Cooperating UAVs using thermal lift to extend endurance

One method of improving flight endurance for UAVs is to take advantage of thermal lift occurring in convective boundary layers of the atmosphere. This paper investigates the possible benefits of using a cooperating team of small UAVs to increase the probability of finding thermal lift. An algorithm that employs a team of two autonomous gliders was developed, simulated and initially flight tested. Probability studies suggest that a cooperative approach increases the chance of finding lift to a significant extent. Due to the unpredictable nature of thermals, simulation results need to be complemented with further flight testing to determine the effectiveness of this approach.