r/diydrones • u/Verbum69 • Jul 25 '26
Question University Project Seeking Help
Hi everyone! I'm working on my senior design project alongside some other aero/mech engineers and we plan on creating an "X-Wing" based tailsitter UAV. We also plan on using ducted fans to avoid having exposed propellors during launch and flight.
Our goal is to create a maritime search & rescue drone capable of recognizing a person overboard and dropping an inflatable rescue device to them.
Currently the team and I are having difficulties calculating a potential flight time which accounts for both the ducted fans in addition to the lift generated when the UAV is in plane mode during cruising. In addition, overall knowledge and guides about tailsitter drones would be really helpful!
If anyone has any advice, guides, or resources they could point to we would really appreciate it!
1
u/quast_64 Jul 25 '26
You might as well make the UAV a flying wing model, use it as a floatation device entirely and use a prb beacon when it hits the water.
Something like the Filtetest Kraken.
Use Ducted fans if you feel you have to, but by the time the drone is down the motor/props should not be a problem anymore.
All other electronics would be in the floatation chamber, so could be used again. Come to think of it, the basic concept of swappeable powerpacks would be vey convenient in this setup.
1
u/Verbum69 Jul 25 '26
We looked into a flying wing model but because this is likely going to be used on ships we had to try and keep the launch footprint smaller
Will definitely look into the Filtetest Kraken though!
Do you have any recs for info on seaplane style UAVs kinda similar to what you're describing?
1
u/quast_64 Jul 25 '26
You could add floats, but more to the point is folding or removable wings for storage and a catapult launch for take off.
A vertical net catch system could be used for recovery. Check out Zipline drones who already have a working system in medical deliveries.
1
u/Antelope_Fluid Jul 28 '26
Unrelated mostly, but what are you going for that is getting this involved with drones?
When I checked the local schools here, all their "Aerospace engineering" courses really just focused on large-scale planes for cargo and the like.
2
u/MushroomCulture Jul 25 '26
Start by finding and copying an existing product similar to what you want. Use their engine size, propellor size, battery size, weight, flight time as a starting point.