If I have an empty airframe (8m long), what do I really need to fly it as hispeed UAV

[T.Jindivik]

I'm a student and actually working on my project to upgrade one old UCAV into a hi-speed research UAV testbed.

By keeping airframe but taking any other things out, what are the minimum things do I need to put in so it can fly as an UAV?

Definitely, new engine and.. control system??

I need to keep the cost as low as possible while having a better technology or lower weight (than 1950s tech.)

Any specific comments on what model should i put in to keep cost low will be appreciated. (from any home-build aircraft or off-the-shelf stuffs)

Thank you ^^
Ron

p.s.The old UCAV i mentioned is Jindivik, if anyone knows.

[Ryan Archer]

hmm i couldn't find any pictures, do you have any?
thanks, ryan

[kd7ost]

You have one of these?

Dan

[kd7ost]

http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/rpav_jindivik.html

How much money do you have? We don't fly stuff that works like that. You need hydraulic control systems and a desert sized flying field. I wouldn’t even trust Futaba or JR to fly that thing around. You’d be out of range before you could do a split S to turn around. You might find a used Lear Jet engine to get it off the ground. It never used Landing gear and I can’t even tell you what to do with that. Its way over my head on what to do with a 50’s vintage Jet powered UAV.

Dan

[HELModels]

190 knot best angle of climb. 140 knots stall. Morbidly obese. No wonder they hunt them and shoot them out of the sky. :D

[Ryan Archer]

sounds like fun! i'd take that challenge, but i don't have one hehe.
ryan


http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/rpav_jindivik.html

How much money do you have? We don't fly stuff that works like that. You need hydraulic control systems and a desert sized flying field. I wouldn’t even trust Futaba or JR to fly that thing around. You’d be out of range before you could do a split S to turn around. You might find a used Lear Jet engine to get it off the ground. It never used Landing gear and I can’t even tell you what to do with that. Its way over my head on what to do with a 50’s vintage Jet powered UAV.

Dan

[T.Jindivik]

Well, the engine needs to be took off and put a new one in as well.

I'm still not so sure what the exact fund for this project. Also, unsure if this Jindivik's owner is gonna approve the project or not. All depend upon the cost and whether it's worth wasting time and money. Though obtaining certificate or re-certificate would also be an obstacle.

The undercarriage may need to be designed as well. (difficult again)

This "guy" is currently finished and in the storage. Our work is to revive it.

I'm currently researching on what "cheap" should be put into the vehicle.

[Unterhausen]

I'm going to say it's not economic to revive this unless you can find some really skilled aeronautical engineers that will work for free.

[macboffin]

The project would certainly be extremely expensive; and what are going to do with it when complete apart from static display? It could only be flown on a Government test range, after an enormous amount of paper-work and inspections etc, and of course the control equipment would cost a lot more than the airframe.

[T.Jindivik]

Well, it is gonna be used as hi-speed research UAV testbed on a government test range as my supervisor said. What I'm doing is to provide "them" a good picture of how this is going to cost with what are going to be fitted within the airframe. I hope the benefits in cost saving should outweigh the benefits of new acquisition.

[macboffin]

These were flown out of Woomera, amongst other places,(One being Ben Becula in Scotland, one, the main operating base, Llanbedr in Wales. Usually had a chase plane in attendance, Hawk or Canberra. They were operated for Min of Def by an outfit called "SERCO". They might be a source of info, bits etc.You can find them on Google