This innovative UAV platform introduces a modular wing system that allows rapid field-switching between two optimized flight configurations: endurance and agility. The core fuselage and internal components remain fixed, while wings can be swapped within minutes using a secure, tool-free mechanism. This reconfigurable design offers unprecedented mission flexibility, enabling the same UAV to transition seamlessly between long-duration and high-maneuverability roles, eliminating the need for multiple airframes.

Conventional UAVs are typically designed around a single flight regime—either optimized for energy-efficient cruise or responsive flight dynamics. As a result, operators are often forced to maintain and deploy multiple UAVs to address varying mission profiles. This not only raises costs but also introduces challenges in transportation, maintenance, and mission planning. Our proposed system directly solves this issue, allowing a single UAV to fulfil diverse operational needs with minimal logistical burden and near-zero downtime between configurations.

Key Objectives

• Enhance Mission Flexibility: Support both endurance and manoeuvrability profiles using swappable wings.
• Reduce Downtime: Enable rapid reconfiguration (under 5 minutes) with a tool-free locking system.
• Lower Costs: Replace the need for multiple specialized UAVs with one adaptable platform.
• Optimize Flight Performance: Adjust aerodynamic properties to match mission-specific demands.
• Enable Multi-Domain Use: Make the UAV suitable for surveillance, inspection, R&D, and rapid deployment scenarios.

Design Overview

The central fuselage features an aerodynamically streamlined body pre-integrated with avionics, propulsion, and payload control systems. It includes standardized structural hardpoints to accept both wing configurations securely.

The agility wing has a low aspect ratio and large control surfaces, supporting tight turns and rapid roll responses.

The endurance wing features high aspect ratio geometry, optimized for efficient, sustained flight with minimal power consumption.

The attachment system includes a robust, quick-lock interface that ensures aerodynamic integrity and structural reliability without requiring tools.

Propulsion and Power

An efficient electric motor system is powered by modular battery units. Power delivery is tuned for both high-intensity manoeuvres and low-draw cruise flight, ensuring mission-appropriate energy use.

Technical Advantages

• True Versatility: A single airframe performs across diverse mission types—estimated to reduce UAV fleet size requirements by 50–60%.
• Rapid Configuration: Wing changes are 80% faster than traditional modular UAVs.
• Aerodynamic Tuning: Improves endurance by up to 50% and roll rate by up to 30% depending on the wing configuration.
• Payload Optimization: Efficient structural design enables 20–30% more payload capacity without performance sacrifice.

Use Case Scenarios

• Tactical Surveillance: Use the endurance mode for extended missions; switch to agility mode for rapid action in complex environments.
• Research and Development: Serves as a flexible testbed for control systems, aerodynamic studies, and AI flight logic.
• Disaster Response and Inspection: Ideal for infrastructure monitoring, post-disaster assessment, and areas requiring role-switching mid-mission.

Novelty and Sustainability

This UAV uniquely integrates swappable wings, a modular fuselage, and a rapid-attach mechanism—solving the challenge of in-field reconfiguration without compromising performance. It directly supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15, encouraging innovation, sustainability, and efficient resource use.