Description du projet
Améliorer les capacités des drones pour effectuer des missions plus longues
La technologie des aéronefs sans pilotes (ASP), ou drones, progresse rapidement. Néanmoins, en raison notamment de leur temps de vol limité et de la nécessité de les recharger fréquemment, leur adoption sur le marché reste faible. En effet, en cas de besoin de déploiement massif de drones électriques, la manipulation et la recharge des batteries représentent un problème logistique majeur. C’est pourquoi les grandes plateformes aériennes ou les grands systèmes de drones propulsés par des moteurs à combustion interne (MCI) restent les options favorites pour les missions de longue durée. Cependant, leur prix et leur coût d’exploitation sont élevés. Le projet UAVEndure II, financé par l’UE, propose une approche unique qui repose sur la combinaison des deux technologies. Il entend améliorer les capacités des petits drones électriques afin qu’ils deviennent une véritable alternative à leurs homologues plus gros et plus coûteux.
Objectif
UAV flight time is critical for several mission scenarios, as frequent recharging or refuelling limits the effective availability and
service time, as well as range. This has thus far prevented the use of fully electric unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), since
their performance scales unfavourably with the size/intensity of the UAV operation. Moreover, when small electric UAVs are
massively deployed, and particularly in time critical mission, the handling and charging of many battery packs becomes a
logistical problem. Thus, manned aerial platforms (helicopters and planes) or large (>25 kg) fixed-wing UAV systems,
powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) have been the preferred option for long endurance missions such as
monitoring and surveying. However, these large systems present high CAPEX and OPEX, mostly due to the oversized
nature of these systems.
The unique approach of UAVEndure II project is the combination of two technologies, namely small fixed-wing UAVs and
fuel-cell power generation at a downsized scale and price not attempted before. The rationale is to harvest all the benefits of
small electric UAVs, while having access to high endurance hitherto only possible with large aerial platforms propelled by
ICE.
Sky-Watch (SKY) and KraftWerk (KWT) have jointly developed the next generation fuel cell propulsion system for small
UAVs - ELJUN - to cover the needs of drone OEMs and end-users for increased flight range/time of small UAVs. ELJUN
provides 10x more flight range than LiPO battery. This is expected to further increase the usability of these small systems as
an alternative to larger, costlier drones, thus untapping wider access to the use of this technology in civil and governmental
applications. Thus, we expect ELJUN to become a new reference in the sector.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraftrotorcraft
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinateur
9530 Stovring
Danemark
L’entreprise s’est définie comme une PME (petite et moyenne entreprise) au moment de la signature de la convention de subvention.