Open source, low-cost and modular fixed-wing UAV with BVLOS flight capabilities for geohazards monitoring and surveying

In this paper we are going to illustrate and discuss the CNR-IRPI-GMG-T1, a fixed-wing UAV designed and assembled by the GMG of the CNR - IRPI and based on a full open source platform. Thanks to its payload modularity (i.e.: optical or multispectral cameras, GNSS RTK positioning, action camera, etc.), the aircraft has been used in a large number of sites for geohazards monitoring and surveying. This low-cost solution has been recently upgraded with an open source technology both for First Person View (FPV) in full HD and to obtain telemetry over a 3G / 4G network. This system has been developed in order to fly Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and to further extend the UAV range of application.