AEM 402/404 Senior Design

ORCA Fixed-Frame eVTOL
Reconnaissance UAV

A fixed-wing eVTOL aircraft designed for runway-independent reconnaissance operations with modular payload integration, autonomous mission capability, and a complete system design flow from CDR to build readiness.

My Role

My strongest contributions were in CAD-heavy integration work, system packaging, technical outreach, and serving as the project pilot.

Full-airframe CAD iteration and integration alignment
Geometry decisions for manufacturability and assembly sequencing
Design review artifacts and team presentations
Test-readiness activities and mission-oriented framing

Mission & Performance

Reconnaissance/ISR with modular EO/IR payload
Cruise target: 17 m/s
Endurance target: 60 minutes
VTOL hover: 5-10 minutes with payload
FAA Part 107 compliant envelope

Configuration

Fixed-wing with distributed VTOL rotors
~1.33-1.40 m wingspan, ~1.0 m length
Modular nose payload with fast swap
3D-printed structure with reinforcement
Battery-electric propulsion, integrated avionics

CDR Maturity

The CDR baseline reflected a mature, build-ready direction: aerodynamic refinement, propulsion trade convergence, structures validation, and integrated control-transition logic. The architecture was advanced enough to proceed into fabrication with reduced technical risk.

Project Visuals

ORCA CAD perspective render — Perspective CAD rendering used during integration reviews to validate subsystem packaging and wing/body geometry continuity.

Top perspective dark render — Top-oriented CAD view for evaluating rotor placement symmetry, centerline geometry, and internal volume allocation.

Top orthographic wireframe view — Orthographic layout supporting integration planning across flight-control interfaces and propulsion/power routing.