Aerial Vehicle Carrier

Scope: 

This project investigates a collaboration system with an aerial vehicle carrier (AVC) and small-scale drones. 

Motivation:

Small-scale drones are generally powered by the onboard battery, leading to limited flight endurance.

Approach:

An AVC carries a small-scale drone to a position close to the destination. The drone leaves the AVC and conducts its mission. After finishing, the drone returns to the AVC, and the AVC takes the drone back.

Published papers related to this project:

C Zhang, Y L Lam, C M B IP, H. Huang, Dynamic Path Optimization and Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Autonomous UAV Landings on Mobile Aerial Platforms, Unmanned Systems, 2025.

Z. Shen, G. Zhou, H. Huang, C. Huang, Y. Wang, F.-Y. Wang, Convex Optimization-Based Trajectory Planning for Quadrotors Landing on Aerial Vehicle Carriers, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles, 2023.

See other projects