Hybrid electric propulsion system retrofit for a ICE-powered fixed-wing UAV via model-based design

• Retrofitting of ICE-based propulsion systems into hybrid with reduced modifications. • Experimentally validated electro-thermal propulsion model and UAV flight dynamics. • Supervisory Hybrid Control Computer with nonlinear PI-based OOL tracking EMS. • MIL tests demonstrating reduced fuel consumption and ICE lower thermal stress. The inherent advantages of electric propulsion systems in terms of torque density, compactness, efficiency, and maintainability is nowadays driving research and develo