Distributed Network Control of Multi-UAV Systems for Cooperative Heavy-Load Transport Using a Virtual-Passivity Framework

This paper presents a novel distributed network control framework for cooperative heavy-load transportation using multi-UAV systems, accounting for thrust limitations and heterogeneous cable characteristics. By constructing a virtual passive system comprising interconnected virtual nodes, springs, and dampers, the proposed method decouples internal coordination stability from external velocity tracking. A velocity tracking controller is devised to asymptotically steer the load’s velocity toward a desired trajectory, while preserving inter-agent cohesion through virtual interactions. Notably, the controller operates without explicit inter-UAV communication, relying solely on relative position measurements. Numerical simulations involving ten UAVs transporting a 14 kg load-exceeding 76% of their combined thrust capacity-along a figure-eight trajectory validate the proposed method. Field tests with six UAVs transporting a 6 kg load are conducted to validate the control framework’s performance in practical applications. The results confirm accurate velocity tracking, balanced cable tension distribution, and scalability to heterogeneous UAV team configurations.