Design and Development of Fixed-Wing UAV with Hovering Capabilities

Abstract

: This paper presents the design and development of a tiltrotor tricopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that integrates the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability of multirotors with the aerodynamic efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft. The proposed hybrid configuration overcomes the limitations of conventional UAVs— runway dependency in fixed-wing systems and low endurance in multirotors—through an optimized tri-rotor structure featuring two front tiltable rotors and one rear rotor. This arrangement enables smooth transition between vertical and forward flight while maintaining structural simplicity. A hybrid control architecture, incorporating GPS-based navigation and real-time telemetry, ensures autonomous and stable operation across flight modes. The system emphasizes cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency by minimizing mechanical complexity and optimizing power utilization