Engineering World
E-ISSN: 2692-5079 An Open Access, Peer Reviewed Journal of Selected Publications in Engineering and Applied Sciences
Volume 7, 2025
An Overview of Unconventional Wing Designs for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: , , , ,
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Abstract: This work presents examples of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of unconventional wing designs, in order to meet specific operational requirements, especially for military operations. Key design requirements concern packaging considerations in terms of volume, configuration, mass and in-flight deployment mechanisms. The description includes a reference to the available deployable wing options and design types, encompassing flexible versus rigid structures or transformative mechanisms facilitating either deployment or expansion of wing apertures. These configurations can be integrated into various categories of UAVs, including foldable, inflatable, nested, or extensible designs, critically assessed to facilitate engineers in choosing the right design for the intended mission.
Keywords:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAV, wing designs, folding wings, inflatable wings, nested wings, telescopic wings, wing morphing, swept configuration
Pages: 136-145
DOI: 10.37394/232025.2025.7.15