not been done due to the complexity of the flight mechanics which includes changing

geometry, flexible surfaces and unsteady aerodynamics.

 The flexible membrane wings together with the size constraints of MAVs make

analysis and design of these vehicles very challenging. Specifically, the aerodynamics

of a MAV are complicated by low Reynolds number flight, largely deforming struc-

tures, the effects of viscosity and flow separation at high angles of attack [22]. The fact

that the MAVs are challenging to design provides a good platform for research in the

areas of dynamics and control, aeroservoelasticity, structures, microelectronics, small

actuation and data acquisition systems, and other fields.

 The research and development of these vehicles has progressed rapidly due to the

availability of smaller electronics as well as the advances in lighter materials. Several

of these vehicles are shown in Figure 2-1.







 Figure 2-1 h Iclibci of NI.A Fleet at University of Florida


 Advances in miniature digital electronics, communications and computer tech-

nologies have made sensing capabilities on micro air vehicles possible. A typical

application of these miniature electronics is in a reconnaissance mission where a small

MAV would be preferred to a larger vehicle in order to remain stealthy.

 The use of innovative control effectors is an area being explored as an enabling

technology for designing a stability augmentation system. The current generation of

MAVs uses traditional effectors, specifically an elevator and rudder, whose positions

are commanded by the remote pilot. The elevator presents adequate effectiveness

for longitudinal control but the rudder presents some difficulty for lateral-directional

control.