Fixed Wing VTOL for Emergency Medical Vaccine Supply

Overview

This project focused on the development of a fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft specifically designed for the rapid aerial transport of medical vaccines. Supported by a research grant awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, I contributed as a research assistant, leveraging prior expertise in unmanned aerial systems.

The research scope encompassed the comprehensive design, fabrication, and rigorous flight testing of the aircraft, which featured a modular architecture optimized for efficient disassembly and logistical transport.

Aircraft Design

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was modeled employing SolidWorks 2023 and Blender3D. The structural design prioritized modularity; the wings, fuselage, tail section, and control surfaces were engineered for independent detachment, thereby facilitating streamlined logistical transport and rapid field assembly.

SolidWorks model of the fixed-wing VTOL aircraft — UAV design in SolidWorks.

Additional SolidWorks view of the fixed-wing VTOL aircraft — Another view of the aircraft design.

The structural framework integrated carbon fiber rods with precision laser-cut plywood components. Essential mounting interfaces were fabricated via 3D printing utilizing Polylactic Acid (PLA), while Depron foam sheets were utilized to construct the aerodynamic outer fuselage.

Aircraft Building

The aircraft's construction methodology employed a hybrid structural approach, integrating laser-cut plywood elements with high-strength carbon fiber reinforcements. This modular structural paradigm was instrumental in achieving both ease of assembly and enhanced portability.

Laser-cut plywood parts for the VTOL aircraft — Laser-cut plywood components.

Assembly of the laser-cut parts and carbon fiber rods — Assembling the frame with carbon fiber rods.

Further assembly of the VTOL aircraft structure — Further progress on the aircraft assembly.

Custom mounting interfaces were additively manufactured using PLA to guarantee structural integrity and ensure a precise, low-tolerance fit for the integrated avionics and propulsion subsystems.

Flight Tests

Preliminary design constraints identified during the initial prototyping phase were systematically resolved prior to flight testing. The aircraft successfully executed vertical take-off sequences in both stabilized and GPS-guided autonomous modes, achieving an operational altitude of approximately 30 meters. Subsequent flight trials demonstrated a stable transition into forward fixed-wing flight, followed by a controlled VTOL landing sequence.

Empirical flight data indicated an average endurance of approximately 5 minutes during sustained VTOL hover operations.

VTOL test altitude: ~30 m
VTOL flight duration: ~5 min
Take-off modes tested: Stabilize & GPS

Fixed-wing VTOL aircraft in flight, viewed from below — The aircraft during flight testing.

Airborne VTOL aircraft showing its wings, tail, and lift rotors — Another view of the aircraft in flight.

Completed VTOL aircraft on a stand at the outdoor test site — The assembled aircraft at the test field.

VTOL aircraft hovering with an operator holding a radio transmitter — VTOL testing at the field.