AE25402 UAV System Design – Semester IV – Aero – R-2025

Subject Code & Name: AE25402 – UAV System Design

Regulation: R-2025

Semester: IV (Fourth Semester)

Branch: B.E. Aeronautical Engineering (Aero)

Credits / L-T-P: 3 Credits | L-T-P: 3-0-0

Course Objectives

• To provide fundamental knowledge of UAV systems, including aerodynamics, design, and performance analysis.
• The course also aims to develop skills in UAV system integration, computational analysis, and real-world applications while introducing regulatory and emerging technologies in UAVs.

Full Unit-wise Syllabus

Unit I – Introduction To UAV Systems

Motivation and evolution of UAVs, Classification: Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Flapping Wing, UAV Characteristics and Basic Components, UAV Specifications and Payload Integration, Applications in defense, agriculture, surveying, and inspection, Mission requirements and system-level design considerations.

Activities: Overview of multirotor and fixed-wing UAV configurations.

Unit II – Aerodynamics and Performance of UAVs

Fundamentals of Aerodynamics: Lift, Drag, Bernoulli’s principle, Angle of Attack, Stability and Control: Longitudinal, Lateral, and Directional Stability, Stall, Wake Turbulence, and Turning Flight, Aerodynamic Modeling using CFD: Governing Equations, Analytical estimation of aerodynamic parameters and performance metrics.

Unit III – UAV System Design and Integration

UAV Design Algorithm and Workflow, Mission Analysis and Feasible Design Parameters, Configuration Layout: Airfoil Selection, Planform Geometry, Tail and Control Surface Sizing, Weight and CG Estimation - Stability Margin and Neutral Point, Subsystem Selection: Propulsion, Avionics, and Control Systems, Integration and Calibration of Electronic Systems, Ground Control Station (GCS) and Autonomous Flight Simulation.

Activities: Design and assembly of a small quadcopter or fixed-wing UAV

Unit IV – UAV Applications and Case Studies

Industrial and Engineering Applications of UAVs, Powerline and Telecom Structure Inspection, Bridge and Heritage Structure Survey, Agricultural and Marine Data Collection (Seaweed, Water Quality).

Activities: Amphibious UAV for Water Quality Monitoring (Design, CFD/FEA, Sensor Integration, IoT Data Collection); Swarm UAVs for 3D Mapping using relevant software tools (Point Cloud, Path Planning, Obstacle Avoidance); Flapping Wing Vehicles (FWV) - Design, Mechanism, and Flocking Control

Course Outcomes (COs)

• CO1: Describe the fundamentals of UAV systems, classifications, aerodynamics, components, and applications.
• CO2: Apply aerodynamic principles, computational tools, and system integration techniques for UAV performance and mission analysis.
• CO3: Analyze UAV configurations, stability characteristics, and design parameters using analytical and computational approaches.
• CO4: Evaluate UAV system performance, design choices, and application feasibility considering safety, regulatory, and environmental aspects.

Assessment Pattern (Quick Note)

• Weightage: Continuous Assessment 40% | End Semester Examinations 60%
• Internal methodology: Quiz (5%), Assignments (25%), Review of GATE/ESE Questions (20%), Internal Examinations (50%)

Source: Official Anna University – B.E. Aeronautical Engineering R-2025 Syllabus
Last Updated: October 2026