BARNARD MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED

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unmanned air ...

airframes

The robust RJX1 airframe for UAV testing

My team specializes in fabricating airframes that’s appropriate for testing unmanned aerial vehicle components. Our airframes are made of hybrid composite material, mainly fiberglass, epoxy resin, carbon fibre, wood and foam. These airframes float on water! One of our airframes is the RJX1 shown below.

The RJX1 employs an inverted v-tail configuration which gives some advantages. The same servos used to control elevator is also used to control rudder. This translates to less number of servos which means reduction in weight and longer battery power for other servos. Inverted V-tail also gives the airframe a unique look that gives the aircraft some character.

Apart from excellent handling qualities, perhaps what makes an airframe great for UAV testing is a fuselage cabin that offers ample space to put test equipment. This is not always the case with some off-the-shelf remote control aircraft where space inside the fuselage can barely fit a receiver and battery pack. A good fuselage cabin can accommodate equipment such as an autopilot system, radio modems, video transmitters, video cameras and plenty of battery packs! The RJX1 offers just that, ample of space to put equipment.

For RJX1, we use the Zenoah 80-size petrol engine. The engine has been specially modified to be used on a pusher configuration aircraft like the RJX1. The twin cylinder design is an excellent technology that helps to reduce engine vibration which can be a problem for UAV related operations. Using this 7.5 horse power engine with a 24x10 propeller will create a push for this airframe (with a 3kg ballast) to takeoff from a runway merely 50m long (zero headwind, zero flaps).

Using reliable servos to control the flight control surfaces is important to our customers so we recommend only the most reliable ones. We have used the Futaba S3305 high torque standard servos for years. The analogue servo produces 8.9 kg.cm. There are 8 servos altogether on this aircraft: 2 for ailerons, 2 for flaps, 2 for elevator/rudder, 1 for engine throttle and 1 for nose wheel control. Because the servos we used are standard size servos, customers may choose to use other branded servos of the same size to fit into the servo mountings.

One of the greatest advantages of small scale UAVs is that it can be carried to a site close to the test area of interest and launch it without the use of a proper runway or an airport. The RJX1 can be launched from any flat piece of land that is relatively smooth such as a grassy field, sand or soil. The challenge of landing is even greater since the UAV is usually heavy with the entire payload onboard. We have designed a solid but light weight landing gear which absorbs the impact of landing. We have included all these details in our design and produced a strong and robust landing gear for our airframe.

The RJX1 is easy to be transported – you can dismantle or assemble the components with ease. The components of the airframe should be able to fit into a pick up truck or a decent size 4-wheel drive vehicle.

When our team put all these together, we found that we have created a great airframe that’s suitable for various UAV testing purposes. Our experiences have seen the airframe work well with off-the-shelf autopilot system, remote control system, our custom-made camera pod and other equipment such as data logger, GPS modules and high power long range video transmitters.

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Because we design these airframes, you may have your preference to certain servo brand or engine. We are more than happy to accept requests and will take the effort to make customization. In the unlikely event during your flight testing the airframe experience minor damage, we provide services to repair those damaged parts. We also provide spare parts components of RJX1. Complete instructions on how to assemble and dismantle the airframe is provided. But most importantly we want you to experience the joy of using our product so we will provide assistance if needed, when needed.

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The RJX1 is for sale. For more information, you can contact me at:

Zairil A. Zaludin

36, Jalan UP3/2,

Ukay Perdana, Ulu Kelang,

68000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel (mobile): +6-012-2912940

Tel (office): +6-03-41050937

Email: zeq@hotmail.com

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