Drone Collaboration Project Kicks Off

Students from Trident Tech, Clemson University, Brigham Young University, Purdue University, Tuskegee University, Qatar Aeronautical Academy and the University of Patras came together on Thornley Campus Oct. 12-13 to kick off a two-semester capstone project to design, manufacture and fly an unmanned aerial vehicle.

The U.S.-based university students will collaborate to design a UAV, addressing technical areas of aerodynamics, materials, propulsion, manufacturing, structures, sensors and controls. The university project lead, Clemson, will coordinate closely with Trident Tech students, who will evaluate the vehicle’s manufacturability and maintenance and aid in vehicle production. Trident Tech students in advanced CNC machining will participate in the design review, manufacturing and assembly in the S.C. Aeronautical Training Center advanced manufacturing lab.

The project is being sponsored by Barzan Aeronautical, providing $28,000 for the Barzan Aerospace Capstone Design Program and another $2,500 for documentation of the project by TTC's Film and Media department, who will script, film and edit.

During the kickoff event, students participated in team exercises, heard from guest speakers, spent time on project planning, and explored the advanced manufacturing capabilities of the SCATC. This fall, students will focus on the design phase of the project. In the spring, the students will begin manufacturing and testing, with the goal of a fly off in April 2022. Qatar Aeronautical Academy in Doha and the University of Patras in Patras, Greece, attended the kickoff event virtually and will participate in the project in an observatory manner.

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