Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T02:13:54.561Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Reliability database for unmanned aerial vehicles based on morphological analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2016

P. Gonçalves*
Affiliation:
Portuguese Air Force Academy Research Centre (CIAFA), Academia da Força Aérea Granja do Marquês, Pêro Pinheiro, Portugal
J. Sobral
Affiliation:
Mechanical Engineering Department, ISEL (Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa), Lisboa, Portugal Centre for Marine Technology and Engineering (CENTEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
L. Ferreira
Affiliation:
Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Porto, Portugal

Abstract

The certification process plays an important role in aircraft safety and operation, assuring a high degree of confidence in accomplishing their objectives. Unfortunately, in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), there is not enough information to enable an acceptable decision-making process regarding compliance with certification requirements. To overcome this limitation, a methodology was developed based on morphological analysis principle, taking advantage of the knowledge and behaviour of similar items and affecting them with the necessary corrective factor in accordance to the differences in design, operation and environment. The objective is to establish an initial maintenance program as an important requirement to operate any kind of aircraft. This paper presents the methodology and the obtained results for a UAV under development concerning the establishment of a maintenance program regarding its certification process.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2042/2003, (2003), on the continuing airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, parts and appliances, and on the approval of organisations and personnel involved in these tasks, Official J of the European Union, EASA Online: http://easa.europa.eu/rulemaking/…/Appendix.pdf (15-03-13).Google Scholar
2. Clothier, R. and Rodney, W. Determination and evaluation of UAV safety objectives, Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation, 25th Bristol International UAV Systems Conference, 2012, Bristol, UK, Online: http://oa.upm.es/9504/.Google Scholar
3. Marušić, Ž. 1, Borivoj, G. and Omer, P. Optimising reliability maintenance program for small fleets, Transport, 2007, XXII, (3), pp 174177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Andrews, J. and Moss, T. Reliability and risk assessment, 2nd ed, Professional Engineering Publishing Limited, London/Bury St Edmunds, UK, 2002.Google Scholar
5. Vanston, J. Technology Forecasting: An Aid to Effective Technology Management, Technology Futures Inc., 1998, Austin, Texas, US.Google Scholar
6. Ayres, R. Technological Forecasting and Long-Range Planning, 1969, McGraw-Hill, New York, New York, US.Google Scholar
7. Ritchey, T. Fritz Zwicky, morphologie and policy analysis, 16th EURO Conference on Operational Analysis, 1998, Brussels, Belgium, 56, (491), pp 353–360, 1998.Google Scholar
8. Green, A. and Bourne, A. Reliability Technology, 1972, Wiley-Interscience, Bristol, England.Google Scholar
9. Moss, T. and Andrews, J. Reliability assessment of mechanical systems, Proceedings of the Institution of Mech Engineers, Part E: J Process Mech Engineering, 1996.Google Scholar
10. AECMA S1000D, (1999), Spec 1000 D – International Specification for Technical Publications Utilising a Common Source Data Base, Vol 1, Change 8, The European Association of Aerospace Industries.Google Scholar