A representative sample of optimAero programs spanning VTOL to fixed-wing aircraft, half pound to 1 million pound aircraft, part-time submersibles, off-road vehicles, autonomy, flight testing, and advanced simulation.
We created on an open-source Simulink physics simulator that runs PX4 and Ardupilot software as SIL. Try it out!
Since 2018, optimAero engineers have provided, and still provide, support for multiple full-scale air taxi programs for some of the largest players in this space. Most of our work has focused on modeling, simulation, test piloting, and requirements verification.
We delivered engineering support for a client for 5 years for fielded A-10Cs, focusing on systems engineering. Work included development of interface software for new systems and line-replaceable units (LRUs), algorithm design, fight dynamics modeling and simulation, requirements definition and verification, FRACAS, communications system upgrades, engine modeling, and glass cockpit modernization.
We provided systems engineering support, software development for interfacing new systems, control system development, modeling and simulation, requirements verification and testing, and ground support software. On this project, we had the privelege of working on the heaviest airplane to every fly in human history.
We restored a legacy internal combustion engine (ICE) offroad buggy and converted it to a 55 kW electric motor–driven platform, including in-house CNC plasma cutting fabrication and welding, electronic component sizing/selection, and testing.
optimAero provided custom flight control software support for investigating advanced control methods using a subscale aircraft, as well as flight test support for the full-scale vehicle.
For several clients, we designed and executed multiple rotor performance test campaigns, for rotors between 5" and 120" in diameter. Our work focused on automated adjustable thrust stands with rotor-rotor wakes, with the ability to control rotor-rotor separation and wake-wake incidence angles.
We clean-sheet designed and built a part-time submersible proptotype UAV with depth control and autonomous flight and perching functions. This vehicle was either the first or one of the first of its kind.
We helped a client who helped build JPL's Ingenuity Mars helicopter to automate, tune, and fly an Earth-atmosphere version. Ingenuity's Earth-bound brother is affectionately named 'Terry.'
In partnership with UC-Irvine, we designed, built, and executed a set of performance and acoustics experiements to study the effects of interacting rotor wakes.
While at GA Tech, we were invloved with rapid slung load research utilizing custom software on a 200 lb Yamaha RMAX helicopter.
We designed, built, and flight tested a 300 lb hexarotor, which could carry 110 lbs of payload, handle flight with 5 or 4 operable rotors, utilize Direct Force Control to translate without rotating and rotate without translating. To our knowlege, this is the largest and heaviest DFC-capable UAV in existence.
We designed, built, and flight tested a 1 lb UAV capable of navigating an indoor environment in the absence of GPS in a fully self-contained form factor.
We designed, built, and flight tested UAV with a freely rotating wing, which allows for the benefits of a tilt wing without the weight and complexity of tilting mechanisms.
We designed, built, and flight tested a team of UAS that were tasked with finding and picking up metal discs on a competition in Abu Dhabi.
We designed, built, and flight tested a 14 rotor UAV capable of top-loading, in research for moving small packages around construction sites.
Direct Force Control (DFC) is an unconventional control scheme which allows UAVs to 1) exhibit immense yaw control, which allows for controlled flight with rotors out or degraded, 2) change attitude without translating, and 3) tranlate without changing attitude, unlike conventional UAVs. We successfully implemented the control scheme and demonstrated this on flights of vehicles ranging from 2 to 300 lbs.
We were tasked with designing and demoing a swarm of UAS that could be used to suppliment vans carrying library materials between distribution centers in an urban area.
The founders of optimAero have direct experience in military aircraft propulsion modeling, having supported engine modeling efforts for the C-130 platform. Their work included developing high-fidelity simulation models of the engines and conducting ground testing to validate and refine those models through direct comparison with measured engine performance data. This hands-on integration of modeling and test ensures simulations that accurately reflect real-world behavior.