New Torsion Box Fuselage for the Naval Drone May June 2019

 

The previous fuselage truss design for the drone has served us well during the initial development but over time it was starting to get out of alignment and also wasn't as rigid as it should have been. The old fuselage is shown below. So it was decided to build a new torsion box fuselage to replace it.

 

The drone with the new torsion box and wing struts 19 June 2019.

 

 

 

Previous truss design

 

The new torsion box fuselage is slightly higher and much stiffer. It comprises a rectangular u-section edge sandwiched between two thin sheets of aluminum which are riveted in place.

 

Riveting the two panels onto the u-channel sections.

 

 

Riveting the two panels onto the u-channel sections.

 

Jono with the finished box.

 

The engine bolts directly onto the torsion box.

 

The wings and landing gear bolt directly onto the torsion box top and bottom.

 

The new wing struts installed. These keep the wings aligned in the correct position and prevent movement in flight.

 

 

 

 

The new struts fold away nicely.