Telangana based T-Works builds a hybrid UAV that covers 45km in 33 mins

Source : Telangana Today

Hyderabad: T-Works, an initiative of the Telangana government that nurtures a culture of makers and innovators, has successfully designed, developed, and tested its indigenous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It covered 45km in 33 minutes.

Following the development, T-Works is now among the few organisations in India that can design, fabricate, integrate, and operate long range VTOL hybrid drones.

The airframe and its components were designed and fabricated by T-Works using software design tools, 3D printing, laser cutting, and computer numerical control router (for milling, drilling and cutting materials) available at its Begumpet premises, T-Works CEO Sujai Karampuri said in a release here on Thursday. The Airborne Medical Rapid Transport (AMRT25), as the UAV is called, has a 2.5m wingspan and can launch and land vertically like a drone. It can also fly forward like a winged aircraft, he said.

Its VTOL motors are powered by a 10,000mAh battery while the forward flight is powered by a 30cc petrol engine. A 5m x 5m flat clearing is sufficient to safely launch and land the AMRT25. The design is more suited to carry heavier payloads over larger distances as the wings produce additional buoyant force. Also, a winged aircraft consumes up to 75 per cent less power than a multi-rotor. 

The next version of the UAV will have a range of 100km with a payload capacity of 3.5kg. 

Apart from medical supplies delivery, the AMRT25 UAV can be used for surveying, inspection, defence applications, surveillance, and as a testbed for experimental payloads. The UAV completed more than 30 test flights over a week passing parameters such as maximum range, endurance, waypoint navigation, and return-to-launch capabilities. 

The tools used for designing and constructing the UAV are now available for the community to use. Quotations, design support and deliver-to-home options are available on proto.tworks.in. Over 150 parts have been fabricated and delivered through the platform already. 

“Commonly available drones called multi-rotors are suited for food delivery, photography, and videography. Most have range of 20-25km after which the battery must be recharged or replaced. To cover longer distances, say over 100km, with speed, we must break this range barrier. Here, fixed-wing VTOL UAVs are an efficient option,” Sujai Karampuri said, adding that the new DGCA drone regulations have also increased interest in the drone segment.