Disaster Communication UAV Concept

This paper presents a novel aircraft concept designed for disaster communication, capable of carrying small payloads for extended periods. The proposed aircraft, designed to overcome the limitations of existing platforms like weather balloons, aims to provide cost-effective and robust communication coverage over disaster areas. Key features include a piston-engine design that supports a 10lb, 100W payload for 5.6 days, with a 100km coverage radius. The aircraft's modularity enables easy transport and assembly, facilitating rapid deployment within 200 nmi of disaster locations. Operational procedures, including launch and recovery, are adapted from UAV control protocols, ensuring efficient deployment.