Gap Drone long-range flight test and ground station development
The Gap Drone Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has been designed as an advanced cargo-carrying aircraft. In this project, the UAV will undergo experimental testing to validate flight performance and airworthiness. This flight test program will provide means to prove that a cargo drone with a payload capacity of 50kg has the capacity to deliver packages over large distances (greater than 1,000 km) in a safe and predictable manner.
Together with the flight test program, the design and development of a ground control station will be required for a portable mission control operation. This will be done by utilising a standard shipping container which is modified and used for a ground control station specifically for the GAP Drone UAV.
Participants
Project background
The drone delivery landscape currently caters to low payload and short-distance deliveries. This is commonly packages with a weight of less than 2 kg with a delivery radius of 150 km, as demonstrated by delivery companies such as Swoop Aero, Google, ZipLine, RigiTech and BlueFlit. The limitation in package weight, as well as range, has proven problematic in the integration of these drones into mainstream middle-mile delivery logistics.
Many industries have called out for rapid, long-range delivery systems via drone technology. Industries like pharmaceutical, pathology, general mail, and regional delivery services are all set to benefit from the rapid and cheap delivery a drone can provide if that particular drone can fly greater than 500 km with payload capacities greater than 50 kg. This particular drone category is not yet available. However, Gap Drone is developing a system that can provide 1,000 km of range and 50 kg payload capacity to revolutionise how autonomous aerial delivery systems can be immensely beneficial to the middle-mile logistic network and delivery packages to places that no other drone can.
This project is currently underway as iMOVE project 2-029 (Prototype Uncrewed Air System delivery aircraft development) in conjunction with Swinburne University and Australia Post. It will further develop and deploy the Gap Drone revolutionary drone technology and will accelerate the refinement of the product through the development of two crucial elements:
- .A modern, sustainable and ergonomic ground control station; and
- A flight test program to provide means to certify the aircraft with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
With these developments it will ensure that it not only meets, but exceeds industry standards for safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Together, it will unlock the immense potential of drone delivery, transforming the way goods are transported and opening up new opportunities for businesses worldwide.
Project objectives
- Develop a portable and sustainable ground control station for the purpose of long-distance cargo drone which is readily transportable using existing ground-based logistics.
- Develop and execute a flight test program that validates and provides means to certify the GAP delivery drone for beyond line-of-sight missions in Australia.
Please note …
This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!
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It would be great to know constraints on the guidance backbones – Satellite GPS, 4G , 5 G and proneness to terrain interference.
Hi Shanta, thanks for the question. All that can really be said at this early stage of the project is that all will become apparent as the project progresses.