Peter earned his PhD at Cranfield University in Aerospace Engineering and is now a Research Assistant at Bristol, working with Tom Richardson on Autonomous Air to Air Refuelling (AAAR).
During ASTRAEA 1, Peter was at Cranfield involved with the FLAVIIR project, working on demonstration technologies for low-cost, low-maintenance UAVs as part of his dissertation.
“FLAVIIR was a prime project for BAE and they were also active in ASTRAEA 1,” he recalled, “so I knew about the programme through BAE and university colleagues. I thought it was very ambitious and an excellent example of the benefits of collaboration – it would be exciting to have a chance to take part.”
Peter’s move to Bristol in 2011 provided that opportunity. He’s now part of Tom Richardson’s ASTRAEA 2 team working on the University’s Relative Motion Robotics Rig. In AAAR configuration, the rig consists of two robots – they replicate the fuel probe and the fuel drogue and are controlled by software that simulates the refueling environment.
“The simulation part and flight control laws are my responsibility,” Peter explained. “I’m working with Cobham and other Bristol researchers to develop simulation models of the tanker’s drogue, the receiving aircraft’s probe and all the dynamics of their interaction during refueling.”
This virtual refueling environment will be used in conjunction with the two robots to model autonomous refueling procedures and develop AAAR architecture, hardware and control system design. Preliminary testing is already underway and the Bristol team expects to commence actual refueling trials later this year.
As to the future of UAV operations after ASTRAEA 2, Peter predicts slow but steady progress toward open skies in the UK with the smaller UAVs debuting first.
“I’d expect to see small UAVs overhead in the next five to ten years,” he said, “flying support missions for municipal authorities like the police, fire service and coast guard.”
The first major commercial services will be in aerial photography and film, he believes, then expand into mapping, crop survey and even traffic monitoring.
“I think clearance for the larger UAVs will take longer,” Peter concluded, “it may be even 20 years before everyone is convinced they can operate safely. But in the meantime, much of the new technology we’re developing now will likely be used in manned aircraft to assist human pilots and this will help demonstrate its robustness and reliability.”
About Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol
One of the largest departments within the Faculty of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering has been established for over 50 years and is regarded as a leading provider of aerospace research and teaching in the UK. Its strong industrial links with some of the UK’s largest aerospace corporations benefit both students and researchers alike.