The field of unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) has experienced significant technological advancements and diverse applications in recent years. Consequently, the need for improved testing methods to keep pace with these advancements has become crucial. This masters thesis presents the development of a novel test platform for UAVs, encompassing the development process, encountered challenges, and future prospects. The primary objective of this project is to design and create a UAV test bench that enhances the workflow of a research and development team. The final design fulfils all mandatory requirements established at the project's inception and includes additional features to address secondary needs. As a result, the developed prototype provides the team with a valuable tool applicable to various scenarios, including the development of new aircraft, and testing and troubleshooting of existing fleet members. The prototypes development follows an iterative design approach, adapting to changing requirements and overcoming challenges related to materials, budget constraints, and manufacturing complexity. To ensure robustness and reliability, software and electronics choices are based on established components and protocols, resulting in a test bench that outperforms the tested UAV in terms of reliability and robustness. The document starts by introducing the reader to the purpose and reasoning behind why the project was done. Then a market analysis is presented together with an explanation for the decision of starting a design from scratch. The next section describes in detail the design process of the prototype. This chapter is followed by the software architecture description. The last body chapter explains the systems integration in preparation for the manufacturing and assembly process. Finally, a conclusion chapter showing the project conclusions, cost approximation, and further work is presented. Through this research, a comprehensive understanding of UAV testing methodologies and the development of an advanced test platform is achieved, laying the foundation for continued advancements in the field of unmanned aircraft vehicles.
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