Journal of Aeronautics & Aerospace Engineering
Open Access

Robotic Aircraft

In recent years, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has increased significantly as these vehicles provide cost-effective and safe alternatives to manned flights in several civil and military applications. These robotic aircraft can employ a variety of sensors, as well as multisensor data fusion algorithms, to provide autonomy to the platform in the accomplishment of mission- and safety-critical tasks. UAVs are characterized by higher manoeuvr ability, reduced cost, longer endurance and less risk to human life compared to manned systems. One of the most important concepts is to use a multi-sensor integrated system to cope with the requirements of long/medium range navigation and landing. This can reduce cost, weight/volume and support requirements and, with the appropriate sensors and integration architecture, give increased accuracy and integrity of the overall system. The best candidates for such integration are indeed satellite navigation receivers and inertial sensors. In recent years, computer vision and Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) systems have started to be applied to UAVs. with the appropriate sensors and integration architecture, give increased accuracy and integrity of the overall system. The best candidates for such integration are indeed satellite navigation receivers and inertial sensors. In recent years, computer vision and Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) systems have started to be applied to UAVs. has increased significantly as these vehicles provide cost-effective and safe alternatives to manned flights in several civil and military applications. These robotic aircraft can employ a variety of sensors, as well as multisensor data fusion algorithms, to provide autonomy to the platform in the accomplishment