Aerodynamics and flight control design for hovering Micro Air Vehicles

A general overview is presented on a new area of development, namely the 15-cm and smaller Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) technology. The general set of postulated mission requirements is the driver for the design configuration and performance specifications for this class of aircraft. Low-Reynolds number and thus low-aerodynamic efficiency, power density, weight, and stability in the presence of gust are significant technical challenges for the MAV-sized class of platforms to conduct long-endurance and range missions. A 15-cm hovering MAV concept is presented, with design attributes to circumvent the stabilization and control issues associated with the conventional helicopter. Aerodynamic, stabilization, and control approaches and analysis are presented.