Cost effectiveness and feasibility considerations on the design of mini-UAVs for balloon takedown. Part 3: reliability and availability

Abstract

The reliability and availability of a Jet Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (JUAV) for balloon downing are evaluated in this third part of the paper. The paper delves into the challenges faced by traditional air defence systems in countering high-altitude balloons, leading to the proposal of substituting missiles with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), specifically the Jet Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (JUAV). The best solution found in the previous section is a derivation of the 1:6 scale RC model of the Lockheed F104C. This is designed for balloon downing, and the essay meticulously analyses its reliability, failure probabilities, and maintenance strategies for various subsystems. The engine is replaced with a more powerful micro-jet, and an 84 mm recoilless cannon is added at the base of the tail. The scaled-down model can use most data derived from the full-scale airplane flight manual, corrected for larger thrust-to-weight and lower wing-loading. Several adjustments and additions are made on sensors, autopilot, On-Line Diagnostic System, communication system, and firing system to increase the reliability of the system. Due to the relatively short design life of the RC model, the Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of the UAV is reduced to 25 h. Consequently, the study emphasizes the importance of simplicity, operational reliability, and adaptability in the development and assessment of modern missile defence systems. The reliability of the JUAVI is presented as 98.14% for 50 consecutive fully automatic missions, highlighting its potential significance in bolstering national security.

Keywords:

• Reliability
• availability
• UAV
• re-usable
• cost-effective
• balloon killer

Reviewing editor:

• D T Pham
• University of Birmingham
• UK

Subjects:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering Design
• Mechanics
• Transport & Vehicle Engineering
• Design

Author contributions

Conceptualization and methodology, L.P., C.L., and M.S.; software, L.P.; validation, C.L. and M.S.; formal analysis and investigation, L.P., C.L., and M.S.; resources, L.P.; data curation, writing—original draft preparation, and writing—review and editing, M.S. and C.L.; visualization, C.L.; supervision, project administration, and funding acquisition, L.P.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Not applicable.

Figure 1. F104 1:6 single cannon (schematic). The cannon is the red cylinder at the root of the tail.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luca Piancastelli

Luca Piancastelli Full professor since 2000, currently his research is focused on both land and air vehicles, energy generation systems from renewable sources, advanced vehicle interfaces, autonomous driving system, restoration of monuments using additive technologies, innovative aids for the disabled and vehicle emergency systems.

Christian Leon-Cardenas

Christian Leon-Cardenas is a Ph.D. Student of the Department of Industrial Engineering, at Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna. Christian is involved in Methods for product design based on overall Optimization, Composites, 3D Printing applications and Augmented Reality studies.

Eugenio Pezzuti

Eugenio Pezzuti is an Associate Professor at University of Rome Tor Vergata | UNIROMA2 · Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Impresa

Merve Sali

Merve Sali is a Ph.D. Student of the Department of Industrial Engineering, at Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna. Merve is involved in Stylistic Design Engineering and Generative Design related studies.