Just wanted to drop a quick note about our PD-1 UAS and of course to hear your opinion about it. As some of you may already know we are a Ukrainian-based company that develop and produce our own UAV systems and payload. We've been working for a while to develop and start a mass production of our own airframe and payloads. And after that spent even more time trying to put it all together. Please welcome new player on UAV arena - PD-1 Unmanned Aerial System.
PD-1 UAV is a fixed-wing 3 meter wing-span unmanned arial vehicle. It is equipped with gyro-stabilized gimbal with EO and IR sensors and photo camera for aerial photo mapping. There is still enough space for additional payloads, such as radio repeater, LIDAR or any other custom options.
One of our achievements is that PD-1 UAS is currently on service in UkrainianArmy. It is positively rated by officials and it has spent hundreds of hours in actual military operation. Our UAVs were operated in conditions where GPS/Glonass and control signals were jammed by Electronic Warfare Systems and still successfully completed their missions. Based on our experience and feedback from military operators we continuously improve our unmanned aerial system and add new features.
PD-1 is capable of staying in the air for more then 5 hours with maximum payload and fuel capacity. This is while using regular 2-stoke engine without any modifications. We can greatly extend flight time if we add on-board generator and Electronic Fuel Injection. Service celling is 2000 meters. Telemetry datalink works for 85+ km and send all information to the ground. Including fuel level, engine temperature, outside temperature, battery status, etc. We develop whole sensor system from scratch to ensure that operator has all information from the UAV. Real-time Full HD video reception works in 50 km range. PD-1 UAV can stream video to multiple GCS or portable terminals. This means that different groups of people/operators can receive video and other information from UAV in real-time.
USG-212 gimbal is equipped with Full HD Sony sensor with 30 x optical zoom. Which allows it to be operated on altitudes above 1000 meters and easily detect objects. Thermal camera allow to use gimbal during night time or low visibility conditions. USG-212 can be installed not only on UAV, but also on helicopters or small manned aircrafts. Here is some video from USG-212 recorded on GCS. What is actually remarkable is that Ground Control Station that recorded this video was 37 kilometres away from the UAV, so it also shows the capabilities of our video link system.
That was only a few things that I wanted to share with you guys. And by the way PD-1 airframe itself is available for integrators and enthusiasts to develop their own projects. If you have any questions or there is anything more you'd like to know or see about our system please comment and we will share more information and content with you.
And endurance would be phenomenal, these things just sip gas.
It's only 3.5 HP, but may be possible it could be mounted output shaft up or down and maxing out at 8000 RPM could make it a nice belt drive to your slow rotor.
Next to an ungodly expensive commercial UAV built fuel injected engine, this may be about as close as you can come.
From what I can see you would be pioneering it for Heli use, but you aren't trying to build a 3D acrobat.
Zenoahs are just remade chain saw motors but not anywhere near as good as Husky or better, Stihl.
From where you are from I'll bet you already know that.
The problem with a hobby RC engines is the low service life and high service interval. Yes they produce a ton of power but efficiency and reliability are generally the desired traits of UAV engines. They're intended to be used a couple of hours every weekend, not day in day out in varying climates/altitudes. I've never seen a reliable hobby engine with EFI conversion, maybe someone has a different experience. We've used everything from OS, DA, DLE, and the likes on UAVs only to suffer from constant tuning and failures. Truthfully I haven't tried the OS EFI 55cc motor as its too small for my application but I'm curious to know how it really performs 50-100 hours in.There's a reason why Hirth engines are the go to for professional UAVs. Also anxious to see a Husky swinging a prop or rotors.
You should rather go for a dedicated RC plane/heli engine. E.g. from HobbyKing if you are OK with its quality.
These engines are already as lightweight as possible.
And they are also optimised to run at the top RPM/power for long period of times; if properly cooled. E.g. the typical 50cc 2 stroke mini dirt bike engine has usually only half the power of the 50cc RC plane engine ...
Ok, well the Husqvarnas appear to have some interesting engine tech, particularly the "Autotune" technology. But I don't see them offering them as stand alone commercial engines? That would leave me buying a chainsaw, disassembling it, and then trying to figure out how to mount a PTO.
Swedish Husqvarna produces small, very sophisticated 2-stroke engines. Among other things, intended for their (expensive) strong and reliable chainsaws. Works great in winter and difficult conditions. Uses about 30% less fuel than the competitor. Less fuel to drag along (in winter) and high operational reliability. Together justifies a higher price.
Comments
Hi Rob,
I don't know if a 4 stroke can make enough power for you, but Saito is quite high quality and their 40CC single is very reliable and easy to use.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/airplanes/airplane-engines-15042--1/fg-...
And endurance would be phenomenal, these things just sip gas.
It's only 3.5 HP, but may be possible it could be mounted output shaft up or down and maxing out at 8000 RPM could make it a nice belt drive to your slow rotor.
Next to an ungodly expensive commercial UAV built fuel injected engine, this may be about as close as you can come.
From what I can see you would be pioneering it for Heli use, but you aren't trying to build a 3D acrobat.
Zenoahs are just remade chain saw motors but not anywhere near as good as Husky or better, Stihl.
From where you are from I'll bet you already know that.
Best,
Gary
Yep, agree as well. No way I'm running some junky hobby motor.
Zenoah's are pretty good though. They don't make a tone of power, but they are based on commercial duty motors.
Totally agree with Chris. The engine has to be reliable and needs to be operated on everyday basis.
The problem with a hobby RC engines is the low service life and high service interval. Yes they produce a ton of power but efficiency and reliability are generally the desired traits of UAV engines. They're intended to be used a couple of hours every weekend, not day in day out in varying climates/altitudes. I've never seen a reliable hobby engine with EFI conversion, maybe someone has a different experience. We've used everything from OS, DA, DLE, and the likes on UAVs only to suffer from constant tuning and failures. Truthfully I haven't tried the OS EFI 55cc motor as its too small for my application but I'm curious to know how it really performs 50-100 hours in.There's a reason why Hirth engines are the go to for professional UAVs. Also anxious to see a Husky swinging a prop or rotors.
You should rather go for a dedicated RC plane/heli engine. E.g. from HobbyKing if you are OK with its quality.
These engines are already as lightweight as possible.
And they are also optimised to run at the top RPM/power for long period of times; if properly cooled. E.g. the typical 50cc 2 stroke mini dirt bike engine has usually only half the power of the 50cc RC plane engine ...
Ok, well the Husqvarnas appear to have some interesting engine tech, particularly the "Autotune" technology. But I don't see them offering them as stand alone commercial engines? That would leave me buying a chainsaw, disassembling it, and then trying to figure out how to mount a PTO.
Rob: The tex say "This is while using regular 2-stoke engine without any modifications" so it was at tip of a alternativ.
what performence improvement have you acheived with the winglets?
Is this plane using a Husqvarna engine?
I'd be interested to see what they have to offer.
Swedish Husqvarna produces small, very sophisticated 2-stroke engines. Among other things, intended for their (expensive) strong and reliable chainsaws. Works great in winter and difficult conditions. Uses about 30% less fuel than the competitor. Less fuel to drag along (in winter) and high operational reliability. Together justifies a higher price.
BTW, I've greatly improved your Quadcopter PC-1.
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