InView Unmanned Aircraft System
The "InView Unmanned Aircraft System" is an Unmanned aerial vehicle that has been developed by Barnard Microsystems Limited in the United Kingdom specifically for use in scientific, commercial and state applications. The design focus was on safety, automation and modularity.
Introduction
The InView Unmanned Aircraft System was developed in 2010 by Barnard Microsystems Limited for use in scientific, commercial and state applications. The InView is a twin engined unmanned aircraft with a "dry" (no fuel on board) weight of just under 20 kg. The twin engine configuration was selected to enable the InView to fly on one engine, should problems be experienced in the other gasoline powered four stroke engine. The relatively light weight of this 4m wingspan aircraft and use of composite materials were design goals to reduce the amount of crash damage to a structure, such as an oil or gas pipeline.
The distinctive twin boom configuration was used to keep aircraft weight down and ensure the center of gravity of the aircraft was in the desired location: a few inches back from the wing leading edge.
The InView is modular in construction to enable it to be transported in a small van. The modular construction brings with it other benefits:
- modules can be changed in less than 5 minutes to suit a mission
- a damaged module can readily be replaced
- particular modules can be replaced as part of a planned maintenance schedule
Technical specifications
Parameter |
Value |
Comment |
|---|---|---|
Payload |
4 kg |
Can be increased at the expense of flight endurance |
Endurance |
7 hours |
|
Maximum speed |
112 km/h |
60 knots |
Loiter speed |
24 km/h |
13 knots |
Weight |
19.5 kg |
No fuel on board |
Wingspan |
4m |
Modular construction enables different wings to be used |
Fuel |
Avgas 100LL |
fuel : oil mix = 20 : 1, using quality synthetic oil |
Propulsion |
2x SAITO FG-30 |
Four stroke engine, each generating 1.8 kWatts of power |
Safety aspects
The InView demonstrates the implementation of several safety features in an unmanned aircraft.
Aspect |
Comment |
|---|---|
twin engines |
Can fly on one engine |
ailerons |
Has flown using just one aileron |
twin elevators |
Can fly using only one elevator |
twin tail fins |
Can fly using only one tail fin |
construction |
carbon fibre and plywood, disintegrates on impact with a structure |
Acknowledgements
Development and testing of the InView was partially supported by the STUAC Project, itself partially funded by the U.K. Technology Strategy Board.
External links
- "Use of unmanned air vehicles in oil, gas and mineral exploration activities" AUVSI North America 2010 Conference
- "Remotely piloted aircraft in oil, gas and mineral exploration and production activities" RAeS 2010 Conference
- "Unmanned aircraft for use by local security forces" unclassified version of presentation at RAeS Classified Conference