Development of OPV (Optional Piloted Vehicle) for Polar Research

Abstract

OPV (Optional Piloted Vehicle) is one of the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) development techniques and methods that can provide economical and efficient unmanned systems. Conventional manned aircraft are evaluated through numerous flight operations in a variety of environments, including extreme cold, and can provide a reliable aircraft platform, engine and subsystem for operation. Developing UAVs using proven manned aircraft can therefore reduce development time and risk of accidents. In addition, since manned aircraft generally have a large payload and can operate for a longer time than UAVs, it is advantageous to explore a wide area with a variety of mission equipment. This paper describes the basic specifications of OPV development using CTLS aircraft. This includes plans to install basic devices for unmanned operation (flight control systems, control surface actuators, communication equipment, ground control equipment), and various mission equipment such as cameras, RADAR, and some sensors for polar research. CTLS is a two-seater aircraft designed specifically for the Light Sport category. By replacing the Rotax 912 ULS engine with the Rotax 912 IS engine to convert CTLS airplane to OPV, fuel efficiency can be improved more than 32%. It is also designed to be unmanned by control surface actuator, throttle and brake actuator. An alternator is added to secure the power supply for the mounted systems (unmanned system, sensor, etc.) and can be supplemented by the required power. In addition, a vehicle type ground control device capable of controlling the OPV from the ground is developed. Mission equipment can be equipped with various sensors through design changes. UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) radar antenna arrays will be installed on aircraft wings to observe the subglacial topography of Antarctica. The airplane is also designed for variable installation of Lidar, hyperspectral sensors, and SAR (Synthetic-Aperture Radar) for various polar researches. The communication device is comprised of an on-board communication device and a ground communication device, and is designed to control and monitor the OPV within a 50 km operation range via two line-of-sight data links. In addition, the satellite data link can be added to control and monitor the aircraft even at a distance of 300 km or more. The ground control system has a basic function of aircraft control, mission control and monitoring functions. It is reinforced with a Cockpit Display Traffic information (CDTI) that can display surrounding conditions and weather conditions to support safe operation. By constructing a HILS (Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation), it is possible to develop a more stable system by checking the operation mode, training the operators, improving the reliability of flight and unmanned platform and verifying tests. The HILS system can be used to carry out tests for each equipment and system and identify systems to be added or changed. ADS-B based unmanned aerial collision avoidance system is under development and further automatic takeoff and landing system and satellite data link will be developed in the near future. These functions will compensate for the inconvenience of operating distance and operability of vehicle. The OPV will be used for Antarctic exploration with various mission equipment and will be used for Antarctic exploration, beginning with test flights in Antarctica in 2022.