I'm still building a drone for the DARPA Lift Challenge
Hoarder Sam · 34:20 · 2 days ago
The objective is to construct a heavy-lift drone for the DARPA Lift Challenge, which requires a vehicle weighing 55 lbs to carry a 110-lb payload for 5 miles. The final design utilizes a hybrid system, combining a combustion engine for primary thrust with electric motors for flight stabilization.
- Frame reinforcement — Replaced modular aluminum extrusion with a custom CNC-machined frame to increase structural rigidity .
- Control strategy — Abandoned passive air-deflecting vanes for electric motors on booms to manage pitch and roll, enabling the use of traditional flight stabilization algorithms .
- Torque management — Installed a separate tail motor to counteract the rotational force of the gas engine, as suitable gearboxes for this scale do not exist .
- System integration — Connected the 190cc two-stroke engine to a custom relay circuit, allowing for remote starting and ignition cut-off .
- Verification tests — Completed an engine break-in procedure and confirmed the anti-torque system generates approximately 7 lbs of force during ground runs .
- Design forecast — Suggests that a standard quadcopter configuration utilizing advanced, short-cycle-life batteries will likely outperform combustion-based designs in the competition .
Questions