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Speed
Endurance
Agility

Crescendo is a reusable, loitering target drone powered by a turbojet engine capable of multiple launch methods.

 

Crescendo enables the training of US defense personnel in the identification, tracking, and elimination of small, low-cost, fast moving and low observable UAS threats.

Quick Deployment

Quick Deployment

Flight ready within 2 min - bungee or RATO

High Performance Flight

Capable of pulling 10-g maneuvers with a top speed over 200 knots (230 mph)

Optimal Range and Endurance

Range: 60+ nmi (70+ mi)
Endurance: 100+ min

Aerodynamics

    • Proprietary program developed for sizing wings

      • 60+ airfoils benchmarked

      • 120,000+ wing geometries analyzed

      • Data used to select final wing design

  • Avionics tray

    • Designed in-house

    • Custom laser cut

    Payload​

    • 3 lb steel cylinder

    • Position variable for adjusting CG

    Designed for two avionic configurations​

    • Competition configuration

      • Contains necessary avionics for local RC piloting​

    • Production configuration​

      • Contains avionics for long-range communication and autopilot​

    • Internal servo control arms​

Structures

    • Plywood bulkheads serve as the mounting point for the vertical tail and house an aluminum connector for engine integration

    • Shear webs are bonded in tails to maintain their shapes

    • Wing held in place by magnetic connector

    • Two plywood ribs transfer load from main shear web to fuselage through spar tube

    • Sitka spruce main shear web and multi-layered carbon tow reduce deflection

    • Balsa shear webs maintain shape of control surfaces

Skin Construction

  • 3-oz carbon fiber

    3-oz fiberglass

    1/16-in honeycomb

    3-oz fiberglass

    Aramid honeycomb core drastically reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity.

     

    Novel use of honeycomb for the Speedfest mission

  • 3-oz carbon fiber

    1/16-in balsa

    3-oz fiberglass

  • 3-oz fiberglass

    9-oz fiberglass

    3-oz fiberglass

    Due to the size and strength of the fuel tank, it is used as a structural component of the fuselage

Propulsion

  • Xicoy X95 Light

    • Max thrust: 21.4 lb

    • Fuel consumption:

      • 1.5 oz/min @ idle​

      • 11.2 oz/min @ max thrust

    • 45-second assembly

      • Fit completely within Pelican BX-255 case​​

    • Constructed using 1-in and 1/2-in PVC

      • Inexpensive​ and lightweight​

    • Guides aircraft during bungee launch

      • Bungee force: 62 lb​

  • Capable of Rocket-Assisted Take-Off (RATO)

    • no modification to the launch ramp

    • only requires RATO sled

    RATO system is rated for an AeroTech G80-13T rocket motor or similar:

    • Diameter: 1.125 in

    • Weight: 0.29 lb

    • Average thrust: 17.44 lb

    • Max thrust: 24.4 lb

    • Burn time: 1.7 s

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