About the project
This project will develop novel methods to detect ice build-up in Uncrewed Air Vehicles and use this information to automate the vehicle response.
Uncrewed Air Vehicles (UAVs) have to be able to operate reliably in extreme cold where lifting surfaces risk icing up due to the freezing and accumulation of water droplets. Changes to the wing profile can cause radical changes in aerodynamic performance and rapid catastrophic failure. This is particularly pertinent to UAVs deployed in the defence sector which are required to operate in hostile environmental conditions and at a wider range of altitudes. A key challenge to mitigating the risk posed by icing is to reliably detect the presence of ice from which an automated response can be determined, such as changing course or altitude. Existing aviation grade ice detection sensors are too costly, heavy and power hungry for medium sized UAV applications. They are also typically unable to identify the type or extent of icing encountered, thereby offering only a binary detection method.
The first part of this project aims to experimentally investigate the applicability of novel low-cost sensor technologies as a means of detecting and qualifying the build-up of ice on an aircraft. These include, but are not limited to optical, ultrasonic and acoustic means.
The second part of the project will focus on the automatic actions once icing is detected. A digital twin will be constructed of the aircraft and validated using flight testing data. The model, which is expected to be updated using live flight data will be used to predict the aircraft’s degraded flight performance and subsequently direct the autopilot to take automatic actions.
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS) is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break or are transitioning into a new role. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance.
