INITIAL AIRCAFT SIZING

Ref: Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Comprehensive Approach

3. Initial Unmanned AC sizing:

3.2 Simple Weight Relationship:

Empty Weight Mass Fraction

Maximum Payload Mass Fraction

,
, =

To begin the development of the simple weight sizing methods, all of the major weights are identified.

WTO is simply the summation of all:

Now Eq. (3.2) can be rewritten in terms of weights that are fixed weights and proportional to WTO:
 WStruct is the structures weight (Wing, fuselage, nacelles)

(structural weight is
proportional to WTO)

WSubs is the subsystems weights, (Landing gear or alternative launch and recovery provisions,
electrical power system, environmental control system, flight control system, pneumatic and
hydraulic system, and potentially the landing gear ) - The energy mass fraction is derived from
performance models that we will discuss later in this chapter.

WProp is the propulsion system weight (Power generator, propulsor)

WAvion is the avionics weight,

WOther is other weights not captured by other categories,

WPL is the payload weight (Payload weight capacity is often defined directly in a customer
requirement)

WEnergy is the weight of the stored energy (Fuel, battery)

Therere 7 groups of weight

Now the weights groups are allocated to one of two categories: weights that scale linearly with WTO
and fixed weights that do not vary.

Obviously, important factors such as UA geometry and operating environment appear to be neglected.
Further elaboration will demonstrate that many factors are appropriately captured or have secondary
impacts.

Power is the major sizing parameter for propulsion systems using propellers, such as reciprocating
engines, electric motor-driven propellers, and turboprops.
The power referenced for sizing is generally the maximum sea-level static uninstalled shaft power. The
referenced power is generally the maximum motor shaft power.

The propulsion mass fraction (The relationship for a chemical battery-driven aircraft is similar, but the

powerplant is replaced by the motor and motor controller):

Several constraints must be satisfied, including takeoff distance, climb gradients, service ceiling, dash
speed, stall speed, sustained turning flight, and landing distance to select Power-to-weight ratio. This
analysis was described in more detail by Lan and Roskam [1], Raymer [2], and Mattingly [3].

A more generalized and robust method for determining flight performance constraints that help size
propulsion will be presented in Chapter 8.

a similarity method is explored in which the aircraft power-to-weight ratio or thrust-to-weight ratio is
selected via comparison with similar aircraft. Determining a similar aircraft involves many
considerations. Selections should have similar size, physical characteristics, technologies, cost approach,
operating environments, propulsion type, launch and recovery methods, and mission sets.

relationships incorporate many factors such as operating environment, flight performance, duty
cycles, propulsion system characteristics, system complexity, electrical load requirements, and other
key drivers will be evaluated further in Chapter 10.

It can also be shown that the takeoff gross weight is proportional to the summation of the fixed weights.
Therefore, doubling the fixed weights doubles the takeoff gross weight.

The weight escalation factor (WEF) is the rate of WTO growth with respect to additional fixed weight.
The WEF for this derivation is:

A WEF value of 5 means that every pound of fixed weight added will result in 5 lb of WTO

Requirements satisfaction and system affordability become increasingly challenging as the WEF grows.
This parameter should be less than 810 for a reasonable chance of program success.
Although the simple weight method is robust across UA classes and provides great insight into design
relationships, it is inappropriate for engineering analysis as the design process progresses. More
appropriate mass properties processes are described in Chapter 6. There it will be shown that an
iterative weights convergence is required for nonlinear relationships