Development of a novel rule-based controlled strategy on a hybrid electric UAV

Hybrid electric propulsion has gained significant attention in reducing the fuel consumption and pollution emissions of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The problem of managing the energy within the powertrain of the aircraft is still a major concern within the aviation industry. This can be accomplished through an effective energy management strategy that ensures that the energy within the aircraft is properly distributed. In this paper, a novel rule-based control strategy is developed as an energy management strategy for a fixed-wing UAV used for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Firstly, a simulation model of four powertrain architectures of the aircraft is presented: Conventional, electric, serial hybrid, and parallel hybrid architectures. Then, a novel rule-based control strategy was developed as an energy management strategy, allowing the aircraft to switch between various operating modes throughout its mission. Through simulation, it was shown that the aircraft with hybrid electric propulsion systems could save about 22% of fuel compared to an aircraft with a conventional powertrain system for varying mission profiles.