Designing a Blended Wing Body Aircraft Globally

The goal of the “Hyperion” aircraft project has four components: (1) design the wing structure of the Hyperion to improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce energy consumption, (2) implement autonomous control, (3) Flight test a coaxial hybrid propulsion system, (4) develop a global student collaboration. A first design of the modular frame was a flying wing geometry. The second design adopted blended wing architecture with appropriate sweep and control surfaces. For testing purposes cheap half-scale models were built with electric motor to test the RC controls and assure flight stability before the full size aircraft is flown. Wind tunnel tests are done with half scale models and 1/12 scale models manufactured with a 3D printing technique. The full size aircraft flight test is expected in Spring 2013. Initially the aircraft will be flown in RC mode. When the control of the aircraft is fully understood the electric motor will be replaced with a novel coaxial hybrid propulsion system. After reliable flights the aircraft will be flown with autonomous control. Select design efforts and manufacturing were done in collaboration with students from the University of Stuttgart and the University of Sydney in a virtual and physical collaboration environment. 

Proceedings of the 9th International CDIO Conference, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 9 – 13, 2013