From Concept to Flight: Developing a Hybrid Solar-Powered UAV Prototype for Malaysian Skies

This paper discusses the development of a hybrid solar-powered fixed-wing small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL MIAT). This research's main objective is to reduce the UAV's dependency on nonrenewable energy sources and extend its endurance through the use of renewable energy sources. The development process includes the UAV's design, fabrication and initial flight testing. This paper also describes the design considerations, technical specifications and performance analysis of the solar-powered hybrid UAV. The findings indicate that the hybrid solar-powered UAV can achieve extended flying endurance, and the concept can be shared with other researchers for further optimization in a variety of domains. In addition, this paper presents the benefits of using fast prototyping method for the development of reliable prototypes in less time compared to conventional methods. The study highlights the advantages of utilizing computer-aided design software and 3D printing technology, which enable researcher, designers and engineers to quickly iterate and refine their designs, reduce prototyping costs, and improve the quality and reliability of the final product.