This work is being undertaken under the DECODE EPSRC funded project.
The objective is to develop low cost, high performance, short lead-time systems. Considerable use is being made of a range of rapid prototyping technologies to allow "print to fly" cycles of under 2 weeks.
This use of rapid prototyping allows the design of optimised, fully equipped structures to include lugs, equipment stowage, fastener holes, etc. This leads to minimal assembly costs.
Novel systems are being explored including "tiperon" roll control and warping wings.
This group supervised the student team that won the inaugural ESCO European UAV competition in 2008.