Our project developed in 2022-2023.

Kolibri is a fixed-wing VTOL UAS with two tiltrotor motors mounted to its wingtips and a third smaller motor in the tail. Kolibri takes off vertically and climbs to a safe altitude before transitioning into a fixed-wing configuration. The transition process involves the two tiltrotor motors tilting forwards, and the third smaller motor being powered down. Kolibri will fly to its destination in fixed-wing configuration before transitioning back to full VTOL mode or a midpoint between the two to maximise the accuracy of payload deployment. The extent of the transition will depend on the mission range and weather conditions. Kolibri will then transition back to fixed-wing mode to complete the endurance portion of the mission.

Kolibri

All aspects of Kolibri have been designed to maximise ease of operation:

·      If the operation must be carried out over difficult terrain: VTOL capabilities negate any need for a maintained landing strip.

·      If the UAS needs to be optimised for a different mission scenario: battery units can be added or removed to suit, simple and light wing extensions can be fitted to the standard aircraft, or one can simply use the heavy lift variant with its more powerful propulsion system.

·      If the operator lacks flying experience or confidence: the aircraft is fully optimised for autonomous flight, with an easy-to-use UI, and a fully documented open source software for any operators who’d like to tweak her.

·      If a Kolibri suffers a failure: Simply take out the second aircraft from its competition sized container.

Engineering Design Ethos

Kolibri has been engineered with modularity as a key design ethos. As a result, a heavy lift variant of Kolibri has been designed to maximise fixed-wing flight efficiency. The heavy lift variant will be equipped with wing tip extensions and a more powerful propulsion package that provides additional wing area and an improved aspect ratio achieved with a longer wingspan, while still fitting in the same storage container.

Watch Kolibri

Official IMechE video showcasing drone footage of Kolibri waypoint mission.