Force measurement keeps UAVs flying high

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are revolutionising various industries, from agriculture and entertainment to logistics and defence. UAVs, commonly known as drones, operate without a human pilot. A pilot controls them remotely on the ground or autonomously through pre-programmed flight plans or artificial intelligence. UAVs have dramatically increased in popularity and applications across various sectors, revolutionising industries and creating new opportunities for the use of these specialised aerospace vehicles. Current market estimates note there are more than 5 million units worldwide, which is estimated to grow to more than 7.5 billion in the next five years. The market size of UAVs for commercial, civil, and defence purposes is currently estimated to be valued at $30 billion today and will grow to $48 billion by 2028. In the US, the FAA currently has more than 785,000 registered drones, with more than half for commercial purposes. There are various configurations of UAVs, each designed for specific tasks and environments.

• Fixed-wing UAVs resemble traditional airplanes with wings and a fuselage. They offer long endurance, high speed, and efficient flight, making them ideal for surveillance, mapping, and long-range missions.
• Rotary-wing UAVs, like helicopters and multi-rotors, are known for their vertical take-off and landing capabilities, hovering, and manoeuvrability, making them suitable for aerial photography, inspections, and deliveries.
• Hybrid UAVs combine features of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing designs, offering versatility and adaptability for various missions.

As this market expands, ensuring UAV performance, reliability, and safety becomes critical. Force measurement solutions are crucial in achieving these goals, offering engineers valuable insights during design, testing, and operation. Force sensors, including load cells and multi-axis sensors, provide precise data on loads, stresses, and strains experienced by UAV components. To validate components and UAVs during flight, these sensors provide information that helps engineers optimise designs, validate structural integrity, and ensure airworthiness. Engineers can identify weaknesses in unmanned aerial vehicles by measuring forces during tests like wing fatigue, manoeuvrability, motor torque, fine-tuning control systems, and maximising flight performance. Forces can be monitored in flight using wireless sensors, enabling the detection of anomalies, overload conditions, or component failures, contributing to safer operations. Force data collected throughout the UAV lifecycle helps ensure compliance with industry regulations, maintain quality control, and support maintenance decisions.

Force Measurement Expanded Applications and Testing Use Cases

• Advanced Material Testing
• Wing Testing
• Motor Torque Testing
• Environmental Testing
• Payload Integration and Delivery
• Collision Avoidance Systems
• Swarm Technology
• Flight Control Systems
• Simulators
• Launch Validation
• Structural Testing

UAVs have found applications across a broad spectrum of industries and sectors. In the civil domain, they are used for aerial photography, filmmaking, surveying, and search and rescue operations. Commercially, UAVs have revolutionised agriculture, enabling precision farming, crop monitoring, and spraying. They are also used for infrastructure inspections, package delivery, and telecommunications. In the defence sector, UAVs are used for surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, and combat operations. As technology advances, the potential applications of UAVs are boundless, promising further innovation and transformation across various fields. Force measurement solutions are essential for driving innovation and ensuring the continued growth of the UAV market. By providing engineers with valuable data and insights, these technologies enable the development of safer, more reliable, and higher-performing UAVs for diverse applications. As the UAV industry continues to evolve, the role of force measurement solutions in pushing boundaries and achieving new heights will only become more critical.

Video: Drone parcel delivery application

Watch this short video to see how our force measurement solutions allow delivery drone propeller motors to compensate for weight shifting or uneven weight distribution of a package, to lift and fly the package to its destination.

Interface products relevant for UAV testing

• 1000 series fatigue-rated load cells for air-frame and wing fatigue test (100 million fully reversed cycles ensure repeatability and reliability)
• 1000 series or 6-axis load cells for propeller blade tests (insensitive to extraneous or off-axis loads)
• 1200 series load cell for engine test stands, thrust tests
• 1200 series load less for undercarriage drop tests
• Rotary or Reaction torque transducers for control surface testing and engine torque output tests
• 5400s Axial torsion load cells for under-carriage tests
• Custom load pins for replacing mounting bolts in hard-to-test areas such as engine mounting bolts

Force measurement solutions for UAVs - find out more

• Please get in touch to discuss how we can help with your UAV application.