SkyWatch: Design & Development of a Budget, Long Endurance UAV

This project focuses on the design and development of a cost-efficient Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform capable of long endurance and practical payload capacity. The target specifications are a production cost under USD 2,000, a minimum flight time of 50 minutes, and the ability to carry a 1 kg payload.

The design process emphasizes lightweight structural materials, optimized propulsion, and energy-efficient power systems to maximize endurance without compromising reliability. A modular airframe and integration strategy ensure flexibility for various applications, including aerial surveying, environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and light cargo transport. By combining off-the-shelf components with tailored engineering solutions, this project seeks to achieve a balance between affordability, performance, and scalability. The resulting UAV platform aims to provide a versatile, accessible solution for both research and commercial use, meeting the growing demand for reliable, high-performance drones in diverse fields.



Ultimately, this project demonstrates how practical engineering choices and efficient system integration can deliver a UAV that balances cost, endurance, and payload performance, addressing the growing demand for accessible drone platforms in both academic and commercial fields.