Determination of solar UAV design parameters for continuous flight with minimum power consumption by ABC algorithm based

Purpose The purpose of this study is to introduce an innovative approach that uses the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm to optimize the wingspan, aspect ratio (AR) and mass estimation, which constitute the most critical design variables for the low altitude long endurance (LALE) class solar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Design/methodology/approach In this study, upper and lower limits are established to encompass the design parameters from prior solar UAV studies. A novel model is proposed to minimize the required power using the ABC algorithm, considering iterative and simultaneous calculations of wingspan, AR and mass. Wingspan, AR and mass are treated as input parameters, with the required power (P_req) designated as the output parameter. The objective is to ascertain the minimum output parameter for the optimal input parameters. Findings Improvements have been made by determining the input parameters with the ABC algorithm-based model in order for the LALE class solar UAV to fly continuously every day with minimum required power. Research limitations/implications In solar UAV designs, wingspan, AR and mass are directly interrelated design variables. In this study, all input parameters are considered equally important for achieving the minimum required power output. Practical implications Artificial intelligence techniques can be used swiftly, simply and effectively to maximize flight endurance, the paramount objective in solar UAV designs. Simulation studies using the ABC algorithm-based model yield satisfactory results. Future technological advancements, such as improvements in battery and solar cell efficiency, will allow for practical predictions of their impact on UAV flight time and endurance. Social implications The results obtained in this study indicate that the proposed method can serve as a practical tool for solar UAV designers in determining the most critical design parameters. Originality/value The LALE class provides a novel, fast, solvable and cost-effective model for determining the fundamental design parameters that iteratively change in solar UAV designs, thereby enabling continuous flight with optimal power consumption.