Hybrid power plant for UAVs from MAI
Promising GSU at the assembly stage
A number of domestic organizations are now developing advanced power plants specifically for unmanned aerial vehicles. One of the projects of this kind is being created at the Moscow Aviation Institute. It is based on a hybrid scheme, which will provide high technical and economic characteristics. While the project is in its early stages, the first flight of a demonstrator aircraft with a new hybrid installation is planned for this fall.
In the process of development
MAI has extensive experience in the development aviation propulsion systems of different classes, and now it is used in a new project. A hybrid power plant (HPU) for UAVs is being developed at the department 203 "Design and design of engines". The initiator and one of the main participants of the project is the design engineer Kirill Balyasny. Other specialists and students of the Moscow Aviation Institute also participate in the work.
As reported, the design work on the new topic started in May last year and received the support of the MAI leadership. In November, the developing project was presented at the intersectoral competition "Youth and the Future of Aviation and Astronautics", and it won first place in the direction of power plants.
Shortly after that, in December, the management of the Institute, incl. rector Mikhail Pogosyan. The authors were recommended to continue the development of the project in order to create a whole line of aviation HCS. Such products, which have different characteristics, in the future can be used on a variety of aircraft.
In February, the authors of the project reported on the successful continuation of the work. At that time, technical documentation was developed, and a ground test bench was made. Inspections of individual components were carried out and the production of new units continued. In general, the assembly of the GSU demonstrator was at the final stage.
In the near future it was planned to begin bench tests. At this stage, it is necessary to check the operation of individual components, incl. new development, and installation in general. In particular, special attention will be paid to the development of the control system, which ensures the synchronous operation of two engines.
During the year, MAI will build a technology demonstrator aircraft with a new HSU. Its flight tests will begin in autumn; a more precise date is not known. Based on the results of full-scale tests, a promising project will be able to reach production and implementation. However, the timing of this remains uncertain.
Under the hybrid scheme
A new hybrid power plant from MAI is being developed for use on aircraft of various classes and taking into account its requirements. In the future, it is proposed to equip UAVs weighing 400-600 kg or aircraft of the lightest classes with it.
Installation composition
In general, GSU is considered as a domestic analogue of foreign foreign products. So, in terms of power density and mass, it will be similar to the Rotax 912UL. This will bring technical and economic benefits, as well as some new opportunities. In the future, it is possible to develop new modifications or products with other characteristics.
The GSU is built on the basis of an internal combustion engine. This is a gasoline two-stroke aircraft engine RMZ-500 with a power of 50 hp. An electric motor of an unnamed model is also used, capable of operating in generator mode. Engine power - 14-18 kW (18-24 hp) depending on the mode. The engines are connected to each other and to the propeller through a newly developed gearbox. The electric motor is connected to power electronics and control equipment. The project also provides for the use of a lithium-polymer buffer battery with a capacity of 0,9 kW.
The new GSU is distinguished by a high degree of localization - about 70% of the units are of domestic origin. At the same time, the remaining 30% of imports include vital components such as an electric motor controller, a battery and various sensors. In the future, the share of foreign products is planned to be reduced to 10-15 percent.
The own weight of such a HSU is 63,5 kg. Estimated power in different modes varies from 34 to 57,2 kW (45-76 hp). Specific power - 0,9 kW / kg, specific fuel consumption - from 333 to 550 g / kW. Thanks to the use of available components, such as the RMZ-500 engine, the cost of the product is within 500 thousand rubles.
UAV propulsion system "Orion" / "Pacer"
According to the project, the internal combustion engine will operate continuously and in all flight modes, providing the required technical and economic characteristics. In level flight with stable parameters, the electric motor must act as a generator and charge the battery. During takeoff or climb, the electric motor will generate additional thrust. In addition, the electric motor can be used when the main engine fails.
Expected Benefits
The promising GSU from MAI has not yet passed the entire test cycle on the stand and in the air, but its main features and advantages are already clear. In this respect, it does not differ from other developments of its class. Like other HCS, the new one will have several modes of operation that will be able to provide the optimal balance of technical and economic characteristics at all stages of flight.
The GSU is proposed for use on manned and unmanned aircraft. At the same time, the UAV proposal is of the greatest interest. It is the unmanned systems of some classes that are able to most fully realize the potential of hybrid installations. In addition, now in our country there are certain difficulties with engines for UAVs of medium and heavy classes - and the MAI project is able to resolve this situation in the future.
According to calculations, GSU with a capacity of up to 55-60 hp. suitable for use on drones weighing up to 500-600 kg. In this weight category, reconnaissance and reconnaissance-strike aircraft with limited speed and long flight duration can be built. On such equipment, piston engines with the required level of performance are usually used.
The engine and screw reconnaissance-strike UAV "Forpost-RU"
The GSU from MAI in the proposed form is quite suitable for use on UAVs of this category. At the same time, it will be possible to obtain a certain increase in flight data in comparison with similar designs, but with “conventional” power plants. You should also take into account the capabilities of the HCS to generate electricity required by the onboard equipment of the drone.
It is important that the current GSU with a power of up to 60 hp. is only the first experimental sample. If this development shows itself well, new installations with different levels of characteristics can be created on its basis. Different samples of this family can be used in various aviation technology projects, primarily on existing or prospective heavy class UAVs.
It is also planned to offer a hybrid installation to amateur aviation. This category of equipment also faces a lack of suitable engines, and a promising family of projects from the MAI can solve this problem. It is curious that in the case of amateur ultralight aircraft, the main advantage of the GSU will be lower cost compared to foreign counterparts.
Reserve for the future
In general, the new project of an aviation hybrid power plant from the MAI is of interest and may have a great future. Products of this kind are quite capable of finding their place in domestic and, possibly, foreign aviation. At the same time, with their help, it will be possible to close virtually empty niches - and give new opportunities to military and civil aviators.
However, while a promising project is in its early stages. The first bench tests of the new GSU are planned to begin only now. The first full-fledged flight is scheduled for autumn, and the timing and likelihood of launching the series are still in question. However, MAI specialists have extensive experience in the field of aircraft engines, and he will help them in solving their tasks.
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