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In this video, I was curious how a group of aircraft working together to solve the same collective task could take advantage of the efficiency gains of formation flight. I begin by discussing how birds reduce induced drag by flying in formation, along with the challenges of applying this method to modern aircraft. I then address the complexities in predicting formation flight paths and introduce the modified RRT* algorithm. Following this, I demonstrate the Python function using Pygame and conclude with insights into how this algorithm could support future implementations of swarm-based formation flight behavior.
Press coverage by Hackaday: https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/formation-flying-does-more-than-look-good/
There is significantly more to explore in this project, including improving the aerodynamic performance assumptions to improve the algorithm's accuracy and enhancing the algorithmic performance to significantly speed up simulations, allowing for quicker iteration and testing. The real-world challenges touched on in the video—such as designing a reliable sensing and control strategy for flying multiple UAVs in close formation—also represent substantial areas for further investigation. Ultimately, this project was a motivating challenge and a good opportunity to implement the RRT* algorithm.
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