OUR PROJECTS
IMechE UAS Challenge 2023
Project SYLPH
This year's standout, Project Sylph, emerged as a formidable quadcopter with an MTOM of 10 kg, constructed from a blend of biodegradable 3D filament and robust carbon fiber. Packed with bespoke features, Sylph boasts a gimbal for precise object detection and a payload mechanism capable of carrying up to 2.5kg of payload. Its innovative umbrella folding design facilitates easy transportation, and an energy recovery system harvests power from unpowered motors to recharge the battery.
With a commendable flight time of nearly 20 minutes under a full payload, Sylph also showcases object detection capabilities, particularly beneficial for humanitarian relief operations. In a stellar performance, it secured the top spot at the IMechE UAS Challenge Pakistan 2023, winning the competition and the prestigious Outreach Award.
AUVSI SUAS Competition 2023
Project ALTAIR
This year’s contender, named Altair, was a powerful hexacopter consisting of the most advanced features the team has incorporated to date; these include a gimbal for accurate object detection, a payload mechanism capable of carrying 5 bottles with speed retardation to minimize impact damage, six LiDAR sensors for mid-air collision avoidance, an umbrella folding design to ease in transportation, and an energy recovery system that harvests energy from unpowered motors to recharge the battery. With a flight time of more than 40 minutes, a range of nearly 12 miles, and a payload capacity of more than 5 kg, it proved to be a tough competitor.
With its impressive features, Altair managed to secure us an esteemed 6th place out of 75 teams that registered, beating other prestigious institutions such as MIT, Purdue, and Virginia Tech, among others. It also enabled us to become the first-ever Pakistani team in 21 years to finish in the Top 10 in the competition.
IMechE UAS Challenge 2022
Project BARQ
Project Barq, was designed to complete all core tasks of the challenge besides the optional tasks of Endurance and Area Search. Project Barq is a fixed-wing design having a trimotor configuration to enable short take-off and precision landing within a limited 10 x 10 m area. The aircraft uses a V-tail and glider wings to combat air resistance. Carbon fibre and styrofoam were used to maximize the strength-to-weight ratio, giving it high manoeuvrability and enhanced endurance.
In addition, it has retractable landing gears and a maximum take-off mass of 9.3 kg - with a payload carrying capacity of up to 3.5 kg. It can fly up to 60 knots and has a reverse-thrust mechanism. In 2022's spirited competition, Barq helped us stand 1st in Asia and 6th in the world at the live fly-offs and bag the Business Proposition Award for the second time in a row.
IMechE UAS Challenge 2021
Project SWALLOW
The global COVID-19 outbreak meant the live fly-offs had to be cancelled. However, the challenge commenced virtually. So, for the IMechE UAS Challenge 2021, our UAV was named Project Swallow. Project Swallow had a twin-tractor configuration designed to maximize the payload mass that could be carried. It had a mass of 7.43 kg, and combined with a payload of 2.65 kg, the total take-off mass of the aircraft was 10 kg for the mission.
It was designed to compete in a speed trial, waypoint marker identification, and area search as optional missions. The airframe and associated components were designed to minimize drag and improve performance. Furthermore, Project Swallow was capable of fully automated flight and image recognition. It turned out to be a brilliant design, as the team finished 5th in the world and 2nd in Asia while securing the Business Proposition Award for the first time.
IMechE UAS Challenge 2020
Project STINGRAY
Project Stingray was born as a result of the 2020 UAS Challenge. It was a fully-automated, fixed-wing aircraft that could deliver humanitarian aid to remote drop zones through specified waypoints. It was capable of being readily disassembled, transported, and reassembled. Furthermore, it had rapid loading capabilities and modest endurance. It also displayed structural efficiency and accurate navigation capabilities during the test runs. Winglets were also incorporated to reduce induced drag and improve energy efficiency.
Though it did not win us any awards, it received appreciation from the jury and participants for its unorthodox yet unique design.
IMechE UAS Challenge 2019
Project EURUS
In Foxtrot's debut year at the UAS Challenge, the name Eurus was coined for the first aircraft. Eurus was a fixed-wing, pusher configuration UA with the main wing at the back end of the aircraft and canards upfront. The UA had slow and fast flying capabilities. For this reason, a study of STOL aircraft with Short Take Off and Landing capability was conducted for payload deployment accuracy and landing constraint within a designated area.
Moreover, the aircraft had a robust propulsion system to ease it through the speed challenge. Other factors such as sweep, flaps, vortex generators, and taper were also considered for the design of the UA.
Eurus proved very capable, enabling us to secure the "Highest New Entrant Award" in our first attempt at the challenge. It showed that the team had the skill to compete with the best in the world.