Achievements

2024 AUVSI SUAS Placement: 22nd Place out of 53 Teams

Gray Goose was the seventh autonomous aerial system designed and fabricated by AAV for the 2024 SUAS competition. This aircraft depict AAV’s first attempt at a heavy lift quadcopter platform featuring high endurance through large battery capacity. This platform utilized all in one propulsion systems to simplify the system as well as a Cube Herelink system for greatly increased telemetry range and quality. Utilizing a unique braking method for payload delivery, the drone is extremely accurate and efficient. This drone was designed as a strong platform that could be developed more for computer vision object detection for the future.

Technical Paper
2025 Flight Readiness Review Video

2022 AUVSI SUAS Placement: 6th Place out of 71 Teams

Jaeger was the sixth autonomous aerial system designed and fabricated by AAV for the 2022 SUAS competition. This aircraft depict AAV’s first attempt at a compact quadcopter platform featuring resiliency through the means of part minimization. Like with past years, this platform feature fully autonomous flight, an onboard imaging system, and precise air delivery of a UGV. Simulations and component analyses were performed throughout the year to safely test all individual aspects before their implementation onto the aircraft. AAV preformed well in the 2022 SUAS Competition with Jaeger, placing amongst the top 10% of all teams that competed internationally.

Technical Paper
Flight Readiness Review Video

2021 AUVSI SUAS Placement: Competition Cancelled

Autonomous Aerial Vehicles at Virginia Tech’s (AAV) primary objective was to design and develop a reliable unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of completing Autonomous Flight, Air Drop, and Obstacle Avoidance with high degrees of accuracy and reliability. Object Detection, Classification, Localization (ODCL) was classified as a secondary objective.  AAV is proud to present a custom X8 aircraft featuring fully Autonomous Flight, Obstacle Avoidance, an onboard imaging system for ODCL, and precise Air Drop of Ranger (AAV’s UGV). Throughout development, the team emphasized the importance of testing, safety, and reliability to ensure that all devices on the aircraft were ready for flight. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused for the cancellation of the season and competition.

Technical Paper

2020 AUVSI SUAS Placement: Competition Cancelled

Coronacopter was the fourth autonomous aerial system designed and fabricated by the team for the 2020 AUVSI SUAS competition. It was a custom quadcopter featuring fully autonomous flight, an onboard imaging system, and precise air delivery of an autonomous UGV. Weighing in at 10.25 kg, Coronacopter spanned 950mm and had a maximum real-world flight range exceeding 20 km. This design marked an important milestone for the team, proving that multirotors can compete with fixed wings in long range delivery and mapping. Simulations and component analyses were performed throughout the year to safely test all individual aspects before their implementation onto the aircraft. Throughout development, the team emphasized the importance of testing, safety, and reliability to ensure that all devices on the aircraft were ready for flight. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused for the premature cancellation of the season and competition - thus dubbing the aircraft as the Coronacopter.

2019 AUVSI SUAS Placement: 21st Overall
26th Mission Demonstration | 13th Flight Readiness Review | 11th Technical Design Paper ​​

Valkyrie was the second autonomous aerial system designed, built, and programmed by the team for the 2019 AUVSI SUAS competition. It was a custom quadcopter featuring an onboard UGV delivery system, high accuracy waypoint navigation, precise air delivery, and fully autonomous flight. Weighing in at 6.75 kg, Valkyrie spanned 950mm and had a max flight range of 8.0 km. Simulations and component analyses were performed to safely test all individual aspects before their implementation on Valkyrie. Throughout development, the team emphasized the importance of testing, safety, and reliability to ensure that all devices on Valkyrie were ready for flight.

Technical Paper

Flight Readiness Review

2018 AUVSI SUAS Placement: 3rd Overall

3rd Mission Demonstration | 3rd Flight Readiness Review | 7th Technical Design Paper ​​

Trochilidae was the first autonomous aerial system designed, built, and programmed by the team for the 2018 AUVSI SUAS competition. It was a custom octocopter featuring an onboard imaging system, high accuracy waypoint navigation, precise air delivery, and fully autonomous flight. Weighing in at 10.83 kg, Trochilidae spanned 1100mm and had a max flight range of 11.5 km. Simulations and component analyses were performed to safely test all individual aspects before their implementation on Trochilidae. Throughout development, the team emphasized the importance of testing, safety, and reliability to ensure that all devices on Trochilidae were ready for flight.

Technical Paper
Flight Readiness Review