Simulation and Control of 6-DOF Dynamics for a T-45 UAV Platform

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF) flight dynamics simulation model for the T-45 Goshawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a wingspan of 130 cm. The developed model provides a reliable basis for the analysis of UAV performance under normal flight scenarios including hovering and autopilot modes. The aerodynamic coefficients have been determined using Digital DATCOM+pro, a fast and widely adopted tool that relies on empirical and semi-empirical formulations to approximate lift, drag and moment characteristics across different phases of flight. The proposed system architecture integrates the primary physical components, such as atmospheric, propulsion, and control models. MATLAB/Simulink has been utilized to emulate the full motion behavior of the T-45 UAV. The autopilot performance has been tested through multiple scenarios, demonstrating stable and favorable responses. This new approach to simulation offers a way that is adaptable and scalable to the needs of UAV projects and constitutes a software tool for the iterative development and testing of flight control algorithms. © 2025 IEEE.