REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS FOR VTOL FIXED-WING UAVS IN PHOTOGRAMMETRIC APPLICATIONS

Сергій Борисович Кочук, Рафаель Трухільйо Торрес, Артем Олексійович Нікітін

Abstract


This article investigates the requirements, operational considerations, and configurations of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for photogrammetric applications. As one of the most common civil uses of UAVs, photogrammetry requires platforms offering flexibility, endurance, and cost efficiency. The research identifies end-user demands and defines system-level requirements that shape UAV design, production, and deployment. It stresses that establishing these requirements early is crucial to avoid expensive modifications later in the project lifecycle.

A systems engineering approach analyzes UAV deployment, incorporating technical, economic, operational, social, and regulatory factors. The study explores the photogrammetry value chain, current applications, mission profiles, and operational risks in commercial settings. Special attention is paid to the legal and regulatory framework, which poses significant constraints for developers and operators integrating advanced UAVs into civil aviation systems.

The paper reviews UAV configurations suitable for photogrammetry, emphasizing VTOL designs that blend rotary-wing hovering with fixed-wing efficiency. It compares tilt-rotor, tail-sitter, and hybrid approaches, evaluating their advantages and limitations in endurance, payload capacity, maneuverability, and cost.

Findings indicate that tilt-rotor configurations provide excellent maneuverability and versatility but are often constrained by size. Tail-sitters offer weight and portability advantages yet face challenges in maintaining hover stability while capturing ground imagery. Cost is a key factor, with most commercial photogrammetry using UAVs priced USD 1,500–2,000 — a threshold exceeded by many VTOL fixed-wing models.


Keywords


unmanned aerial vehicles; vertical take-off and landing (VTOL); photogrammetry; drone; unmanned aerial systems

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32620/oikit.2025.105.06

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