The latest edition of the leading resource on unmanned aerial vehicle systems

In the newly revised Fifth Edition of Introduction to UAV Systems, an expert team of aviators, engineers, and researchers delivers the fundamentals of UAV systems for both professionals and students in UAV courses. Suitable for students in both Aerospace Engineering programs, as well as Flight and Aeronautics programs, this new edition now includes end-of-chapter questions and online instructor ancillaries that make it an ideal textbook.

As the perfect complement to the author's Design of Unmanned Aerial Systems, this book includes the history, classes, and missions of UAVs. It covers fundamental topics, like aerodynamics, stability and control, propulsion, loads and structures, mission planning, payloads, and communication systems. Brand-new materials in areas including autopilots, quadcopters, payloads, and ground control stations highlight the latest industry technologies.

The authors also discuss:

• A thorough introduction to the history of unmanned aerial vehicles, including their use in various conflicts, an overview of critical UAV systems, and the Predator/Reaper
• A comprehensive exploration of the classes and missions of UAVs, including several examples of UAV systems, like Mini UAVs, UCAVs, and quadcopters
• Practical discussions of air vehicles, including coverage of topics like aerodynamics, flight performance, stability, and control
• In-depth examinations of propulsion, loads, structures, mission planning, control systems, and autonomy

Perfect for professional aeronautical and aerospace engineers, as well as students and instructors in courses like Unmanned Aircraft Systems Design and Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems, Introduction to UAV Systems is also an indispensable resource for anyone. seeking coverage of the latest industry advances and technologies in UAV and UAS technology.

Table of Contents

Part One Introduction

Chapter 1 History and Overview

Chapter 2 Classes and Missions of UAVs

Part Two The Air Vehicle

Chapter 3 Aerodynamics

Chapter 4 Performance

Chapter 5 Flight Stability and Control

Chapter 6 Propulsion

Chapter 7 Air Vehicle Structures

Part Three Mission Planning and Control

Chapter 8 Mission Planning and Control Station

Chapter 9 Control of Air Vehicle and Payload

Part Four Payloads

Chapter 10 Reconnaissance/Surveillance Payloads

Chapter 11 Weapon Payloads

Chapter 12 Other Payloads

Part Five Data Links

Chapter 13 Data Link Functions and Attributes

Chapter 14 Data-Link Margin

Chapter 15 Data-Rate Reduction

Chapter 16 Data-Link Tradeoffs

Part Six Launch and Recovery

Chapter 17 Launch Systems

Chapter 18 Recovery Systems

Chapter 19 Launch and Recovery Tradeoffs

Chapter 20 Rotary-Wing UAVs and Quadcopters

About the Authors

The late Paul Fahlstrom was a Naval Aviator (Marine Pilot) who held positions at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the Department of Transportation.

The late Thomas Gleason, PhD, was Founder of Gleason Research Associates, an engineering and scientific analysis firm conducting evaluations related to missile and sensor systems.

Mohammad H. Sadraey is Associate Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at Southern New Hampshire University. He has authored five books, including Aircraft Design: A Systems Engineering

Approach and Aircraft Performance Analysis.