THE DESIGN OF AN AUTONOMOUS VTOL FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT FOR DELIVERING MEDICAL SUPPLIES (#2777)

Authors

Kurkela, Ryan

Haniff, Zaheer

Wahid, Ajward

Abstract

This project focuses on the design and development of an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone for delivering medical supplies to remote and hard-to-reach regions with limited access to healthcare infrastructure. The system utilizes a hybrid fixed-wing quadcopter configuration with tilting rotors, allowing for efficient VTOL operations combined with long-range, energy-efficient fixed-wing flights. After vertical takeoff, the drone transitions to forward flight by rotating its propellers from a vertical to horizontal orientation, then returns to VTOL mode for precision landing at the designated drop zone. The design builds upon proven industry concepts while introducing a tandem tilting-motor arrangement that improves aerodynamic efficiency by reducing propeller wake interference. Advanced safety features, including obstacle avoidance, intelligent flight planning, and emergency response behaviors, are integrated to ensure reliable operation in dynamic real-world environments. Compared to existing delivery platforms, the system eliminates the need for launch infrastructure while maintaining high payload efficiency and operational flexibility.