Prioritizing Design Criteria for Unmanned Helicopter Systems under Uncertainty using Fuzzy Best Worst Method Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31181/jidmgc1120251Keywords:
Unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV, Unmanned Helicopter, Helicopter, Best-worst method, BWM, Fuzzy sets, Multi-criteria decision making, MCDMAbstract
Unmanned helicopter systems, as a subcategory of rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have gained increasing attention in both military and civilian domains due to their vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, hovering stability, and operational flexibility in confined or complex environments. However, the limited number of operational platforms and prototypes highlights the need for systematic evaluation and development efforts. This study aims to identify and assess critical performance criteria for unmanned helicopters, drawing on an extensive review of existing models and technological trends. Based on the most commonly emphasized parameters in the global UAV landscape, five core evaluation criteria were selected: payload capacity, endurance, control range, maximum speed, and dimensional constraints. To systematically analyze these criteria, the Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (FBWM) was applied, enabling expert-driven prioritization under uncertainty and linguistic vagueness. The use of FBWM not only enhances the robustness of the decision-making process but also provides a structured foundation for comparative assessment of existing and prototype unmanned helicopter systems. The findings contribute to the literature by proposing a reproducible and adaptable evaluation framework, offering strategic insights for future design priorities and national development programs. This study represents one of the first applications of fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approaches specifically tailored to unmanned helicopters, marking a significant step toward structured technology assessment in this emerging domain.
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