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Horizon
Horizon is a bungee-launched, 3D printed, morphing, flying-wing aircraft, developed to demonstrate yaw-control. What does all that mean?
- Bungee-Launched -
Horizon is launched using two 25' bungees. The bungee attaches to a hook on the lower side of the aircraft. After launch the aircraft is powered by two ducted fans on either side of the fuselage.
- 3D Printed -
Horizon is manufactured using fused deposition modeling, commonly known as 3D printed using PLA (polylactic acid). This means that the aircraft can be rapidly prototyped.
Though it can be rapidly prototyped, it still takes a while to print! Roughly 3 weeks on two printers running 24/7, the airframe has a 10' wingspan, with an average chord of about 1'.
- Morphing -
The control surfaces are designed to deflect parabolically (rather than articulated, as is generally common). This improves the efficiency of the control surfaces, resulting in greater controllability in flight. More on the design of the mechanism in the link below.
- Flying-Wing -
Horizon does not have a horizontal stabilizer. This means that the aircraft can only be controlled and stabilized by the main wing.
- Yaw Control -
Aircraft with traditional rudders
How do traditional aircraft control yaw? Most aircraft have a rudder vertical control surface. The B2 bomber doesn't have a vertical control surface, and uses split flaps to control yaw.
B2 Bomber
Flying-wing aircraft are notorious for having little yaw control. So how can we control yaw? Horizon controls yaw using a control method that deflects each control surface so as to minimize drag, while positioning induced drag as to control yaw.
On the Horizon aircraft I have been responsible for the development of the control surface morphing mechanism, the manufacturing methodology, and the CAD model. I have been extensively involved with the bench testing, electronics design, and flight testing of the aircraft.
- Flight Tests -
Check out some of our flight tests! The best ones to watch are starred *.
Flight Test 1 - Glide Test
Flight Test 2 * - Flutter
Flight Test 3 - LOS
Flight Test 4 - Launch Stall
Flight Test 5 - LOS
Flight Test 6 - Pitch Up Stall
Flight Test 7 - Launch Failure
Flight Test 8 * - Successful M2
Flight Test 9 * - M4 demo
For an overview of the whole project, and videos from the final report presentation, check out the project page on my lab's website.
Manta
The Manta aircraft was designed and tested in preparation for the Horizon aircraft.
V1 Flight Test
Foam version
V2 Flight Test
3D printed version
Google Sites
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