Module 2 - Weeding Out a Solution (ASCI 530)

Yamaha RMax helicopter Fertilizing Crop

(Curry, 2013)

          The Agro-Hawk company is currently developing a UAS platform for precision crop-dusting. However, the design of the UAS is currently halted due to weight issues. Unfortunately, the Payload delivery team and the Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) team each have their particular systems beyond the original weight budget they were allowed. This is due to the team’s efforts to save costs by utilizing off-the-shelf hardware/software to complete their portions of the UAS project. As the lead Systems Engineer, it is crucial at times to ensure a design project not only stays on task but achieves the most if not all of the desired results. Despite this, however, the Systems Engineer must consider added cost and the potential for further delays when attempting to rectify the weight issue. With that said in order to carry the sufficient amount of fertilizer the weight of the two subsystems must be reduced. In order to help both teams reach their particular weight goals, each team will be visited and assisted individually. Due to the customer’s high interest in the payload delivery systems, this is the area that will be assisted first.
          In the current economic state of the country, being able to correctly spray fertilizer over a specified area is of high importance to customers. Especially in hard to reach and hazardous farming areas such as Napa valley, it is imperative that no fertilizer is wasted. Therefore, the payload delivery team must ensure the fertilizer is adequately dispersed across the required area. However, in the interest of saving weight perhaps the payload delivery team can look at the way the fertilizer is dispensed. For the most part, most crops are sprayed using a spray applicator system. These systems are capable of spraying territory at different speeds, which in turn, defines the rate and size of an area the platform can spray. Therefore, if the Payload team were to look at a lower speed spray applicator system, perhaps weight can be saved from having a less powerful motor. In fact, the University of California at Davis is currently experimenting with a crop dusting platform which sprays at 15 mph (Szondy, 2013). This change in motor size or motor capability should be enough to reduce the weight of the payload delivery system back down to acceptable weight. While the weight savings for the Payload team may be significant, it is the GCS team that may have the potential to save the most weight.
          Especially in an unmanned aerial platform, it is imperative that the vehicle is able to fly correctly. However, when the systems required to fly the aircraft correctly prevent the aircraft from flying correctly there is a problem. With regards to controlling the aircraft, there are many options available to the team. One consideration is the removal of the onboard computers and relying on a pilot within line-of-sight of the aircraft. Unfortunately, this process may raise costs due to the acquisition of a qualified individual to operate the vehicle. A better feasible solution is to alter the guidance and navigation method of the aircraft. Typically, agriculture machines are guided and navigated by GPS receivers. These machines often include computers which can correct for the lack of a third satellite lock (you need three GPS satellites for accurate navigation). However, if navigation by GPS is replaced by perimeter fences for electronic positioning, this will not only increase the accuracy of the guidance and navigation but significantly reduce the required equipment (Austin, 2010, p. 274).
          In summary, it will be crucial to have both teams achieve the common goal of reducing the weight of their subsystems. The UAS that Agro-Hawk is developing will ensure farmland is adequately fertilized while keeping pilots away from terrain difficult to maneuver in as well as hazardous locations. The implementation of this UAS has the potential to greatly alter the future of crop dusting and agriculture as a whole.

References

Austin, R. (2010). Civilian, Paramilitary and Commercial Roles. In R. Austin, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: UAVS Design, Development and Deployment (pp. 273-274). Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


Curry, R. (2013, June 10). Testing Unmanned Helicopters for Pesticide Spraying in California. Retrieved from UAS Vision: http://www.uasvision.com/2013/06/10/testing-unmanned-helicopters-for-pesticide-spraying-in-california/

Szondy, D. (2013, June 23). UC Davis investigates using helicopter drones for crop dusting. Retrieved from Gizmag.com: http://www.gizmag.com/uav-crop-dusting/27974/