and size

19.96 kg empty. Total weight loaded is 25 kg. Wingspan 2m (0.8m when unmounted) length 1,5 m.
Fail safe components to prevent catastrophic failure XL96 Skycat parachute, located over the gravity
center, inside the hump of the drone, and X55 launcher.

The system is covered with a breakable plastic sheet, that breaks when the parachute is deployed.
Safety provisions: limit time on ground with rotors spinning

Propellers stop spinning almost immediately after turning off the motors, but to add additional safety provisions a
contact breaker can be placed in the rear end of the drone (in the area clear of propellers) for safety of the operator
during loading and unloading operations.

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Performance
The Airbus A390D has a payload capacity of 5 kg, and a range of 65 km. Cruise efficient speed is 100 km/h (28
m/s). Estimated maximum burst speed is 158 kmh (44 m/s).

Maximum Thrust generated by the horizontal flight motor is 15.8 kg (close to 2/3 of the total weight of the loaded
aircraft as proposed). Combined thrust generated by the 4 hovering motors is 50.4 kg (2x total weigh of the loaded
aircraft).

As it has power reserve, it can deliver payloads to closer range at higher speed, also change flight direction and
hard maneuver in case of emergency.

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