Simulation-Based Development of a Forward-Motion Mid-Air Deployment System for Fixed-Wing UAVs from Quadrotor Platforms
Paul Olanifimihan OKE, Yingsong GU
Abstract. This work presents a detailed simulation framework for a novel aerial deployment system that enables mid-air release of a fixed-wing UAV from a quadrotor platform. Traditional launch systems for fixed-wing UAVs often rely on bulky infrastructure or manual intervention. This study proposes and simulates a more flexible and autonomous alternative tailored for constrained, tactical, or remote environments where conventional methods are impractical. The focus of this contribution is on modeling, simulating, and analyzing the system dynamics associated with forward-motion deployment, which adds complexity to the release dynamics and improves transition to autonomous flight post-deployment.
Keywords
Fixed-Wing UAV, Quadrotor, Forward-Motion Release, Stability
Published online 7/20/2026, 5 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Paul Olanifimihan OKE, Yingsong GU, Simulation-Based Development of a Forward-Motion Mid-Air Deployment System for Fixed-Wing UAVs from Quadrotor Platforms, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 777-781, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-137
The article was published as article 137 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
References
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