Overview

The aim of this module is to provide the fundamentals of UAV design and an assessment of the UAV propulsion requirements, available alternatives, and challenges in reducing and eliminating negative external and environmental effects such as greenhouse emissions and noise pollution.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Apply fundamental UAV design principles to evaluate propulsion system solutions based on mission-specific requirements
  2. Critically assess different UAV propulsion technologies, focusing on their performance, environmental impact, and operational suitability
  3. Calculate and optimize power requirements for UAV propulsion systems across conventional and vertical take-off flight operations
  4. Evaluate safe practices and strategies for handling, storing, and integrating hydrogen propulsion technologies in UAV designs
  5. Analyse regulatory and sustainability considerations, including airworthiness, emissions, noise compliance, and lifecycle management of propulsion systems

Teaching methods

All applicable locations

Activity Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)

On-Campus Class

 2 12 weeks 24
On-Campus Lecture 1 12 weeks 12
Online Learning Activities 1 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Learning Activities (Independent Learning) 8.5 12 weeks 102
Total     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULOs
Assignment 1 Individual 30 - 40 % 1, 2
Assignment 2 Group 30 - 50 % 1, 2, 4, 5
Online Tests Individual 10 - 20 % 1, 2, 3, 4

Content

  • UAV design principles
  • Overview of the currently available propulsion systems
    • Conventional and emerging propulsion systems for UAV and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) applications.
  • Exploring sustainable and alternative propulsion technologies, such as electrical or hydrogen propulsion.
    • Electric batteries vs. electric-hydrogen propulsion
    • Hydrogen fuel cell performance
    • Hydrogen combustion engines
  • Estimation of power requirements and design of an efficient propulsion system
  • Environmental Compliance
    • Regulatory framework: emissions and noise standards.
    • Lifecycle sustainability, recyclability, and disposal of UAV components and propulsion systems.

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.