Aeromechanics of UAVs & Drones Course | IIT Kanpur | Prof. Abhishek
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 921 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Aerospace Engineering, Flight Mechanics |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Aeromechanics of Drones: A Comprehensive 12-Week Course by IIT Kanpur
The world of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones is rapidly evolving, driving innovation across industries from defense and agriculture to logistics and filmmaking. At the heart of every high-performance drone lies the complex science of aeromechanics—the interplay of aerodynamics and flight mechanics. For students and professionals eager to build a solid foundation in this cutting-edge field, a new, meticulously structured course from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) offers an unparalleled opportunity.
Your Guide: A Pioneering Expert in UAV Technology
This course is led by Prof. Abhishek from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur. A distinguished academic and innovator, Prof. Abhishek brings over 14 years of dedicated research in both manned and unmanned vertical takeoff and landing systems. His credentials are exceptional:
- Academic Excellence: PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur where he received the President’s Silver Medal.
- Award-Winning Research: Recipient of the prestigious INAE-SERB Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship (2018) for groundbreaking work in UAVs and wind turbines.
- Industry Leadership: Founder of EndureAir Systems Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman of the Unmanned Aerial System panel of India's Aeronautical Research and Development Board.
- Curriculum Developer: Spearheaded the creation of India's first interdisciplinary MTech program in Unmanned System Technology.
Course Overview: Building Foundational Knowledge for UAV Design
This 12-week undergraduate-level course is designed to demystify the aeromechanics of miniature flying machines. It provides a comprehensive overview essential for the design and development of autonomous UAS of all types: fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing).
Intended Audience: This course is ideal for both Aerospace and non-Aerospace engineering students. Whether you are an undergraduate curious about drones, a postgraduate student seeking introductory knowledge, or a professional looking to pivot into the UAV industry, this course equips you with the necessary working knowledge.
Prerequisites: None! This is an introductory course accessible to students from any engineering background with an interest in UAV technology.
Detailed 12-Week Course Curriculum
The course is structured to take you from fundamental concepts to advanced applications in a logical progression.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to UAVs, Types, Applications, Design Process & Goals |
| Week 2 | UAS as a System of Systems, Sub-system Roles, Fixed-Wing Controls, Intro to Aerodynamics |
| Week 3 | Aerodynamic Performance: Lift, Drag, L/D, Pitching Moment, Wing Loading, Stalling Speed |
| Week 4 | Performance Metrics: Load Factor, Range, Endurance, Rate of Climb for Fuel/Battery Systems |
| Week 5 | Low Reynolds Number Aerodynamics, Propeller Theory |
| Week 6 | Introduction to Rotary-Wing Aerodynamics, Momentum Theory in Hover, Nomenclature |
| Week 7 | Momentum Theory in Climb, Descent, and Forward Flight |
| Week 8 | Blade Element Theory, Rotors in Axial and Edgewise Flight |
| Week 9 | Blade Element Momentum Theory, Prandtl Tip Loss Function |
| Week 10 | Performance of Rotary-Wing UAVs: Range, Endurance, Rate of Climb, Max Speed |
| Week 11 | Introduction to Flapping Wing UAVs and Unsteady Aerodynamics |
| Week 12 | Flight Dynamics of UAVs with Focus on Quadrotor Flight Dynamics |
Essential Reference Materials
The course content is supported by authoritative texts, including:
- Principles of Helicopter Aerodynamics by Gordon J. Leishman
- Small Unmanned Aircraft: Theory and Practice by Beard and McLain
- Fundamentals of Helicopter Dynamics by C. Venkatesan
- Introduction to the Design of Fixed-Wing Micro Air Vehicles by Shkarayev et al.
- Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics by J. Seddon
Industry Recognition & Career Pathways
This course holds significant value for the booming UAV industry. The curriculum is designed in alignment with industry needs, and knowledge gained is directly applicable at leading companies, including:
- Ideaforge Technology Ltd.
- New Space Research
- Aarav Unmanned System / Aerio
- Asteria Aerospace
- EndureAir Systems Pvt. Ltd.
- Raphe Mphibr
By completing this course, you will gain a critical edge in understanding the core principles that govern drone flight, performance, and design—a skillset highly sought after in research, development, and innovation roles within the aerospace sector.
Embark on your journey to mastering drone technology. This IIT Kanpur course, under the expert guidance of Prof. Abhishek, is your definitive first step towards becoming a proficient UAV engineer and innovator.
Enroll Now →