Open Conceptual Design Architecture for a Multi-Mission Tactical Quadcopter Using COTS Components

This paper presents an open conceptual design architecture for a multi-mission tactical quadcopter addressing critical payload limitations in existing commercial loitering munitions. Current tactical quadcopters are limited to 200 g payload capacity, incompatible with standard military ordnance such as the Indonesian GT5-PEA2 defensive grenade (430 g). The design utilizes Components-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) to create a cost-effective platform carrying 400 g to 600 g payloads—a 120 % increase over commercial alternatives. The modular architecture enables three mission profiles: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); payload delivery; and kamikaze operations. The compact foldable configuration achieves 180 mm maximum dimensions when stowed, ensuring infantry portability. Performance analysis demonstrates the ISR configuration achieves 30 min enduranceand 6790 m range at 387.4 g operating weight, meeting design objectives. Payload missions yield 9.3 min endurance and 2950 m range at 852.6 g maximum take-off mass, with endurance below the 15 min mandatory requirement due to payload-performance trade-offs. Economic analysis reveals 415 to 434 USD component costs with 774 USD unit pricing for 100-unit production, representing 68 % cost reduction versus approximately 2400 USD commercial alternatives. Complete design documentation is made publicly available to democratize tactical UAV technology access and accelerate collaborative development.