Try Onshape Free – Engineers Get Up to 6 Months Pro: https://onshape.pro/Neuronautics Download the NX-2 model - 15% discount during the first 15 days after the video release with code: NEURONAUTICS101 https://cults3d.com/en/users/Neuronautics Can my AI-designed flying wing really fly 200 km? 🤖✈️ Over the last few months, I’ve been trying to answer one ambitious question: can artificial intelligence help design the ultimate efficient flying wing? The result was the NX-2: a 3D-printed, high-aspect-ratio flying wing optimized using aerodynamic simulations and an evolutionary algorithm. After designing, building, and flight-testing the aircraft, I also built a custom thrust bench to find the most efficient motor and propeller combinations for long-endurance flight. But bench testing is only half of the story. In this video, we take the best propulsion setups from the thrust bench and test them in real flight using autonomous loiter missions, advanced telemetry logging, and Python post-processing to measure how much energy the NX-2 really needs to cover distance. And the results were not what I expected. During the flight campaign, the NX-2 was pushed close to its aerodynamic limits, leading to stall testing, flat spins, crashes, repairs, and a much deeper understanding of the real stall speed, maximum lift coefficient, and efficiency sweet spot of the aircraft. The best setup reached around 0.32 Wh/km, improving the original configuration by roughly 32% in energy consumption per kilometer — or about 47% more theoretical range with the same battery. So… was the AI right? Based on the flight data, the NX-2 is no longer just a theoretical 100 km aircraft. With a typical 3S lithium-ion pack, the data suggests it could already reach around 120 km, and with a lighter endurance-focused setup, the theoretical range could go well beyond 200 km. Support the channel: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Neuronautics Download the NX-2 model: https://cults3d.com/en/users/Neuronautics #UAV #AI #FlyingWing #RCPlane #FPV #Aerodynamics #Engineering #Onshape #Formlabs #3DPrinting #ArduPilot #Propeller #BrushlessMotor #FlightTesting #Optimization #Neuronautics
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Hi there, I am an aeronautical engineer and a commercial pilot, a few things I would like to point out as I watch your (amazing) video are as follows: The flat spin was probably caused by too far back center of gravity and the fact it being a flying wing which does have tendency for flat spins. Some aircraft have pointed out in their manuals that in case of a flat spin you are to unbuckle and move your body to front to shift CG forward. Second the stall speed you assumed for calculations was ( I assume) ground speed from GPS data not airspeed and that’s not how you determine it you need an airspeed indicator in form of pitot static tube and also much more important your aircraft was in a turn and some of the lift generated was not counteracting weight and was used for the turn (there is a whole thing called load factor) anyway in a banked turn the stall speed is much higher than in level flight If you have any questions I am more then happy to help just contact me. I am fascinated by your project and looking forward to seeing more results good luck
bro you have to test the endurance of this baby it would be amazing to watch it
From an engineer perspective, that is some serious engineering that you are doing. Thanks for everything you do and share!
I don't think you want a rigid nose. A stronger nose will transfer the forces to where it joins the rest of the aircraft. You would want something like the crumple zones in a car; something that can adsorb the impact by compressing and bouncing back. I think a softer, flexible material would be better.
Not a word I normally use for YouTube videos, but this project is inspirational.
Congrats, you did more work optimizing the airframe and propulsion system than a major US defense contractor did on a Group 2 UAV. Great stuff!
This channel is the one channel that during the weeks I sometimes stop and wonder "when will next video come out". Keep up the great work!
4:11 the Spanish guitar synced with the flight testing was a delight to watch!
this is top tier engineering geek content. your efficiency gains are epic. cant wait for the long range test
many people can not sense the problems you have solved to reach end this project. Thank you for your perseverance.
When calculating the estimated range, are you actually accounting for the weight of the battery? Because 200+km and 2.5+ hours of flight time (extrapolated form the data you show) feels a little bit optimistic😅. Though if it's actually like you say, it would be really impressive. Nonetheless, very interesting videos, keep it up. Can't wait to see proper endurance testing for this project.
I have not seen this level of original fixed wing content in years
Love watching real engineering take place, thanks so much for sharing not only the journey but the output. Hypothesis, discovery, analysis, validation, reflection. Yes, there's parts any of us could improve on our projects. But any designer watching knows the effort and care required - hardware is hard. It's nice to sense that humanity takes a step forward together with you - at a time when we're taking so many steps back.
Wow, the work put into trying to optimize every aspect of this aircraft is crazy! Hope you continue and find more things you can improve.
Fly in a "figure 8" instead of a circle, to mitigate torque bias (and possibly control surface variation.) Also, perhaps explore teflon paint.
Thanks for all your videos. First time commenting but I love them all and like very much your engineering approche. Take care.
Great teaser with the toroidal propeller at the end!
Can’t wait until you try your hand at making your own propeller blades next! Look into studies they’ve done with Blue Whale fins! Keep up the fun experiments! It might also be an interesting experiment to bring the blue whale fin nodules to your plane wings too
The level of engineering you weild Is quite astonishing.. i would not be able tò do any of this! Cant wait for the Endurance test of this fantastic Planet! 🎉🎉🎉
That's fantastic. Your final design looks a bit like a seagull or albatross. I have always wondered, does the surface texture affect the efficiency - like it does with shark skin? "Sharks are covered in microscopic, tooth-like scales called dermal denticles. These scales have tiny, grooved ridges called riblets that: Reduce drag: They channel water efficiently and break up tiny turbulent swirls (vortices) that form as the animal swims. Generate thrust: The specific curvature of the denticles can create small low-pressure zones that propel the shark forward." Maybe the texture of a feather can be applied with a silicon roller and special paint?