LAUSR

Minimization of energy consumption with the longest flight time and distance is one of the main challenges in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) is another feature that makes handling such platforms easier. Considering these requirements, we propose the architectural design of a double-hybrid UAV, conceptualized and built as a flying wing with tractor configuration with a combustion engine propeller and an electric multirotor with 3 propeller sets. We performed several tests to validate the proposed UAV model, including take-off, horizontal flight, transition tests, and also tests on autonomy (flight time and distance). As a verification of the tool usefulness, the architectural sketch of our proposal has been granted a patent from the Intellectual Property Institute (Brazil) under the number BR-10-2015-032525-8. The main contribution is the architectural design and conceptualization of the double-hybrid UAV, which consists of easy-to-follow procedural steps that can be reproduced in a simple fashion anywhere.