Systems Engineering Approach on UAS Design

The definitions unmanned aerial system (UAS) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are used interchangeably in many cases, creating confusion. Unmanned aerial system labelling is mainly based on systems engineering practice and classifications. Systems engineering is a method that has been used since the 1940s for the design processes of complex systems (Haberfellner et al. Systems engineering. Springer International Publishing, Cham, p. 5, 2019). The complex system definition here is directly related to the multidisciplinary nature of the work. Systems engineering, which has become widespread in aerospace engineering studies, is also used in unmanned aerial vehicle design processes. The concept design phase, which is one of the generally accepted unmanned aerial vehicle design phases, requires solutions that include this engineering approach. In this chapter, the characteristics of the systems engineering approach, the levels of the systems engineering approach and the place of systems engineering in the unmanned aerial vehicle design processes are evaluated. The points to be considered in the application of the systems engineering approach are specified. The advantages of the systems engineering approach and its effects on the design processes after the concept design are evaluated. A design practice is also performed to reinforce the information that has been provided.