VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 FEB/MAR 2019 A SHEPHARD MEDIA PUBLICATION

Keeping watch
UAVs tasked in new maritime roles

THROWING PUNCHES UNDER SCRUTINY UNDERSEA ROVERS

Military UGVs Infrastructure inspection Aquatic exploration

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 Shadow® UAS image used with permission of Textron Systems. Courtesy of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Image courtesy of UMS SKELDAR.

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 CONTENTS
Editor-in-Chief and Sea Editor
Richard Thomas [email protected] 3 EDITORIAL COMMENT FEATURE
Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2591 Drone to distraction 28 THROWING PUNCHES
Air Editor While unmanned systems on air, land and
Helen Haxell [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2597 4 NEWS sea have advanced enormously over the last
Deputy Editor – Land • British Army calls for the speedy adoption two decades in myriad ways, the use of such
Beth Maundrill [email protected] of MUM-T systems in military applications has mostly
Asia-Pacific Editor • Russia funds advanced UAV systems been restricted to airborne ISR and strike roles,
Gordon Arthur [email protected]
• GA-ASI deals signify good business for Britain typically at the strategic or operational level.
Staff Reporters
Tim Martin, Kate Martyr
• Ukraine buys Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAVs
• Regulation disappointment for Thales at FEATURE
Contributors
Claire Apthorp, Angus Batey, Autonomous Warrior 34 UNDERSEA ROVERS
Gerrard Cowan, Rory Jackson, • Chinese FL-1 UCAV makes maiden flight The world’s oceans, providing as they do all
Beth Stevenson, Heidi Vella, Andrew White
• More FLIR Black Hornet PRS for US Army manner of bounty for mankind, also represent
Production Manager
Georgina Smith an aquatic barrier to the exploitation of vast
Production Editor
FEATURE untapped resources. Nevertheless, ROV
Elaine Effard 12 SURVEYING THE SEAS manufacturers are determined to go beyond
Digital Development Manager There is a notable appetite in both the military this frontier.
Adam Wakeling
and civil sectors to use UAVs to carry out
Graphic Designer
Georgina Kerridge
airborne surveillance in support of maritime INTERVIEW
operations, although there is seemingly some 40 THREAT ASSESSMENT
Advertising Sales
[email protected] way to go before the use of them in either Tal Inbar, head of the space and UAV centre
VP Business Development domain is a mainstay occurrence. at the Fisher Institute, spoke to Shephard about
Mike Wild the threats that drones pose to civil and military
VP Content FEATURE installations, and the means by which to
Tony Skinner
18 INTELLIGENT IMAGING combat them.
VP Operations
David Hurst While SWaP is still a major driver in the
CEO
development of EO payloads, a new
Darren Lake technological dawn is breaking, in which AI will
Chairman form the foundation of data-collection methods.
Nick Prest

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 COMMENT

Beth Maundrill, Deputy Editor – Land

Drone to distraction
Just as 2018 was coming to a close, one of reporting, focusing instead on its existing
the UK’s major airports, Gatwick, was shut contract with the UK MoD. The deal is valued In the next issue
down for three days owing to a rogue drone at £7.6 million ($9.7 million) and has an
flying into its airspace. option for additional funding following • MALE UAS (combat)
As the UK government sought to address testing and evaluation by the government. • Optical payloads Part 2
the incident, it became abundantly clear So, the technology is out there. One of
• AUVs
how underprepared both the airport and the main issues seems to be that there is
police were for dealing with such a no one off-the-shelf piece of equipment • Robotic manipulation
situation. Indeed, at the time of writing, that can detect and bring down a drone,
the drone disruptors are still at large. and there is, perhaps, some reluctance on
The airport was so under-equipped that the part of the commercial sector to invest requirements to fly in UK airspace
the UK military was brought in to provide in such equipment. (see p8). Thales had been due to fly its
assistance. However, as another UAV Spyranger UAV, but the company told
sighting halted air traffic at Heathrow Firmly on the ground Shephard that the process for flight approval
airport in January 2019, Gavin Williamson Meanwhile, at ground level, the UK MoD was more complex than was first assumed.
MP, UK Defence Secretary, called for concluded last year with its Army Warfighting The platform is due to enter operational
airports to increase their investment in Experiment 2018 –Autonomous Warrior service with the French military this year.
technology to counter drones. (Land) exercise in Salisbury. It is interesting that a company with a
He said that it was not feasible to simply Some of the usual suspects participated wealth of knowledge on the development,
rely on the RAF to step in. Fair enough. The in the experiment. Qinetiq/Milrem Robotics testing and flying of UAVs was grounded
situation as it stands seems to be a disaster showcased the Titan platform in two while those with hobby-style drones were
waiting to happen, or one already happening. configurations: medevac and logistical able to disregard the comprehensive
This is not just a UK issue either. As this support, which saw the UGV equipped with rules, cause disruption and seemingly
is being penned, reported drone sightings a tethered multi-rotor drone. evade capture.
have caused disruption at Newark The exercise lasted for four weeks and
International Airport in the US. was reminiscent of the RN’s Unmanned Searching for solutions
Shephard will continue to explore over Warrior exercise, which took place in 2017. It appears that regulatory evolution will not
the coming issues of UV the multiple C-UAS Both events proved to be a great show of be enough going forward – those who play
technologies that are available on the capabilities for the unmanned community, by the rules will always do so, but those
market, from the DroneGun produced by but whether they will lead to firm willing to disregard the precautions put in
DroneShield, which expertly used the acquisitions or programmes is still to be place by aviation bodies will continue to
Gatwick fiasco as a marketing opportunity determined, as the military continues to push the boundaries.
for its solution, to the Rafael Drone Dome, experiment with the technologies. The only solution for airports worldwide
which although reportedly used at the While regulations seemed to have been will be to take a considered look at the
hapless airport turned out to be a different ignored by those operating their drones C-UAS products available on the market and
kit entirely. around commercial airports, one company invest appropriately. The challenge for
The Israel-based OEM has been keeping was unable to attend the Salisbury event industry will be to develop a C-UAS system
its head down regarding the erroneous due to its failure to meet comprehensive ▪
that can work in the civil world.

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 NEWS

British Army calls for the

speedy adoption of MUM-T
For the British Army, the future is executive, said: ‘These robotics and
autonomous, and manned-unmanned autonomous systems allow us to generate
teaming (MUM-T) will be the starting point greater mass and give us more options in
for this, according to members of the UK how we tackle tactical challenges. They Photo: author
MoD at the Autonomous Warrior (Land) don’t get tired and they give us a greater
(AW(L) 18) exercise. persistence in surveillance.’ bandwidth. We need to find ways of being
At the event, various systems were He emphasised that the AW(L) 18 event really efficient with uses of bandwidth,’
demonstrated utilising MUM-T, including was ‘not a procurement exercise, but we Rowell explained.
the Titan Strike and Titan Sentry UGVs, will push ahead with MUM-T in 2019’. Lt Col Nick Serle, commanding officer of
designed by Hendsoldt, Konsberg and Another area of interest highlighted by the Infantry Trials and Development Unit,
Milrem Robotics. the MoD was data integration, which would agreed: ‘We’re fighting physics here – it’s
Qintiq’s MUM-T of two sUAS alongside aid decision-making. However, thus far, the electromagnetic spectrum; it’s trying to
an AH1 Gazelle helicopter was also used bandwidth limitations have restricted find frequency and bandwidth so that you
to conduct ISR and strike targets. development of this. can control these vehicles in a near-real-
Much of this technology could be in use ‘There are some really amazing time way. That’s really challenging.’
this year after the British MoD highlighted surveillance systems that we’ve seen out The experiment also threw traditional
MUM-T as an area of rapid adoption. there. We need to find a way of fusing acquisition processes into question, with
Speaking to Shephard, Col Peter Rowell, them and presenting the findings to the the MoD now pondering new ways to
Assistant Head of Capability, Strategy decision-makers really quickly, and that’s accommodate technological developments.
and Force Development and AW(L) 18 a big challenge. This requires a lot of By Kate Martyr, Salisbury

Russia funds advanced UAV systems

that were offered in 2017 by Kursk-based The UAV was originally designed by
Aviaavtomatica – one weighing 25kg and Kazan-based Simonov Design Bureau, in
two more coming in at 50kg each. cooperation with Kronshtadt Group. Its
Manufactured by the privately owned maiden flight was reported in July 2016.
Photo: Russian MoD Kronstadt Group of St Petersburg, the Orion Further development, testing and serial
is a V-tail air vehicle with 1.2t take-off production will now be undertaken by the
The Russian MoD has accelerated its weight. It has a range of 250km, a ceiling of Urals Civil Aviation Works in Yekaterinburg.
efforts to field three new long-endurance 7,500m, a maximum speed of 108kt and The jet-powered S-70 Okhotnik, from
combat UAV systems, with the first slated an endurance up to 24h. combat aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi, is
to enter service in 2019, while the other Krivoruchko also revealed details about the third heavy UAV system currently in
two will begin flight testing. another UAV design for the Russian military, development for the Russian military.
The Orion (pictured) is the first this time in the HALE class – the Altius. Krivoruchko hinted that it is set to begin
Russian-made MALE-class UAV and is After a significant upgrade, the platform flight testing in spring of this year, saying
offered for a wide variety of military is slated to re-commence its flight testing that the Okhotnik is a priority project for
applications. The system is currently at effort this May or June. Krivoruchko the Russian military and work on it is
the most advanced development stage. admitted that the programme has incurred progressing at a good pace.
According to the Russian Deputy Minister a slight delay in its development schedule, The Okhotnik is a low-observable, jet-
of Defence, Alexey Krivoruchko, who is and noted that the MoD exercises serious powered, armed UAV for deep-strike
responsible for the procurement, the control over the work on this system. missions. It has a flying-wing aerodynamic
Orion’s flight testing is in the final stages, The Altius is powered by two diesel layout without fins. Its maximum take-off
and the first deliveries of production- engines, each rated at 250shp, has a weight is 20t, and the system’s top speed
standard systems are slated for this year. take-off weight of about 5t and can carry is expected to hit 540kt.
In addition to ISR applications, the Orion a combat load of up to 2t. Its endurance is High-speed taxi trials reaching 108kt
can be used for strike missions, using 48h, while range extends to 10,000km. Its were undertaken in November 2018.
three different types of guided munitions ceiling is 39,370ft. By Alexander Mladenov, Sofia

4 UNMANNED VEHICLES FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 WWW.UVONLINE.COM At IDEX 2019, Abu

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 UNMANNED

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At IDEX 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE, please visit us at booth #07D32.

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 NEWS

GA-ASI deals signify

good business for Britain Photo: GA-ASI
As industry continues to ponder how a the company announced multiple contract
no-deal Brexit would effect the British deal and agreements with BAE Systems, high-precision strike missile onto the RAF’s
workforce, US company General Atomics MBDA and Raytheon UK. Protector RG Mk1 UAV.
Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) made it ‘It’s business as usual. We are here to Discussions on this deal were earmarked
clear that it is business as usual for celebrate the future contribution of UK back in December 2016, and the
the OEM as a number of agreements industry with these signings and agreement is further to missile trials which
with UK companies were unveiled on agreements showing General Atomics and have taken place in the US.
24 January. UK commitments [to programmes]… but GA-ASI and MBDA have been on
Whilst the Brexit lexicon reverberates the bottom line is business as usual,’ a contract since October 2018, and Chris
across the UK defence industry and beyond, GA-ASI spokesperson told Shephard. Dusseault, senior director at GA-ASI,
the only ‘b’ word GA-ASI is adamant about is A contract between GA-ASI and MBDA commented on the partnership’s
‘business’. At an industry showcase event, marked the integration of the Brimstone relevance: ‘It is an incredibly important
contract; it integrates, tests and delivers
the Brimstone 3 onto Protector and
Ukraine buys Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAVs subsequently to the warfighter.
‘We are on contract already with MBDA,
for the first time in November 2011, when so this is just to commemorate that forged
Photo: Presidency of the Poroshenko visited Baykar Makina. relationship, the agreements we have in
Republic of Turkey
Reports at the time said that the Ukrainian place to integrate the Brimstone 3 weapon,
order was for six UAVs and two GCSs, in which is a very sophisticated dual-mode
addition to 200 guided missiles, spare parts, weapon – the best in the world at hitting
ground support equipment and training, with moving targets. It has a millimetre-wave
the entire package priced at $69 million. radar and a laser.’
In early January 2019, however, it was Another agreement was signed to
Ukraine has placed an order for Turkish- reported that the number of UAVs ordered by confirm the supply of Paveway IV precision-
made Bayraktar TB2 MALE-class UAVs. This Ukrspetsexport is 12, plus three GCSs, but no guided munitions by Raytheon UK for the
was revealed by Ukranian President Petro missiles have been included in the package. Protector platform.
Poroshenko on 12 January 2019. The Bayraktar TB2 is undoubtedly The first international contract for the
He hinted that this deal was a direct intended to boost the Ukrainian military’s weapon was in Q2 2014, and it is already
result of the agreement received from his ISR capabilities. known by the RAF through its utilisation
Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The newly purchased UAVs will be used to on the Harrier GR6 and the Tornado GR4.
The Turkish-made UAVs, according to support combat operations in the restive An MoU was signed between BAE
Poroshenko, could be armed with modern Eastern Ukraine, against the military forces Systems and GA-ASI, which is a JV on the
precision-guided missiles for destroying of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk integration of remotely piloted aircraft into
armoured targets, engineering and People’s Republic, as well as to perform UK national airspace.
fortification facilities and sea targets. surveillance of the Black and Azov Seas. ‘The Protector has many missions, but
Poroshenko also hinted that the purchase Initially developed for the Turkish Armed one of the most significant is to have an
contract has been inked between Ukrainian Forces, the Bayraktar TB2 is a surveillance aircraft that can be certified and can fly in
state-owned company Ukrspetsexport and and reconnaissance UAV system. integrated airspace in the UK. Nobody has
Turkish company Bykar Makina. The air vehicle has a 650kg take-off ever done this before,’ said Dusseault.
In turn, Ukrspetsexport will deliver the weight, with a communications range up to ‘It’s quite a challenge, and there’s a team
UAVs to the end user – the Ukrainian MoD. 150km. Its ceiling is 26,900ft, its maximum being formed with experts in the area at
The procurement of the Bayraktar TB2 UAV, speed is 120kt and it has an endurance BAE systems to help us navigate this and to
as Poroshenko claimed, is regarded as a part of up to 24h. The Bayraktar TB2 can carry successfully integrate this into UK airspace
of the ongoing activities aimed at expanding a payload of up to 55kg, including air-to- in the near term.’
the military-technical cooperation between surface guided missiles. By Helen Haxell, London
Ankara and Kiev. Poroshenko visited Ankara In addition to the Turkish military and
on 5 January and met Erdoğan. internal security forces, the type has also For more news, visit
The interest of the Ukrainian military in been ordered by Qatar. www.uvonline.com
obtaining the Bayraktar TB2 was reported By Alex Mladenov, Sofia

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 NEWS

Regulation disappointment for

Thales at Autonomous Warrior
capacity is set for March. The system is Future Integrated Tactical UAS programme,
Photo: Thales
to be ‘properly fielded’ by October. which will begin next year, as the process to
However, in the UK, Thales was left gain the correct documentation is lengthy.
apologising to the MoD after pulling out, last- However, lessons have been learned.
minute, of the AW(L) 18 Level C final test Snape explained: ‘We just need to start
phase for failing to comprehensively research earlier. It will take about six months to
the requirements to fly in UK airspace. go through the necessary hoops. We
Mark Snape, senior capture lead for have to re-write our flight manual. We
Despite flying high in France, the Thales, explained: ‘We thought it was just have to get our pilots, who have 20 years’
Thales Spyranger was left stuck in the going to be a case of submitting the experience flying in France, to go and
Salisbury mud during the Autonomous evidence and getting the authority. It wasn’t.’ do their... test again in the UK.’
Warrior (Land) exercise (AW(L)18) after These time pressures were compounded The Spyranger was scheduled to play a
coming up against British Civil Aviation by the company’s current focus on final supportive role for infantry and artillery
Authority regulations. acceptance trials with the French MoD. soldiers on the ground, fielding ISTAR
Thales told Shephard that the French ‘[Thales] didn’t have the capacity to be able to capacity in the Level C exercises, in force-
Army is looking to have the mini respond quickly enough,’ Snape said. on-force activities that represented the
surveillance and reconnaissance UAV This could have an impact on the OEM’s culmination of AW(L) 18.
operational in 2019, with initial operating plans to submit the Spyranger for the UK’s By Kate Martyr, Salisbury

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 NEWS

Chinese FL-1 UCAV makes maiden flight

Yet another Chinese MALE UCAV has expected schedule. If line-of-sight control is
taken to the air, with the FL-1 successfully used, the FL-1’s maximum range is 250km.
achieving its maiden flight from Pucheng However, if the control system turns to
Neifu Airport in Shaanxi Province, according SATCOM, its range increases to 2,000km.
to an announcement by its developer on With the FL-1, the manufacturer has both
20 January. domestic and export customers in mind for
Technicians said that the aircraft’s missions such as logistics, high-altitude
systems were stable and that ‘technical surveillance (eg monitoring forest fires), Photo: author
parameters were in line with theoretical border patrol, maritime SAR and armed
calculations and analysis’. attack. For the latter mission, there are 2.4m. It is currently in production for
The FL-1, the name representing two hardpoints under either wing that can civilian customers.
Feilong-1 (or Flying Dragon-1/Wyvern-1), is each carry 250kg. The Tiger Shark reconnaissance UAV is
a product from the growing portfolio of the The privately owned company boasted launched from a catapult rail. It measures
Zhongtian Feilong Technology Company. that it took just 18 months from the start 1.8m and has a 3.8m wingspan. The OEM
The FL-1 has a 3,200kg maximum of the project to achieve first flight. Indeed, stated an endurance of 2h and control
take-off weight (MTOW) and a planned the company only initiated its UAV branch radius of 50km. The Tiger Shark can
endurance of 45h. Its payload capacity is in 2016, and it presently employs around operate at altitudes of up to 11,500ft at a
listed as 1,400kg including fuel. The vehicle 100 staff. top speed of 62kt. A spokesperson said
is powered by a rear-mounted heavy-fuel The FL-1 looks very similar to the CH-5 that the system is suitable for civilian and
engine of indeterminate type. Its cruising from the China Aerospace Science and military applications, and it has several
speed is 108-130kt, while its top speed Technology Corporation. With the competing customers already.
rises to 172kt. The OEM lists a maximum Wing Loong family also in widespread The FL-3 is a planned solar-powered
ceiling of 8,000m, whereas its cruising service, the Chinese MALE UCAV market long-endurance near-space platform with
altitude will be 19,700ft. is becoming very crowded. a 85,300ft ceiling. Its MTOW is 450kg and
Zhongtian Feilong exhibited the actual The Xian-based company put on a it has a 50m wingspan that will allow it to
prototype of the FL-1 at Airshow China sizeable exhibit at last November’s Zhuhai stay aloft for up to one year at a time. The
2018, where it was dubbed a ‘large-payload Airshow under the name ZT Guide Control pseudo-satellite can carry a 60kg payload,
long-endurance universal unmanned Technology Company. and representatives promised at Zhuhai that
transportation platform’. As well as the FL-1, five other UAS it would be flying before the end of 2018.
At the show, company representatives told designs were shown by ZT Guide Control ZT Guide Control also showed a 1:5
Shephard that the system would fly before at Zhuhai. The FL-91 is a short-range UAV scale model of its high-subsonic FL-2
the end of 2018, meaning that its actual that can fly for around 1.5h. Weighing 4kg, turbofan-powered stealth UCAV. An official
maiden flight was slightly behind the this hand-launched UAV’s wingspan is confirmed that the platform is now in the
design stage and would not fly for another
two to three years. A product placard showed
More FLIR Black Hornet PRS for US Army an MTOW of 22t (including a 6t payload),
10h endurance and 7,000km range.
and small unit level surveillance and One final design still on the drawing
reconnaissance capabilities. board is the FL-71 ‘Supersonic Unmanned
The UAS is equipped with EO/IR sensors Transportation Platform’. This sleek,
and can transmit live video and HD images futuristic-looking design will weigh up to
back to the operator. The system can detect 3,000kg and cruise 10km above Earth, or
and identify threats day and night without at a maximum ceiling of 49,200ft. The
being detected. system’s typical speed is 465kt, but it can
Photo: FLIR In June 2018, the US Army awarded accelerate to a maximum of 1,190kt.
the first SBS phase contract to FLIR for Curiously, however, its maximum range is
FLIR Systems will deliver its Black Hornet an initial batch of Black Hornet PRS. just 900km and its endurance is little more
personal reconnaissance systems (PRS) in These systems are now being delivered than 1h.
support of the US Army Soldier Borne to the service for initial integration into Commencing operations in 2012,
Sensor (SBS) programme, the company the force. Zhongtian Feilong does business in five
announced on 24 January. Delivery of the systems will begin in major areas: armoured vehicles, UAVs, UGVs,
The nano UAV systems, delivered under early 2019. munitions and defence cloud platforms.
the $39.6 million order, will support platoon By Claire Apthorpe, London By Gordon Arthur, Hong Kong

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 AIRBORNE MARITIME OPERATIONS

Surveying the

SEAS
A
ir forces and armies the world
over are seasoned operators of
unmanned systems in one form
category, integration on board a vessel
brings its own challenges, including any
required deconfliction with manned aircraft
support of civil agency activities to help
monitor the illegal trafficking of people and
goods, or to monitor fisheries, for example.
or another, having utilised autonomous that might also be operating from the ship.
capabilities in support of often mundane It is certainly not the case that there is a Paving the way
tasks in many theatres over the past couple lack of desire to integrate UAVs into these One effort that is somewhat pioneering the
of decades. However, the integration of operations, however. Most sophisticated introduction of unmanned surveillance in
such platforms by their naval sister forces navies are at least exploring the concept of the civil sphere is the work being conducted
comes with a number of challenges that unmanned integration or have acquisition by Frontex and the European Maritime
are still yet to be fully overcome. or assessment programmes under way to Safety Agency (EMSA). Over the course of
To operate a maritime surveillance UAV, analyse the capabilities on offer. 2018, the complementary agencies have
the range, endurance and the system has The USN, for example, has fully issued a series of respective awards to the
to be reliable operating over vast distances fledged unmanned capabilities in service, majority of European UAV manufacturers,
as well as in environmental conditions that ranging from small tactical systems up to tasking them with carrying out operations
pose substantial difficulties. unmanned helicopters and HALE fixed-wing over maritime borders within the union,
Different approaches to this type of types, demonstrating that it is feasible that often under two-year contracts, with options
operation must be assessed, including all levels of UAV operation can be integrated for two further separate years. These
selecting the type of system to be introduced into naval operations. missions can include surveillance, target
(be it fixed- or rotary-wing), as well as On the other hand, there is a clear push detection and emission monitoring.
choosing where operations will be conducted to incorporate – or at least assess – UAVs Leonardo announced that it was one
from, namely land or sea. In the latter to be able to carry out surveillance in of the recipients of these service model

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 AIRBORNE MARITIME OPERATIONS

identifying boats and ships that are on

There is a notable appetite in both the military the sea, and to have the possibility of not
and civil sectors to use UAVs to carry out having to fly so high.’
Boggiani explained that the requirement
airborne surveillance in support of maritime at present is for Falco to deploy from land
operations, although there is seemingly some for these maritime operations, and there is
not currently a need for it to be integrated
way to go before the use of them in either onto a vessel. The SATCOM capability on
domain is a mainstay occurrence. board allows the system to be operated
from longer distances, he added, so it
By Beth Stevenson
can be effectively deployed from land and
then fly to an area of interest while being
UMS Skeldar is seeing success in both the civil
controlled from a GCS based elsewhere.
maritime and naval domains, and is currently
being integrated with ViDAR to add more The speed at which a fixed-wing UAV can
surveillance capability. (Photo: UMS Skeldar) fly in comparison to a rotary-wing one also
lends itself to being able to operate at
stand-off ranges from the control station.
Leonardo is specifically seeing a services
market for this type of operation, whereby it
provides the capability on a by-hour basis
so that the customer acquires the data and
information rather than the asset itself. ‘At
the moment, the business model is moving
towards services instead of, or in addition
to, procurement,’ Boggiani explained. ‘In
the civilian market and within its agencies –
for the time being – this is the preferred
business model, in order not to have to
invest in a fleet, but simply to use the fleet
when and where they need it.’
Furthermore, the company has recognised
that much of the business it will encounter in
the maritime market will come from civilian
agencies wanting to bolster their overwatch
capabilities in a lower-cost manner than
contracts in December 2018, when it This new maritime configuration also buying a manned surveillance aircraft, for
revealed that Frontex had tasked it with includes a new heavy-fuel engine, an example, or the platform will be employed
using the new maritime configuration of automatic identification system (AIS) and a as an additional asset for those that do not
its Falco Evo fixed-wing UAV to carry out communications relay suite payload. ‘These have any capability of this type at all.
surveillance from Lampedusa airport in are the most important evolutions of the ‘We are still supporting the military
Sicily. This work is part of a research Falco, allowing for longer missions and market in this, but there is a trend
programme to assess the system’s use in beyond-line-of-sight [operations] with of requests coming from civilian
monitoring the external borders of the EU. respect to the ground control station,’ organisations,’ Boggiani explained. ‘If our
Under the remit of Italy’s police force, with Fabrizio Boggiani, head of Leonardo military community asks for something
coordination from the Ministry of Interior, the Support and Services Solutions Italy, as well to deploy to survey the maritime
company is contracted to fly 300h for the told Shephard. scenario, of course we are ready.’
programme. Falco Evo is allowed to operate He added: ‘We think this is the right
under a permit to fly granted by the Italian configuration for this type of application High heli demand
civil aviation authority. This authorises it to fly because the size of the area that could be On the rotary side, both Schiebel and UMS
in Italian and Maltese civil airspace. patrolled and monitored can be larger, and Skeldar announced in November 2018 that
The platform will be fitted with a sensor there is also the possibility of flying at low they had been awarded deals from EMSA
suite that incorporates the Leonardo altitudes, coming closer to the targets and for their respective S-100 and V-200
Gabbiano TS Ultra-Light multi-mode radar to allowing better identification. These, of unmanned helicopters. The companies
carry out day/night operations, as well as course, could be applicable to operations have been successful in selling their
an HD EO/IR camera and a beyond-line-of- on land, but as far as the sea is concerned, systems to naval operators, but they are
sight SATCOM link. it is a plus to be able to be more effective in being utilised in a civil guise as well,

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 AIRBORNE MARITIME OPERATIONS

The USN has just issued a task order to operate

Aerosonde from a ship for 32 months, but it
also offers benefits to the commercial market.
(Photo: Textron Systems)

and EMSA and €14 million ($16 million) framework deal.

under the terms Two V-200 systems will be provided to
of the deal, the Nordic Unmanned, which, along with its
areas of operation two partners, will then provide emission-
will be seas monitoring services to the EU member states.
surrounding the ‘We see that organisations are going to
EU. Upon request use service-based contracts using assets
by a user – be like ours, and this is going to increase
it the EU/a because instead of using manned
European Free helicopters or planes that are costly to
Trade Association operate and risky in some cases, the
member or an government agencies or blue light forces
EU body – the on the civilian side are definitely going to
service could be use more and more UAVs,’ commented
extended outside David Willems, business development
EU-adjacent director for UMS Skeldar.
sea basins. ‘I think for this type of situation we will
The ScanEagle’s experience with the USCG could be replicated by navies ‘There is a high procure more often, and we will see a
worldwide that want an at-sea UAV capability. (Photo: Insitu) demand for such tremendous increase in those activities in
services by the the future on the civilian side. We see with
EU members platforms that are robust like ours – that
having been on contract to carry out states and EU bodies,’ the representative offer a high level of capability and long
surveillance operations by the organisation. added. ‘The start of the operations will endurance – that there is a niche for these
The S-100 Camcopter has an endurance depend on external factors such as types of platforms, and we want to be a
of 6h operational flight time and a maximum obtaining the necessary flight permits, part of it,’ he continued.
range of 100km, according to Schiebel. It the time line of which cannot be foreseen UMS Skeldar is eyeing the high end of
carries an L3 Wescam MX-10 EO/IR payload, accurately. That being said, we expect to the civil market, which is accustomed to
an Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch start delivering services during the first operating manned aircraft, Willems noted.
sensor and an AIS receiver, and could be semester of 2019.’
called to carry out both shore- and vessel- UMS Skeldar, alongside partners Nordic Lessons at sea
based missions in the work with EMSA. Unmanned and Norut Northern Research While there is an uptake in interest in the
A company representative told Shephard Institute, was awarded the EMSA contract civil market, the naval arena is also key to
that this is the first contract between Schiebel to provide the V-200B Skeldar under a the company, which saw a notable success

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 AIRBORNE MARITIME OPERATIONS

in 2018 when it was selected by the German operators to carry out wide-area surveillance Willems noted, adding that ‘from this you
Navy to provide Skeldar for testing on board while also having the ability to track targets can definitely see that [the market] has
its K130 Braunschweig-class corvettes. of interest. Testing on board Skeldar is accelerated. This confirmed that navies
‘There is a big learning curve that is scheduled for the first half of 2019. really are mature enough to go and do it
happening with navies, through which they Willems explained that navies are looking and cement it, and what we have noticed
are really understanding the benefits of to complement manned assets with UAVs is that others we were talking to on an
using UAVs,’ Willems explained. ‘This has rather than replacing them. In doing so, informatics level have come back to us
been noticed for some time, but there was they benefit from additional capability but since and everything is accelerating. It was
a limitation in the payload capacity of some do not need to deploy costly platforms, like every navy was waiting for the first one
fixed-wing systems. which can instead be tasked for other to commit, figuratively speaking.’
‘There is a general consensus for navies missions. ‘They are becoming more He explained that one of the factors
to use UAVs to extend and project their educated and familiar with the concept limiting the introduction of such new
ISTAR capabilities using an unmanned of using unmanned platforms alongside equipment is the length of procurement
platform up to 50nm [93km] from the ship.’ manned assets,’ he added. cycles, so navies are exploring ways in
For this, naval services are requiring ‘typical By incorporating a rotary-wing UAV which capabilities can be brought into
payloads’ such as EO/IR and some form of instead of a fixed-wing one, there are service more rapidly, including via a
radar to allow them to undertake missions payload capacity benefits, Willems noted. services model. This could be via a leasing
that are based around the seas of a ship to ‘The limitations on fixed-wing UAVs are such or contractor-owned, contractor operated
carry out surveillance. that they cannot perform multiple missions (CO-CO) model, he said, both of which have
UMS Skeldar is also in the process of because of the gimbals, so aren’t multi- been used in the naval environment before.
integrating the Sentient Vision Systems mission, so to speak, and this is why rotary- ‘It is much faster than a typical
ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) wing UAVs are becoming quite popular procurement cycle, and it gives an
payload, ‘which is becoming an important among the navies.’ opportunity to the navies to try out
asset now in the naval world’, Willems noted. The contract with Germany has been technologies before procuring them or
The solution is an optical radar that allows beneficial for the naval market overall, deciding to continue with a service.’

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 AIRBORNE MARITIME OPERATIONS

the boat crews go out there, they see first-

hand what they’re walking into. There is no
surprise when they get there. They know
the situation before they get there. They
know what the vessel looks like. They know
how many people are on board and exactly
the situation they are going into.’
At present, the data feed from the UAV
goes straight to the small boats, and there
is potential for this to also be fed into the
helicopter in the future if required. ‘We do
have the capability to deliver to the
helicopter on our next contract, and that
may be a piece of it,’ Tremain noted. ‘We’ll
still negotiate that with the coast guard
when the contract is finalised, but it’s
already delivered real time to the small
boats, and back to the ship. That’s a key
piece because the intersection is the most
The ScanEagle has been used to interdict a number of drug smuggling attempts at sea. dangerous piece in the entire operation,
(Photo: Insitu) and allowing the ship to have eyes on target
through the entire evolution [means] they
Alongside Qinetiq Target Systems, UMS does do is augment manned aviation,’ are no longer in the dark as to what is
Skeldar is pitching for Royal Canadian Tremain explained. ‘It affords them the happening out there.’
Navy requirements, which Willems said ability to augment manned aviation, and Tremain explained that this provides the
will be a service-based model. affords them the ability to maximise USCG with data required to build a strong
their resources. court case against smugglers, for example.
Going wide ‘So, the UAS can conduct mundane This is due to the fact that there is video
Insitu, meanwhile, has been operating its patrols, saving flight hours for the air data with geolocation available for the
ScanEagle UAV in support of the USN for crew on board the ship. Then, once the whole mission because the ScanEagle sits
some years now, but has also expanded UAS detects the target and conducts and provides overwatch while personnel
its provision to the USCG, deploying on surveillance, they can utilise their manned are called in. He added that the biggest
National Security Cutter USCGC Stratton, aircraft to execute the mission accordingly. challenge that the coast guard faces is a
and winning a follow-on contract to provide What this has really done is allow the shortage of personnel, so augmenting this
it on more vessels in this class. coast guard to maximise their manned in any way is going to be beneficial.
‘We’ve been deployed on one National aviation assets.’ ScanEagle is operated by the service
Security Cutter for the past couple of years,’ Prior to using the UAV, the USCG would on a CO-CO basis, and while there were
Ron Tremain, business development receive intelligence on a target of interest plans to migrate to a government-owned,
executive for the USCG at Insitu, told . and deploy a small boat or helicopter to government-operated contract at some
The initial contract provision in June investigate further and apprehend the target point, the CO-CO model is working well,
2018 required Insitu to provide small UAS if need be. However, the ScanEagle has Tremain confirmed.
ISR services on board the entire NSC fleet, changed the operation in that the platform The new contract will see some differences
valued at approximately $117 million. can go ahead and carry out surveillance to the incumbent one, including the
However, the award was subsequently to spot a target, and then provide eyes-on introduction of additional technologies such
protested on consecutive occasions in surveillance while a manned asset is called as communications relay and other sensors
the second half of 2018 by programme in to seize the perpetrator(s). that will enhance the ISR capabilities.
competitors, although Insitu officials ‘They can conduct surveillance over a The USCG is a force larger than most
indicated to Shephard that the company long period of time, more than 12 hours, so navies worldwide, and the way in which it
is now free to pursue the integration of what that allows the coast guard to do is operates the ScanEagle is something that
the UAS onto USCG vessels. survey a target for long periods of time, and other services may seek to replicate. ‘Other
On board the one vessel on which the maybe wait until they stop to refuel or stop navies tend to follow how the US Coast
ScanEagle is operational, the UAV is used to sleep through the night, and catch them Guard does business, so this is a good fit
to augment patrols and add an extra at their most vulnerable state,’ Tremain for all international navies, I would say,’
surveillance asset to carry out missions said. ‘It creates a much safer operation Tremain added.
such as drug interdiction. ‘In no way does than in years past. The reason I say that is ‘Some of the other work that has been
it replace manned aviation, but what it because when the helicopter crews, when phenomenal out there has been our marine

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 AIRBORNE MARITIME OPERATIONS

environment work that we’ve been doing, the commercial market, which have kind On the military side, Textron announced
and search and rescue work that we’ve of been slow to materialise.’ in October 2018 that it had received a task
done. So, it’s not just a matter of drug During UNITAS, Aerosonde operated in order from the USN to deploy Aerosonde for
interdiction and transnational organised areas that had particularly high-density 32 months on board an Expeditionary Sea
crime, it’s really proven to benefit many shipping lanes, where the rules for Base-class vessel, believed to be USNS
missions in the maritime industry.’ operating in commercial airspace in and Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams.
around the ship are very regulated, so it ‘It’s a very exciting time for us,’ Phillips
A leap forward proved that the platform can operate within said, ‘I think it validates and confirms much
Textron’s Aerosonde UAV, meanwhile, these restrictions. of the effort and investment that we put
completed a deployment on board USS ‘A system this size can carry enough into the system to take it into the marine
Gunston Hall in the Caribbean in 2018 payload including synthetic aperture radar, environment. Like any ship, they want us
during the UNITAS exercises, which, which really is a leap ahead in maritime to be very mindful of footprint, and that’s
alongside the USN, included the navies capability because it provides a wide-area really where we’ve done a lot of work to
of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, surveillance capability to be able to carry make sure that we don’t alter the ship.
Ecuador and Peru. out search and rescue, for instance, or for When we go on, we roll on and we roll off
‘This is a bridge to where we see a workforce looking for obstructions in as if we were never there.’
opportunities in the future, not just within shipping lanes,’ Phillips explained. For ship-based operations, the whole
the various domestic and international Textron has integrated this onto system can fit into one container, from
navies but also commercially, as we can Aerosonde to provide a through-cloud which the solution is additionally operated.
get more exposure operating in that capability, so the platform is all-weather, ‘Our operators are in that container and
environment,’ David Philips, VP of small- and which, with the 16h endurance of the when we’re not flying, all of our equipment
medium-endurance UAS at Textron Systems, aircraft, benefits ship-launched operations. is in that container,’ he added. ‘So, we’re
told Shephard. ‘Exposure into those various ‘So, you can cover an extremely wide never really taking up more than that
international communities we believe is area 24/7 with just two aircraft,’ footprint of the equivalent of a 20ft
going to perhaps open more opportunities in Phillips explained. shipping container.’ ■

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 OPTICAL PAYLOADS

After evaluation and testing, both the

Australian and US DoD acquired FLIR’s
33g Black Hornet reconnaissance system.
(Photo: FLIR Systems)

INTELLIGENT
IMAGING
T While SWaP is still a major
here is currently a lingering sense In other words, there is an ingrained
from industry that the acceleration and tangible set of parameters from
of new technologies and platforms which industry works, and no matter driver in the development
across the UV landscape is largely catching how sophisticated future concepts promise of EO payloads, a new
military operators out. to be, they cannot defy physics or push
The basis of this narrative effectively boundaries in any dramatic fashion.
technological dawn is
points to countless capabilities being breaking, in which AI will
developed by commercial vendors and Getting it right form the foundation of
disruptors, with much of their invention Consider in-development experimenting
escaping the attention of procurement and testing with new EO UV sensor payloads, data-collection methods.
agencies because of inflexible acquisition which invariably look to deliver greater By Tim Martin
frameworks. It is a catch-22 scenario, SWaP packages while adding items such as
where customers or potential buyers are higher-definition video resolution or higher
always forced to play catch up. bandwidths to be passed to ground stations. UAVs. Two core areas of the project are
On the other side of the coin, much of A current collaboration between L3 split between what the NRL refers to as
what is being developed is unproven, and Technologies Sonoma EO division, California, ‘capability enhancement and ground
militaries can rightly claim that fielding and its US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) testing’, with the second part moving to
technology with questionable credentials partner is seeking to develop a wide-area flight testing exclusively.
will always be unfeasible. surveillance, high-performance sensor for At the point of award for the latest
Thankfully, for both industry and military USN/USMC Small Tactical Unmanned Air funding of the project, valued at $930,110
users, a happy medium seems to have been System (STUAS) aircraft. and made in October, the NRL issued a
found where optical payloads are concerned, Commonly known as the Tactical Infrared ‘Justification and Approval’ (J&A) document,
mainly owing to the fact that the Night Surveillance System (TNWAS) R&D which made specific reference to the
fundamentals of SWaP, vibration isolation programme, the major components of the contractor meeting ‘extremely tight size,
and stability issues are the foundations upon work consist of building, integrating and weight and power constraints of the navy/
which any new product development rests. flight-testing airborne sensors on small USMC STUAS aircraft’.

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 OPTICAL PAYLOADS

The MX-10 imaging and

targeting system uses a four-
axis active stabilisation system
with internal passive isolation.
(Photo: L3 Technologies)

Gary Like, TNWAS project manager at Customised configurations

L3 Sonoma, explained: ‘Size is a concern, It is this kind of high-level functionality,
weight is a concern – and how these affect alongside gimbal stabilisation and pointing
Size is a concern,
aircraft being tested. Balance, too, is software, that lies at the heart of the TNWAS weight is a
something we work out collaboratively with project. ‘We need customised solutions on concern – and how
NRL, and [we] really try to meet end-user the aircraft to be used along with our own
requirements for the system.’ techniques on the sensor side to improve these affect aircraft
According to the J&A, from a design performance,’ Like said. ‘It’s those types being tested.
perspective one of the main elements in of combinations and configurations that
delivering the sensor technology is a line-of- we are using for this programme, so we
sight (LOS) pointing mirror assembly that expect to be able to balance stability with
hosts three key components: a mounting capability requirements.’ the end of the second phase, dynamic input
structure; a mirror on bearings; and an The exact SWaP characteristics of the testing on the ground or driving tests will
electronics board, which effectively catches sensor are commercially sensitive and be trialled, with the inputs intended to
electronic inputs and then converts them are unable to be shared at this stage, be marginally different when moving
into signals. Once this process happens, but the main objective of developing a conditions are operational.
the signal is capable of driving ‘the motion sensor that would typically be deployed on All of what has been learned over
of the mirror itself’. a larger aircraft and have it successfully the course of the first and second
Perhaps the key insight to all of flown on a small UAV is expected to run phases will then be implemented during
this, however, is in what follows the throughout 2019. a third and final phase, although it is still
LOS pointing mirror assembly details: a ‘From a programme perspective, we are unknown at this point which size or weight
set of four stipulations that have to be trying to look at wide-area surveillance, but of aircraft will be used. Once all of that
observed in order for the apparatus to be I can’t go into the specifics other than to has been determined, tests will be
used effectively. say that the intention is to develop a large initiated, results verified and airborne
Three of the four rules refer to the creation amount of data over a sustained period of trends assessed.
of ‘appropriate electric signals’ and time,’ Like explained. ‘That data is based ‘The key for us is to accomplish a testing
positioning of the mirror. In one case, it has on information NRL process and that which requirement and prove the requirements
to be positioned ‘to the stow/latch position we provide. Really, we are working together under phase two and phase three,’ Like
for take-off and landing’, in another it is with the limitations of the aircraft to assess confirmed. ‘Once that’s completed in a
positioned for data gathering and then, finally, what it can do.’ year, it will then open up the question of
it is set up for calibration. ‘The position of this The project recently entered the second how and where the system can be placed.
mirror must be actively stabilised, particularly part of its testing and verification phase, Is everything working exactly how it should
in the case of data gathering, in order to with the initial period involving a ‘static be, and which aircraft will it be suited to?’
ensure proper line-of-sight stabilisation’, demonstration through the optical path’ The NRL declined to comment on the
the final stipulation dictates. without any dynamic inputs being used. At TNWAS programme to Shephard.

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 OPTICAL PAYLOADS

Released in April 2018, the TASE250 features LWIR and visible imaging solutions. (Photo: Collins Aerospace)

Ultimately, there’s which called for industry to produce a visual and audible signatures as well as
surveillance-based UAV and linked ground compatibility for day and night operations.
one problem in station equipment for troops. System intelligence has also been
all of this and that is Following a re-competed tender, FLIR included to make navigation robust, with
developments are all was awarded a $6.8 million contract for the operations possible in GPS and GPS-denied
Black Hornet with Australia in October 2017. environments. Temperatures ranging from
dependent on having ‘Black Hornet is an “as-you-need-it” -10°C to 40°C can also be withstood. Data
someone in control. surveillance sensor. If a soldier requires links are naturally encrypted and BLOS.
surveillance immediately, they can deploy Those manufacturers prioritising other
it, and with a thermal sensor they are market segments instead of the nano UV
also able to get a specific view of what sector include Israel-based Controp – a
Small but mighty they need,’ Adam DeAngelis, director of company largely focused on providing
Looking at the nano UV market, a niche for marketing for surveillance systems at the military customers with its STAMP short-
pocket-sized sensor systems seems to have OEM, told Shephard. and medium-range payload family, which
recently risen considerably, with devices ‘It’s not intended to be loitering in the sky has variants weighing from 300g to 3.5kg.
like FLIR’s Black Hornet 33g personal for hours. It’s to be used so each squad can The latest system, launched in July 2017,
reconnaissance system of particular appeal see the other side of a wall or the inside of is the 3.5kg T-Stamp-XR, which features
to military buyers. a building or if they need to see a 1-2km a high-definition day camera, a cooled
The Australian and US armies have both perimeter as they are doing ground thermal imaging camera and an optional
ordered the system, after each previously clearance or similar activities,’ he added. laser designator.
used it for test and evaluation purposes. Having assessed potential risks or Key to developing the payload was a
While the manufacturer has not disclosed obstacles once the Black Hornet has been demand from military operators to ‘see
the total number of units on order for either deployed, a soldier can pass on behind enemy lines’ and control wider
buyer, it has now delivered the Black Hornet co-ordinates to a land vehicle or friendly areas of interest, according to Nir Bar
to 30 countries globally, according to asset and have it then intervene beyond Natan, marketing director at Controp.
company figures. LOS (BLOS). EO/IR video and high- ‘Capabilities are changing all the time.
The US Army contract was signed in May definition still images can also be recorded The customer wants to see more,’ he
and is valued at $2.6 million. It falls under live and sent back to ground stations. explained. ‘The main motivation is to be
the Soldier Borne Sensor programme, Additionally, the system is said to offer low able to first identify the target better, and

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 OPTICAL PAYLOADS

for that we are moving to high-definition satisfy separate requirements for each one. do we apply that to target identification and
sensors. We are improving the thermal In a similar manner, DeAngelis also target recognition automatically? That’s
camera, and we’ve algorithms that we’re explained the clear demand platform OEMs where technology is going and really
developing to get better images.’ place on payload manufacturers when new that’s where it has to go because you’re
proposals are handed over. ‘Airbus, for overloading people with systems at the
Building relationships example, has a tight set of requirements moment,’ he explained.
Similar to other major payload developers, relating to testing and rigidity. If we just In a similar vein, Bar Natan suggested
maximising business potential is closely develop for the end-user then we would that greater automation in the future will
tied to relationships with UAV platform never think about that. We take a very assist with improving intelligence functions
manufacturers. Satisfying an OEM in this careful approach,’ he said. for military operators, where several tactical
context will ultimately pay dividends when Assessing the direction of sensor payload UAVs could eventually work together to
an aircraft is being put forward for an technology and how industry can shift locate a target and ‘attack it automatically’.
acquisition programme, meaning that each away from improvements beyond better Certainly, this type of approach has
sensor designer is actively consulting with resolutions and higher bandwidths, he already been well established by virtue of a
a host of OEMs in order to make sure they foresees a point in time where human leading US DoD UAV programme – Project
are in with the best chance of success. interactions between sensor operations are Maven – originally introduced in July 2017 to
While the developers themselves are cut entirely. ‘Ultimately there’s one problem collate vast amounts of video footage from
unlikely to discuss rates of failure in all of this and that is developments are unmanned platforms using AI technology
pertaining to new product development, it all dependent on having someone in and subsequently have analysts pinpoint
is highly probable that behind the scenes, control,’ DeAngelis said. targets of note through image analysis.
platform manufacturers are turning away ‘The change will come from the ability ‘The commercial space is so much
items that do not meet requirements. to make ten hours of video and highlight bigger than the DoD space [where AI is
Bar Natan said that Controp, at a rough everything [that is relevant] immediately, concerned]. The demand for AI machine
estimate, is currently working with ‘more take the high-definition feed and find learning is so much greater that it actually
than’ ten OEMs, presumably having to then exactly what we want autonomously. How makes more sense to tap into what’s

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 OPTICAL PAYLOADS

Controp’s T-Stamp-XR sits on board the

STUAS Orbiter 3. (Photo: Controp)

to work on the US Special Operations

Command’s Mid-Endurance Unmanned
Aircraft Systems III programme.
The company said in a statement that it
would be working as a subcontractor with
two companies (both undisclosed) to
‘support task orders’ on the project, with
the TASE400 LRS (Long Range Spotter)
and TASE400 DXR (Extended Range
Daylight) imaging systems being provided
for ISR purposes.
The solutions are mainly expected to
gather ‘full-motion video’ through the use
of ‘various wavelengths of energy sensors’,
though there is no mention made of which
platform they will be deployed on, nor is the
The TASE400 flies on board the unmanned, fixed-wing Arcturus Jump 20 aircraft. name of the prime platform contractor given.
(Photo: Collins Aerospace)
In terms of functionality, the DXR has a
high-definition EO capability, with GPS/INS
already there,’ David Anderson, director it. ‘Scanned video was being fed through onboard video processing, accordingly to
of advanced payloads at Insitu, said. the Maven systems within only a few company literature.
Naturally then, the success of such months of them [US DoD] starting that ‘Reflective of emerging customer
ambitions will be tied to the quality of effort,’ he said. It’s really a matter, I think requirements, we will soon be offering a
images provided by optical payloads. [now], of the procurement path more than TASE 400 with a laser designator,’ Todd
However, the programme has not been the [feasibility of] technology.’ Newton, director of business development
without its hiccups. Google’s AI systems had Nevertheless, as the programme at Collins Aerospace, told Shephard. ‘We
been the backbone of information gathering, progresses, industry appears to be are currently producing some low-rate
before employees from the tech giant filed particularly aware of separate intelligence- initial-production units and will be
a protest to stop the company from further based requirements and is responding to upgrading to a new variant next year, which
participation on ethical grounds. demand in that area accordingly. will take advantage of the upgraded MWIR
Anderson admitted, however, that such system and upgraded EO system that we
is the commitment of the DoD to the Responding to need offer at present.’
programme and its associated value to In May, for example, Collins Aerospace There has been a shift, in Newton’s view,
bolstering defence requirements, that the (formerly UTC Aerospace Systems), from military operators engaging in counter-
organisation is highly likely to continue with announced that it had been selected insurgencies and so-called small wars,

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 OPTICAL PAYLOADS

where data collection and ‘understanding for Group 1 (up to 9kg) and Group 2
all the pivot points of your enemy’ were key, (9.5-25kg) UAV markets. The product
Reflective of
to a focus on peer-to-peer conflicts, where features LWIR and visible imaging solutions,
data collection is even more important according to the company, and is marketed emerging customer
because of the prevalence and capabilities as giving operators better situational requirements, we will soon
of enemy UAVs. awareness in day and night conditions.
‘You have enemy air anti-aircraft units Additionally, the system offers an all-digital be offering a TASE400 with
that are scattered throughout your area imaging chain for maximised processing a laser designator.
of operations, where you simply didn’t capability and an optimised lens design for
have that level of penetration that you enhanced object recognition.
did before with counter-insurgencies,’ he
said. ‘That requires a lot more [video and Staying in control While the principles of SWaP still apply
data] coverage.’ Overall, there is a growing consenus to product development, there is a definite
Again, the ability to have access to from industry that military customers are sense that a wider technological change
sophisticated intelligence, as well as to primarily focused on acquiring optical will soon be at play, where the relationship
monitor and react to developments as payloads that can add help them assess between imaging systems will come to be
quickly as possible, is seen as the primary and control areas of interest through defined by a level of autonomy that has so
driver of using EO/IR systems to stay ahead intelligence gathering and data processing. far escaped manufacturers and engineers.
of hostile actors. ‘Whether it’s flying The partnerships between UAV OEMs and This way of thinking imagines a new
something that’s 1,000ft in the air or from sensor developers remains one of the most battlespace, where AI techniques sit
1,000-10,000ft and up, we have the crucial elements of delivering new products as the bedrock of target identification
technology to own that whole ISR space,’ to end users, while opportunities for strategies, pulling together unmanned
Newton added. airborne tests and trials between military video footage and making a growing
Collins Aerospace also released its research arms and industry partners help number of assessments without
TASE250 optical payload in April, designed to flesh out future requirements. human input. ■

www.dst.se
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 INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION

Infrastructure inspection by unmanned

systems offers a range of benefits
compared to manned operations.
(Photo: Shephard picture library)

The UK has been making a

concerted effort to determine
how best to integrate unmanned
systems into its airspace in
recent months, with government
consultations and burgeoning
business pointing the way towards
a sustainable future for all
concerned. By Richard Thomas

UNDER SCRUTINY
A
lthough much progress has been measures ‘are intended to ensure drones national infrastructure and the introduction
made in developing a framework are being used safely’ in a market that of a minimum-age limit for owners.
that allows work involving UAVs to is expected to grow rapidly over the The UK Aviation Minister, Baroness
flourish, recent instances of negative press next decade. Elizabeth Sugg, stated that the government
focusing on rogue drone operations and Studies regularly suggest that growth of had already introduced a range of
incursions into controlled airspace have put the civil and commercial drone sectors will legislation to manage instances of drone
the pressure back on operators, big and rocket in coming years, although many of misuse, such as a maximum flight ceiling,
small. As a result, public perception is at these use cases are still dependent on with the consultation now being used to
risk of turning against the technology and technological developments to ensure determine additional measures.
the innovation it promises. effective BVLOS flight and regulatory Detailing current benefits of civil and
framework to enable businesses to flourish. commercial drone use in the UK, Sugg said
Consultation process Globally, countries are pursuing a variety that unmanned inspections at Hinkley Point
In July 2018, the UK government initiated a of different legislative avenues in order to C nuclear power station brought a 50% cost
consultation process to prevent the misuse create a workable framework to allow the reduction compared to using manned
of drones, with deterrents such as the safe operation of unmanned systems for aircraft. Similar savings were found for
issuance of on-the-spot fines for offenders civil, commercial or hobbyist use. However, drone inspections of wind turbines.
and allowing security forces to seize difficulties persist in determining how ‘Drones are already being used for a
platforms if necessary. While infrastructure integrated the airspace should be, myriad of exciting applications, from
inspection businesses are unlikely to be particularly for BVLOS flights, and whether inspecting national infrastructure like
the target of sanctions, this all points to a restrictions should be introduced as to who railways and power stations to aiding
debate taking place about how unmanned can legally operate such systems. disaster relief by speeding up the delivery
operations will better integrate the Among the proposed measures to of blood,’ she said. ‘The industry has the
structures that currently exist to regulate counter misuse of drones in public potential to be worth billions to the UK
manned flight. spaces are the ability for UK police to issue economy so it is vital that it develops with a
Launching the consultation on 26 July penalty notices, the use of counter-UAS strong framework to encourage innovation
2018, the government stated that any new technologies to protect public events and and growth while keeping people safe.’

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 INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION

The consultation, which was published on Hunkin instead called for a ‘measured detect when repairs are needed, and
7 January 2019, had over 5,000 public response’, asserting that the incident drones for oil pipeline monitoring.
responses, the vast majority being given highlighted the need for more meaningful Science Minister Chris Skidmore said:
before the recent drone incidents over planning surrounding the protection of ‘From deploying robots in our pipe network
Gatwick and Heathrow airports. critical national infrastructure such as and so cutting down traffic delays, to using
Announcing the publication of the airports, power stations and key buildings. robots in workplaces to keep people safer,
consultation, Chris Grayling, the UK’s this new technology could change the world
Minister for Transport, said that the New initiatives we live in for the better. We have put
responses ‘underlined the importance of In December 2018, the UK announced research and development at the heart of
balancing the UK’s world-leading position £26.6 million ($35 million) investment to our modern Industrial Strategy, with the
in aviation safety and security with build ‘micro robots’ to aid the inspection biggest boost to funding in UK history to
supporting the development of this and repair of the country’s underground create high-skill jobs and boost productivity
emerging industry.’ pipe network, with prevention of major across the country.’
Furthermore, Grayling said that drones problems stated as one of the key benefits. Also commenting on the investment,
were ‘at the forefront of these technological The platforms, aerial and seaborne, will UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) chief
advances’ and were already used in the UK inspect and maintain oil and gas pressure executive Sir Mark Walport said: ‘The
‘to great effect’ by first responders, the oil vessels and offshore wind turbines. projects announced today demonstrate
and gas market and ‘many other sectors’ Scientists from four UK universities ‘will how robots and artificial intelligence will
such as package delivery and construction. use £7 million government investment to revolutionise the way we carry out complex
From November 2019, all drone operators develop 1cm-long robotic devices that use and dangerous tasks, from maintaining
and pilots must join a register and complete sensors and navigation systems to find offshore wind farms to decommissioning
a competency test in a bid to better regulate and mend cracks in pipes’, according to nuclear power facilities. They also illustrate
the sector and improve standards. a UK government statement. The traffic the leading role that the UK’s innovators
Speaking to Shephard following the closures and disruption to businesses are playing in developing these new
Gatwick drone incident in December 2018, of these roadworks is estimated to technologies, which will improve safety and
David Hunkin, head of new markets at UAS amount to more than £5 billion,’ the boost productivity and efficiency.’
platform and operations management announcement reads. Health and Safety Executive chair, Martin
provider Centrik, cautioned against any A further 14 projects backed by £19.6 Temple, added: ‘As a regulator, we want
‘knee-jerk’ reaction and said that the UK million government investment, through the to encourage industry to think about how
‘had some of the most mature’ legislation Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), technologies such as robotics and AI can
in the world governing the use of sUAS. will see unmanned systems sent to be used to manage risk in the workplace,
‘At the end of the day, drones are a hazardous work places such as offshore safeguarding workers both now and in the
force for good; in the right hands they are wind-farms future world of work.
amazing pieces of equipment. [However] and nuclear decommissioning facilities. Earlier in 2018, the ISCF robotics
just like cars or kitchen knives, they can Researchers will test new technologies, challenge saw the beginning of a £93
cause chaos,’ he said. such as the use of AI on satellites in orbit to million, four-year programme that will
develop unmanned technology to perform
the dull, dirty and dangerous work that is
The UK’s Network Rail regularly uses unmanned systems to survey damage to tracks. becoming its raison d’etre. According to
(Photo: Network Rail) government literature, the challenge will
develop solutions to make a safer working
environment in industries such as offshore
energy, nuclear energy, space and
deep mining.
Innovate UK, part of UKRI, funded
some of the projects through a new
scheme called the Innovation Lab – a
one-week residential workshop where
robotics researchers and businesses
joined forces to create innovative
project proposals.

The RACHEL
In January 2019, it was also announced
that a project to develop a hydrogen-fuel-
cell-powered, multi-rotor UAV had beaten

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 INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION

emergency response, and transport and

logistics sectors over the next decade.
‘To enable the UK to maintain a pre-
eminent position in this space, there is a
need for a focused initiative to generate a
safe operating environment with reduced
barriers to entry.’
In August, it was announced that the
UK’s Network Rail Infrastructure is seeking
UAS services to complete general
infrastructure inspections and surveys
across England. The contract, divided into
three lots, is valued at $8.86 million and
would include UAV pilot training as well as
maintenance and repair over 36 months.
Lot one details the need for 12 suppliers
to provide coverage as follows: four
Specialist equipment and training is required to conduct inspection flights, with regulations likely
suppliers for the north; four for the
to tighten further. (Photo: Network Rail)
midlands; and four for the south. The UAS
as a service will carry out the inspection
its original test flight target of 60min with a up new opportunities for commercial of structures, canopies and overhead line
5kg payload. UAV operators. equipment. It will also undertake bridge
Project RACHEL, also supported by ‘Operators need longer flight times than surveys and be ready for incident condition
Innovate UK, is led by venture engineering can be delivered with batteries, and are inspection. Lot two is for the maintenance
company Productiv on behalf of the UK’s therefore seeking alternative power sources and repair buy or hire options while lot
UAV filming specialists BATCAM. The UAV with higher power density. Hydrogen power three is for the training.
is powered by fuel cells from Intelligent has huge potential here, and we anticipate a The contract notice states that tenders
Energy, whose team have significant significant growth in the market for hydrogen- may be submitted for all lots. After the
expertise and a proven track record in powered UAVs in the next few years.’ 36 months, the contract is not subject to
producing some of the world’s lightest and renewal. The deadline for submission was
most power-dense fuel cell stacks for Major impact 13 September 2018.
commercial UAVs. In January 2019, it was revealed that Network Rail has already trialled and
The Lithium-Polymer-battery-powered Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) will lead even implemented the use of drones as
UAVs flown by BATCAM allow around 12min the UK Department for Transport’s new a means to inspect infrastructure. The
of usable flight. The recent test of the R&D project that will lay the ground work for company says that its engineers use UAVs
purpose-built, fuel-cell-powered UAV saw it a safe working environment for commercial to check the railway ahead of repairs.
fly for an uninterrupted 70min carrying a UAS use in the UK.
5kg payload. The new project aims to explore a future Aerial roadmap
The project will complete early in UTM framework that will help the operators Among the risk of bubbles and rough
2019, with BATCAM carrying out real-world to participate in the proper use and control waves of an emerging market, unmanned
end-user trials. Successful completion of airspace, in order to enable the safe inspection of infrastructure and industrial
of the project will bring major benefits sharing of airspace of manned aviation and sites is one of the most stable, clearly
for those involved in commercial UAV BVLOS operations of UAS. demonstrating a solid business case and
usage, in sectors such as mining, For the project, the TSC will collaborate foundation upon which to build.
agriculture, surveying and monitoring, with Altitude Angel, ANRA Technologies, However, there remains a risk that the
security and emergency services. Cranfield University, NATS, Satellite perception of the technology could prevent
Many of these areas will require UAS Applications Catapult and Thales UK to governments such as the UK’s from
inspection services. develop the requirements and validation providing the right conditions in which to
Intelligent Energy has completed the methods for a UTM framework. The outputs promote entrepreneurialism, stifling a
integration work and BATCAM has advised from the project will be made public via a capability that offers better value for money
on design requirements and project targets white paper. to the customer. With analytical tools,
and piloted the test flights. Mark Westwood, chief technology officer platforms and unmanned systems
In a released statement, Jonathan Reed of the TSC, said: ‘There is industry-wide advancing all the time, the inspection
of Productiv commented: ‘The effectiveness consensus that drone technology will be business finds itself ready to take the next
of UAVs is limited by their flight time and impactful, disrupting the remote sensing, step, should the people and the
payload capacity. This innovation opens infrastructure inspection, surveillance, parliamentarians permit. ■

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 Phoenix LiDAR

RAI AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM
THE NETHERLANDS
8-10 APRIL 2019
Mon 8 April:
Pre-Conference & Workshop Programming
13:00 – 18:00 (No Exhibits)
Tues 9 April & Wed 10 April:
Conference Programming & Exhibits

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Commercial UAV Keynote: Global Industry Koen de Vos

Expo Europe is focused Update and European European Commission

on commercial UAS
Market Outlook for 2019 Lorenzo Murzilli
integration and operation
and attracts a global and Beyond Federal Office of Aviation, (Switzerland)

audience of drone Plenaries: Vertical Industry End-User

professionals. With • Smart Cities & Urban Mobility Sessions: Roundtables*:
top-notch education, • Disruptive UAV Technologies • Energy & Utilities • Construction and Aggregates
and Resulting Industry
unparalleled networking Opportunities
• Public Safety & Security • Energy and Utilities
• Surveying & Mapping • Transportation and
and an exhibit floor of • Safety, Security and Counter
• Precision Agriculture & Forestry Infrastructure
best in class drones and Drone Technology
• Construction & Aggregates • Precision Agriculture
and Forestry
systems, it’s the one • Energy & Utilities
*by invitation only
event on the calendar Speakers include:
that shouldn’t be missed. • Vassilis Agouridas,
Airbus (France)
• Thomas Groninger,
Strabag (Germany)
• Jan Leyssens, Airobot
(Belgium)
• Kevin O’Donovan,
Technology Evangelist
• Maria Varela, Smaare
Consulting (Portugal)
• Philip Butterworth- • John Haar, eSmart • Manu Lubrano, INVOLI (France) • Flavien Viguier,
Hayes, Unmanned Systems (Denmark) (Switzerland) • Christoph Raab, Altimetris/SNCF
Airspace (UK) • Wolfram Hardt, • Peter Lyck Ingerslev, Drone Alliance Europe (France)
Drone • Rob Canterbury, Chemnitz University of Energinet (Denmark) (Germany) • Gretchen West,
NXP Semiconductors Technology (Germany) • William Metz, Precision • Luis Santiago Moratinos Commercial Drone
Hero (Netherlands) • Marc Kegelaers, Unifly Vine (Switzerland) Siles, Ferrovial (Spain) Alliance (USA)
Contest • Koen de Vos, European (Belgium) • Cyril Mugglin, Swisscom • Ralph Schepp, Deutsche • Dave Wright, Scottish
Commission (Belgium) • Fiona Lake, Ag (Switzerland) Telecom (Germany) Mountain Rescue (UK)
• Paul Doherty, the digit Specialist (Australia) • Lorenzo Murzilli, Federal • Stefan Thamke, TeAx
group (USA) • Andreas Lamprecht, Office of Aviation Technology (Germany)
• Lisa Ellman, Commercial AirMap (Germany) (Switzerland) • Michael Thoss, ethoss
[email protected] Drone Alliance (USA) • Jeroen Leusink, Het • Tom Nash, Scottish group (Germany)
• Inigo Ezquerra, Altran Waterschapshuis Mountain Rescue (UK) • Knut Torbjørn Moe, UAS
Produced by Diversified Communications (Spain) (Netherlands) Norway (Norway)

THE COMMERCIAL UAV EVENT FOR:

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UV-01-19_p27_Comm_UAV_Europe.indd 27 1 12/19/18
1/31/2019 1:24
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 THROWABLE UGVS

While unmanned systems

on air, land and sea have
advanced enormously over
the last two decades in a
myriad of ways, the use of
such systems in military
applications has mostly
been restricted to airborne
ISR and strike roles,
typically at the strategic
or operational level.
By Rory Jackson

The FirstLook UGV is designed to

withstand drops of up to 4.9m.
(Photo: Endeavour Robotics)

THROWING PUNCHES
D
own at ground level, UGVs have the warfighter to rapidly gather it stairwells from several metres away,
been largely limited to EOD wherever needed. and rolling or shaking afterwards before
applications, for neutralising IEDs In addition, technologies such as achieving balance, while being small and
and similar stationary threats. The idea of processors, IMUs, batteries, antennas and light enough to be carried in a soldier’s
using unmanned vehicles in tactical ground cameras had been scaled down several backpack. They must also be able to
operations presents problems. The first times over in terms of their size and record and transmit significant quantities
is linked to how well autonomy can be weight, enabling soldiers to carry far more of video and audio data to controllers
developed to provide the rapid reactions equipment than ever before without being in environments rich with concrete
needed in dangerous combat scenarios, overly encumbered. and metal.
while the second is to do with soldiers These factors have contributed to calls While a few systems have been designed
potentially being at risk when distracted by from defence departments for carryable, as throwable stationary remote-controlled
a portable GCS. throwable intelligence robots that would camera gimbals, the necessity for mobile
In the air, between 2000 and 2010, enable military and security forces to survey urban reconnaissance in confined spaces
unmanned systems had proven their confined environments for potential hostile and at short notice has resulted in the
worth for critical intelligence requirements, agents before entering themselves. development of a small number of UGVs
contributing greatly to the emphasis Such robots must be ruggedised to fitting the qualities above, to assist the
on actionable intelligence and aiding withstand the shock of hitting walls and military, SF and police in minimising the

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 THROWABLE UGVS

To ensure the wheels could serve

ECA Group’s Cobra MK2 E is effectively as the IRIS’s primary shock
typically equipped with a water absorbers – extending 2cm outward from the
disruptor for destroying explosives
and a video camera for aiming.
ruggedised chassis – early testing and
(Photo: ECA Group) development depended on a range of factors.
Multiple designs and iterations were
considered before settling on the soft
honeycomb shape. The company had to strike
a balance between softening the wheels to
mitigate vibration and improve picture quality
and hardening them to improve handling on
rough terrain such as rubble and gravel.
Additionally, 3D additive printing was
used to prototype the iterations of the wheels
quickly and accurately. When moving to scale
production of the UGV, however, the company
switched to more cost-effective injection
moulding, with a proprietary rubber used in
the construction material of the wheels.
risk to personnel and maximising communications, we can send the The IRIS also comes equipped with IR
tactical awareness. IRIS in just far enough to re-establish lights and laser pointers, as well as audio
communications to the larger UGV so we capabilities to hear sounds that the system
Intelligent thinking can continue the mission,’ Ward explained. picks up. Ethernet and RS232 generic
The Individual Robotic Intelligence System In addition to acting as a mobile connectors are provided on the top of
(IRIS) robot from US-based Roboteam is a communications relay, the IRIS is designed the system to integrate payloads upon
four-wheeled UGV weighing 1.85kg and with ‘dual side operation’ in that no matter user request.
measuring 23 x 20 x 11cm. The system which side the UGV lands on having been
moves at a top speed of 5km/h and can thrown, or how it may flip or roll during Snake in the grass
operate up to 200m away from its operations on slopes or bumpy terrain, The Cobra MK2 UGV, from French industry
operator, while maintaining its digitally the controls and EO video camera will and security conglomerate ECA Group, was
encrypted RF link. automatically invert 180° to simplify the developed over the course of approximately
‘The IRIS was in development for roughly operator’s orientation and field of vision. two years in response to requests for
one year before the first version was fielded,’ ‘We also use a removable, rechargeable a man-portable robot and additional
said Roboteam technical sales manager battery, allowing users to swap batteries and requirements for a device that could
Shane Ward. ‘It has gone through several continue using the system without the whole operate after being dropped or thrown from
revisions since then, but we like to get the system having to charge,’ Ward added. an armoured personnel carrier (APC).
first systems into the hands of the users Roboteam engaged in significant testing ‘The soldiers operating robotic vehicles
quickly, so as to use their feedback to iterate in order to develop the degree of strength for reconnaissance-gathering had been
and improve the UGV for future versions. required to ensure survivability when found by analysts to be vulnerable to
The development was started based on the thrown or dropped, while keeping the snipers and IEDs for a very specific, short
information that the military, on a larger system lightweight and low-cost. window of time – when stepping out of the
scale, was looking to get small, rugged and ‘You can see we went with the soft APC to deploy their robot,’ said Jorge White,
quickly deployable robots into the hands of honeycomb wheel design, to help absorb UGV sales manager at ECA Group. ‘This
front units down to the squad level.’ impact on throws, and we all use injection also put the operator at risk of setting off
In addition to use by defence forces in moulding for the shell to help improve the an anti-personnel mine, so it was critical
urban warfare, IRIS is designed to provide strength, but communications are the biggest that we eliminate the need to physically exit
tactical ISR information to SWAT teams and issue for small, throwable UGVs. You have to the APC to place this kind of robot. Amongst
police in public safety operations, as well use small radio modules and antennas, which all the components and systems being
as for use in subterranean and culvert affects your range,’ Ward noted. selected and ruggedised, finding wheels
inspections, the last of which has been ‘Importantly, throwable UGVs are used to that could absorb the impact was perhaps
subject to recent heavy tests by the company. clear short distances – around corners or the most important objective during
‘We outfit the system with mesh two or three rooms in a building – and after development of this system.’
communications to relay with our larger those are clear, you can move forward a little To date, the Cobra MK2 has seen use
systems to help extend the range. In these to help with communications. Another option within the French Army and has been
situations, when the larger system goes is to go with mesh radios to help extend the deployed in Afghanistan, Benin and Mali.
in the cave or tunnel system and we lose range. However, that will impact price.’ Most recently, a new contract was

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 THROWABLE UGVS

awarded to ECA Group by the Thai Armed contamination control device for detecting pressure unlikely to set off any IED. As the
Forces through the company’s regional
partner Apple Scientific to supply several
chemical agents in the form of vapour,
aerosols and dust. It can also use a Dräger
robot is modular, payloads can be easily
changed to adapt to new types of missions.’
STOCKH
units of the Cobra MK2 E UGV. The deal X-am 7000 for detecting toxins, oxygen and
was announced in September 2018 other combustible gases and vapours, and Valiant endeavour THREE EVENT
following the successful delivery of two certain radiological detector modules. The development of the FirstLook UGV from
Cobra MK2 Es in the first half of the year. ‘Of all the payloads that the Cobra MK2 Endeavour Robotics began in 2008, under
The threat of IEDs and the need for and its variants can integrate, the chemical DARPA’s LANdroids programme, which
flexible, rapid-response EOD operational sensor was the toughest to select, as brought forward the goal of demonstrating
capabilities around military bases and vital developing an interface between this complex concepts for a small, mobile tactical radio
installations was cited by the company as sensor type and the operator’s command and relay platform which could improve
critical to the selection of the Cobra MK2 E, control unit was key,’ White added. communications in non-light-of-sight
as it is a variant of the UGV missions and environments.
specifically designed for The LANdroids platform had
such operations. to be designed small enough
The Cobra MK2 E is for an individual to carry,
designed to operate using rugged enough to be thrown
a range of water disruptor or dropped and able to
cannons for safely integrate cameras to facilitate
launching a jet of water or situational awareness.
a water-projectile shaped ‘The [US] Army later issued
charge to break apart an urgent needs statement for
explosive devices, while a small, throwable UGV capable
operators observe from of basic reconnaissance and
a distance or within an deploying a counter-charge,
armoured vehicle using which stemmed from
the video camera atop the counter-IED needs arising
cannon. The projectile hits from military operations in Iraq
the target device at high and Afghanistan,’ said David
speed to cut off the Viens, director of business
explosive from the development at Endeavour
ECA’s Cobra MK2 was originally designed to prevent soldiers from needing to
triggering mechanism Robotics. ‘The first units of
leave their armoured vehicle to deploy a mission UGV. (Photo: ECA Group)
before the latter FirstLook were fielded in
component can activate early 2011.
the former’s detonation, and before any The handheld ruggedised C2 unit ‘It’s tough to identify specific fence posts
fuses or anti-tampering mechanisms integrates a 7in touchscreen interface with as to when development of FirstLook started 13-
can react. 1,074x7,68 resolution and a three-axis and finished, as we’re constantly improving Sto
Though typically configured with four joystick, weighing just under 2kg. the platform and expanding capabilities
wheels for motion, the MK2 E can also be All three variants of the Cobra MK2 weigh based on feedback from our end-user
equipped with tracks for better weight and approximately 6.1kg when empty, up to a communities. Some of
grip to withstand the recoil from firing maximum of 13.1kg with payloads and our most recent developments include
larger disruptors. batteries, and are rated to be safely integrating the MPU5 radio by Persistent
In addition to the Cobra MK2 E UGV, dropped from a height of 1m. The operating Systems, as well as various CBRN sensors,
two other variants of the throwable ground range can extend up to 250m, with a top and [exploring] a means of deploying the JOIN US IN MAY 2
vehicle are offered by the company. The speed of 6km/h, maximum endurance of FirstLook from a UAV platform.’
Cobra Mk2 I comes with a mounted EO 2h 30min, and GPS and inertial sensors This UAV deployment solution concept Stockholm will host
camera gimbal for acquiring real-time visual (including an inclinometer for measuring was demonstrated at the SOFWERX 13-16 May. These ma
intelligence or recording videos and photos incline) for navigation and localisation. If ThunderDrone event in late 2017, in undersea defence co
for post-processing. This two-axis gimbal additional range is needed, a 1km fibre- partnership with UAV and base station explore the synergie
(pan and tilt) integrates one forward-facing optic cable can be run from the UGV to manufacturer Asylon. The solution was
camera and one facing the rear for the operator. aimed at showing that an octocopter could The benefits to our a
bidirectional awareness, with LED lights ‘Cobra MK2 can be dropped on any side, swiftly carry the FirstLook to a target drop- the opportunity to
for darker environments such as pipes or way up or way down; the UGV lands properly zone atop a three-storey building, release it & partnerships and
poorly-lit corridors. and performs the mission,’ added White. ‘It (in an adaptor case if necessitated by the
For chemical and radiological threats, the can be directed to perform reconnaissance drop distance) and quickly depart to avoid
Cobra MK2 C can integrate an AP4C chemical of an area quickly and with a low ground potential harm due to its visibility.

30 UNMANNED VEHICLES FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 WWW.UVONLINE.COM FOR MORE

UV-01-19_p28-32_Throwable UGVs.indd 30 31/01/2019 14:11:15

 STOCKHOLM 2019
THREE EVENTS | ONE LOCATION DEFENCE & SECURITY

14-16 May 2019

Stockholmsmässan, Sweden

13-15 May 2019 13-15 May 2019

Stockholmsmässan, Sweden Stockholmsmässan, Sweden

JOIN US IN MAY 2019 FOR THREE LEADING DEFENCE & SECURITY EVENTS UNDER ONE ROOF
Stockholm will host AOC Electronic Warfare (EW) Europe, ITEC and Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) between
13-16 May. These market-leading events within the electronic warfare, technology, training and simulation and
undersea defence communities will all sit under one roof whilst retaining their individual identities in order to
explore the synergies that co-locating them offers.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.CLARION-DEFENCE.COM/STOCKHOLM2019

UV-01-19_p28-32_Throwable UGVs.indd 31 31/01/2019 14:11:16

 THROWABLE UGVS

amongst other missions, for emergency

responders and security teams.
For safety and awareness with all
potential operators, the robot comes
equipped at a basic level with four cameras
for 360° situational intelligence and one-
way audio to allow the operator to hear
what is happening around the UGV.
Ward added: ‘Examples of other payloads
we have integrated through the UGV’s two
expansion ports – in addition to the small
arm manipulator – include a device [via
which] we can drop a counter charge called
the “Integrated Deployment and Camera
Assembly”, a long-wave IR camera, a
Carbon Fire 10 disruptor and various CBRN
sensors. Other payloads can be integrated
based on the customer’s needs.’
With the integration of the MPU5 3x3 MIMO radio, the FirstLook UGV from Endeavour Robotics can The small arm manipulator was attached
serve as a mesh radio node to extend the range of other UGVs in urban environments. and used in a recent test operation of
(Photo: Endeavour Robotics) the UGV, during which soldiers used the
solution to systematically clear a booby-
The UAV could then return to the base overcome vertical obstacles such as curbs trapped, debris-filled structure. In the
station, have a new battery swapped-in and steps up to 18cm high. ‘This would course of the exercise, the soldiers used
if necessary, and the base station could immobilise other wheel-based systems. Our the FirstLook and its arm to pull back a
also house and install a second FirstLook feeling is why carry a robot into combat if it carpet and expose a pressure plate IED,
UGV into the multicopter’s carrying cannot move due to common battlefield without exposing themselves to harm.
mechanism, for rapid delivery to the next debris?’ Viens noted. FirstLook UGVs are fielded with Endeavor
urban ISR target. To engineer the UGV to be throwable, the Robotics’s uPoint Multi-Robot Controller,
The integration of the MPU5 3x3 company focused on achieving a synergistic a touchscreen tablet device with an app
MIMO radio enhances the benefits of the balance between designing a rigid core for embedded for driving the vehicle. This
FirstLook UGV to the warfighter by enabling protecting the internal electronics and a allows users to select among the four main
its usability as a mobile mesh radio relay flexible, impact-resistant shell made for camera views, operate their additional
or repeater to extend its range in complex absorbing the potentially severe shock loads payloads and control other Endeavour
environments such as caves or dense sustained upon being thrown or dropped. robotic platforms. An observer capability
urban areas. Alternatively, it can be used Accounting for the logistics of damage is also provided, in which a secondary
to extend the range of other unmanned and modularity was also critical, and so operator can take a form of passive control
vehicles. In particular, it provides extended despite the system being tested and of a UGV to observe what the primary
line-of-site operating range to over 600m, matured to withstand multiple throws, the operator is doing, for training, analysis,
allowing farther stand-off from potential high-impact parts of the FirstLookUGV have mission support or other purposes.
threats from other than similar systems. been designed to be easily replaced by
operators in the field. Constant motion
All about synergy The FirstLook UGV has a mission As technology advances, electronics,
The UGV is engineered with key qualities endurance of up to 6h, depending on the sensors, processors and data links will
aimed at flexibility in operations. The intensity of use, with the system’s speed inevitably become smaller and more
FirstLook chassis is expandable to enable the running up to 4.3km/h and variable speed powerful. While the range, speed and
integration of additional payloads for multi- selection to enable more intuitive control endurance of throwable UGVs may seem
mission capability. In addition to its four by the operator when slow and subtle constrained compared to larger UGVs,
wheels, the system has tracks fitted to manoeuvres are more desirable than Moore’s Law means that their capabilities
improve traction and clearance of obstacles top speeds. will doubtlessly enhance over time.
and rough terrain, as well as potentially With a typical weight of 3kg including With internal systems taking up less
reducing ground impact, which may reduce batteries, the system can be dropped up space, throwable robots of the future will be
the system’s ability to set off mines and IEDs. to 4.9m onto concrete surfaces, and can more heavily ruggedised, empowering them
The two rear wheels also integrate additionally be submerged in 0.9m of towards greater survivability against harder
flippers to help the system autonomously water. A 1.7kg manipulator arm can also drops and thrown deployments, more
right itself when flipped over and to be installed to enable EOD operations, solidly fulfilling their primary niche. ■

32 UNMANNED VEHICLES FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 WWW.UVONLINE.COM

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 IMDEX19_Visitor01_Shephard_205x273mm.pdf 1 22/1/2019 11:01:47 AM

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 ROV s

Aquaculture is fertile ground for the

ROV trade, with platforms such as
Deeptrekker’s DTG2 regularly being
utilised. (Photo: Deeptrekker)

UNDERSEA ROVERS
S
ubmerging just 10m under the The world’s oceans, providing as they do all manner of bounty
ocean will see the absolute
pressure – the combined force
for mankind, also represent an aquatic barrier to the
of air and water – double and continue to exploitation of vast untapped resources. Nevertheless, ROV
increase by one atmosphere every 10m
manufacturers are determined to go beyond this frontier.
beyond. Effectively, the environment
becomes ever more challenging the further By Richard Thomas
down an object travels. Throw basic human
limitations into this water column and it According to Lockheed Martin, these ROVs have become
becomes clear that this is a world in which nodules, found approximately 4km
robotics takes precedence for the hard yards below the ocean’s surface, could provide
the right (robotic)
of finding and gathering hidden treasure. millions of tonnes of copper, nickel, cobalt hand for companies
manganese and rare earth minerals used worldwide, offering ever-
What’s mine is… in construction, aerospace, alternative
While over 60% of the Earth’s landmass energy and communications industries,
improving capabilities as
is submerged, only around 5% of this area among others. technological advances
has been explored. Governments and Indeed, in 2013, the then UK Prime are made.
industry, however, are increasingly eyeing Minister, David Cameron, said that deep-
the prospects below to determine how best sea mining could be worth £40 billion
to gain access. ($51.9 billion) to the nation over the
For the past several years, UK Seabed next 30 years. To this end, a range of by the International Seabed Authority in
Resources, a subsidiary of Lockheed technologies have been used in order to order to properly regulate the practice.
Martin UK, has been working in partnership harvest the nodules, including, but not However, from a technological front,
with the UK’s Department for Business limited to, ROVs. much of the capability is derived from the
Energy and Industrial Strategy to explore This is a mining sector at the bleeding oil and gas sector and therefore already
133,000km2 of the Pacific sea floor for edge of what is possible and so new that a known to be well suited to operating under
mineral-rich polymetallic nodules. specialist mining code is being developed such pressures.

34 UNMANNED VEHICLES FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 WWW.UVONLINE.COM

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 ROV s

According to a 2015 UK parliamentary The need to find alternative sources of single skid placed immediately underneath
paper, some advanced technologies rare earth elements (REEs) has in recent the ROV.
‘developed for the offshore oil and gas, years come to the fore, with World Trade During operations, one arm of the H800-
dredging and trenching industries’ can be Organisation rulings attempting to free up INS ROV is used to hold a fixed point on the
adapted for the extraction of deep-sea the trade from strict quotas imposed by targeted underwater structure, thereby
minerals. For example, the paper states countries such as China, which in 2015 maintaining the ROV at a constant distance
that AUVs ‘are used to survey the seabed was stated to account for 91% of the to it, while the other arm carries out the
prior to extraction, and remotely operated market. Therefore, the development of the maintenance operation itself.
vehicles play a role in the sampling of right methods in which to uncover new The H800 ROV is used by Beachcomber
deposits, the mining itself and monitoring sources of REEs that minimise ecological as a maintenance tool for its underwater
of the mining process’. impact will see extensive use of unmanned structures in Tahiti.
systems and ROVs. Elsewhere, Teledyne Marine and
Ultimate refinement Research Products Development
Meanwhile, the UK’s National Oceanography Company recently signed an agreement to
Centre (NOC) has announced that it collaborate on the commercialisation of
will oversee Project Ultra, a mission to new technologies developed within Saudi
refine methods to reduce the potential Arabia for the offshore oil industry.
environmental impact of future mining. A development contract has been
It was revealed in December 2018 awarded under the agreement,
that the effort, which will be funded which covers the integration of
by the Natural Environmental a sensor developed by Saudi
Research Council, will further Aramco into Teledyne’s ROV
investigate the possibilities of for shallow-water pipeline

ERS
deep-seafloor mining. inspection monitoring.
With the use of a robotic The integrated sensor
rig, Project Ultra will work to can perform both ultrasonic
generate the first 3D image of thickness readings and
sedimented deposits, using cathodic protection voltage
instruments on the surrounding measurements at a single
seafloor to listen to vibrations from touchdown, reducing inspection
the drill as it bores through. The costs for shallow-water pipelines,
boreholes will then be sealed and minimising inspection safety hazards
returned to a year later, when fluids will and enabling the checking of hard-to-
be tapped-off from the plugs to test for reach sections.
reactions deep inside the deposit.
The rock core taken by the drill, alongside Dual-mode solution
these fluid samples, will reveal the Saab’s Seaeye Falcon is one of a number Another interesting ROV design under
composition and structure of mineral of systems capable of deep-sea operations. development is the Aquanaut, from
deposits, their sub-seafloor fluid pathways, (Photo: Saab) US-based Houston Mechatronics. It
alterations of the host rock and the has been dubbed a ‘Transformer-style’
preservation processes of their ore minerals. Next iterations platform for its ability to transit to a
The NOC stated that by using this The progress of ROV research and design work site in a sleek configuration before
information to identify where the continues today, both in terms of refining converting to a more conventional
most valuable metals are located in the traditional form factor and developing inspection format upon arrival.
the deposit, the programme will help modern platforms and robotic capabilities. A key role for Aquanaut would be oil
to ensure that the disturbance to the seafloor Much of this focuses on new sensors platform inspections, and the company
and its surrounding environment would be and manipulators. believes that the Gulf of Mexico would
minimised during any future exploitation. In March 2018, French company be a likely proving ground for the system.
This project forms part of the NOC’s ECA Group received a contract The Aquanaut operates in two modes:
ongoing research into seafloor resources from Beachcomber to supply two excursion and intervention. In the former,
and is a collaboration with the British five-function BM5E Micro underwater it is capable of travelling at 7kt with a
Geological Survey and a number of UK electric arms, designed to improve 200km range, although specifications
universities, as well as GEOMAR (the the maintenance capacity of will be made more concrete through the
Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel), Beachcomber’s H800-INS ROV. These testing programme. In intervention mode,
Nautilus Minerals, Oxford Museum, SMD solutions are compact and lightweight the vehicle’s hull opens up to provide two
Limited and VNIIOkeangeologia from Russia. and can be installed side by side on a additional vectored thrusters and two

WWW.UVONLINE.COM VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 UNMANNED VEHICLES 35

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 ROV s

Flexview, Kongsberg Mesotech’s

latest advancement in multibeam
sonar technology, is designed
specifically for small observation-
class ROVs, where compact size and
light weight are key selection criteria.
(Image: Kongsberg Mesotech)

8DoF (degrees of freedom) torque feedback sonar, which is designed for small A company official told Shephard at the
electric robotic arms. In this configuration, observation-class ROVs. The solution is a time that that the new vehicle would be a
the head assembly also gains another compact, lightweight system that provides ‘more compact, smaller version’ of its
degree of freedom, providing greater distortion-free images at a range of up to Pegaso ROV. The official added that a
inspection capability. 200m over a 140° sector, reducing the ‘roadmap’ would help continued
The system is planned to be operational time it takes to search for and locate development, and testing of the Lyra ROV
to a depth of 1,500m and the robotic targets, according to the company. will see new capabilities added according
arm is operational to a depth of 3,000m. The Flexview’s removable transducer to customer wishes. ‘We continue research
The latter has a reach of 1.5m and a lift allows damaged transducers to be replaced and development of this platform and have
capacity of 150kg. The vehicle has a weight in the field, in the unlikely event of a a roadmap to broaden [its capabilities],’
of 1,050kg and can carry a payload of up catastrophic impact. It also allows for the spokesperson stated.
to 350kg. potential new transducer configurations to The Lyra currently serves customers
The company is also evaluating CONOPS be exchanged in the future, depending on in Italian and international markets, in
such as ‘lillypadding’, where a vehicle could the task being performed. both the military and commercial sectors.
be based at a platform in the area and In a statement, Konrad Mech, director Military roles include use by SF for undersea
deploy to other platforms on demand. of subsea channel management at inspections and the sabotage of undersea
In January 2019, the Aquanaut was in Kongsberg Maritime, explained that cables, while the solution is also active in
the final stages of completion and will discussions during focus groups had the Italian parapublic sector and worldwide
undergo its first full-vehicle in-water revealed the need for increased ranges oil and gas.
transformation in February. Company and resolutions from its sensors. ECA Group has also worked hard to
officials said that the vehicle’s form factor Remarking on logistics and maintenance develop new technologies at the platform
and specifications have remained the same benefits, Mech said: ‘We are also aware and system level, for a wide range of
since launch, with a hardware upgrade that a sonar can be damaged during industrial and commercial uses. One such
likely by the end of 2019, which will include deployment and removal, impacting field programme has seen the development
new machine vision sensors, an increased operations and requiring factory repair of a 1,000m-depth-rated core sampler
depth rating and the addition of a new set with very long cycle times. Flexview offers recovery system for light duty ROVs.
of manipulators. customers rapid field replacement of the The system, mounted on a compact skid,
The demonstration schedule through transducer simply by removing four cap features a lightweight five-function electric
2019 will showcase the system’s screws, without compromising integrity of manipulator arm and a six-compartment
capabilities to potential customers. the electronics housing.’ telescopic receiver protected under a
L3 Calzoni also revealed in 2018 that it polycarbonate cover, as well as buoyancy
Product plethora intends to add a new ROV to its unmanned blocks. The ROV is equipped with a seven-
In addition, 2018 saw the launch of the family, while continuing to develop new function telemetry unit which, beyond the
Kongsberg Mesotech Flexview multibeam capabilities to the existing fleet. arm control, has two spare functions

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UV-01-19_p34-38_ROVs.indd 37 31/01/2019 13:31:39
 ROV s

operations in Norway. The ROV is able to

undertake a range of missions, including
Opening up deep-sea mining inspecting nets, moorings and floats, and
could bring immense rewards,
will be used to pinpoint and examine
and ROVs could play their part.
(Photo: NOC) locations of interest before the diver goes
down, then transport tools and parts during
the diving operation, a release states.
Meanwhile, ECA Group announced in
late November 2018 that it had received
another order for an H300V ROV system
from Technopole, which will be used
for the inspection of hydraulic dams in
Eastern Europe.
The H300V ROV is equipped with four
vectored horizontal thrusters. It integrates a
BV5000 imaging sonar system, permitting 3D
mapping of large areas within turbid waters,
and a Kraken Seavision 3D laser imaging
system, which generates high-resolution 3D
scans in full colour. Both sensors will be
period, according to Markets and installed within the ROV’s frame to permit
Markets research. plug-and-play mounting and removal.
The need to find It was suggested that offshore oil and H300V can reach a speed of 3.5kt
alternative sources gas discoveries in prominent countries and and integrates in the standard version one
of rare earth elements rising demand for oil and gas are driving the navigation black and white TV camera and
offshore ROV market globally. Companies one inspection colour zoom TV camera with
has in recent years come such as Saab and ECA Group will likely look optical zoom, mounted on a pan and tilt
to the fore, with World to build on a number of sales through 2018 unit that can support up to 15kg of payload.
Trade Organisation rulings and harness the growing need for ROVs. Combined with auto-heading and auto-
Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR) depth functions, this ROV is capable of
attempting to free up the
was one such customer for Saab, adding recording videos and data under strong
trade from strict quotas another Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV to its currents at 300m depth.
imposed by countries such global rental fleet of inspection-class ECA Group also delivered an H300V ROV
vehicles in March 2018. demonstration unit to the Chilean company
as China.
The Falcon is an electric underwater ROV Ultrasea in September 2018. Ultrasea
system with five thrusters and a distributed provides aquaculture services and provides
control system arranged in a small, 1m-long solutions in the field of underwater robotics,
chassis. The manufacturer states that the naval engineering and maritime services.
dedicated to the compartment drawer vehicle’s power and control make it highly According to a release, the H300V will
extension and withdrawal movements. manoeuvrable and able to remain stable in be used to perform demonstrations for
ECA Group say that its recovery system strong crosscurrents while undertaking applications including aquaculture, fish
has been designed for research institutes precision tasks. farm inspection and monitoring, fishing
and underwater inspection service This is aided by Saab’s iCON intelligent net and line inspection, cartography and
providers to perform operations in the control, offering precise station-keeping cleaning operations.
field of oceanography, hydrography and to allow the operator to concentrate
aquaculture. The system offers support on the task at hand, while the system Domain dominance
to operations such as sediment recovery, architecture makes for quick role change With long-established benefits during
coral sampling, flora and fauna sample and customisation. subsea operations, ROVs have become
recovery and small objects recovery. According to STR, growing demand over the right (robotic) hand for companies
the last 12 months for the Falcon from its worldwide, offering ever-improving
Sales successes clients in the oil and gas and renewable capabilities as technological advances are
With the global offshore ROV market sectors has led the company to expand made. Outside of the traditional uses in oil
estimated at $802.9 million in 2018, the its rental portfolio and plan future and gas, aquaculture and inspection, deep-
projection sees an increase to nearly $1 Falcon investments. sea mining also looks to be an area ready
billion by 2023, showing a compound The Falcon ROV will be deployed by KB for exploitation, providing that legislative
annual growth rate of 3.27% during this Dykk and AQS to support aquaculture and environmental concerns are met. ■

38 UNMANNED VEHICLES FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 WWW.UVONLINE.COM

UV-01-19_p34-38_ROVs.indd 38 31/01/2019 13:31:39

 OB19_Advert_UnmannedVehicles_205x273mm_AW.pdf 1 09/01/2019 20:35

9 – 11 April 2019 Southampton UK

The hands-on ocean technology

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UV-01-19_p39_Ocean_Business.indd 39 1/31/2019 2:25:29 PM
 INTERVIEW

Recent news stories have abounded with reports of nuisance

drones. Tal Inbar, head of the space and UAV centre at the
Fisher Institute, an Israeli non-governmental organisation,
spoke to Shephard about the threats that such platforms pose
to civil and military installations, and the means by which to
combat them.

Threat assessment We will see more

sophisticated attacks,

U
nmanned technology has been
with many more vehicles
mere presence of drones can be used
hailed as a key capability that as a weapon. simultaneously. Technology
is bringing benefits across the In civil aviation, the presence of drones exists for the capability
military, commercial and civil spheres, can disrupt the use of a large airport by
of creating a large swarm
but UAS also present risks to security forcibly restricting entry into its airspace
and privacy. which would result in thousands of flight of hundreds and maybe
One primary concern stems from covert cancellations. ‘If commercial drones enter thousands of drones.
surveillance, with sensitive locations a protected area, they could disrupt air
possibly being scouted by UAVs. The traffic,’ Inbar explained. ‘If you’re managing
intelligence gathered could reveal a major international airport and suddenly
weaknesses and leave a site vulnerable you see two to three quadcopters landing, to distinguish between the threats in
to attacks. you wouldn’t give permission to take off peacetime and in war. During peacetime,
or land, as happened at Gatwick airport’. we could work with drone manufacturers
Countering concerns He added that a key measure is to have to make vehicles inoperative in specific
Inbar addressed the Subcommittee reliable sensors that can detect small areas – eg creating a UTM database.’
on Security and Defence at European vehicles entering restricted airspace and
Parliament in November 2018, and noted then developing protocols to counter the Complex situation
the emergence of two types of threat. problem. The market for counter-UAS The wide availability of UAS platforms
The first is the use of commercial UAVs solutions continues to grow, with a vast makes them an attractive purchase for
by state and non-state actors. These range of systems offering ways by which non-state actors or criminals that can add
systems, bought off the shelf, can be to detect sUAS approaching a specific area. aerial capabilities to their illicit operations.
easily operated and are able to carry a Following detection, countermeasures such In an unmodified state, UAVs can create a
useful payload too, be it optical or other. as jamming can serve to disrupt the drone’s public nuisance, interfere with aircraft – as
In Syria, ISIS used commercial UAVs to signal, while more kinetic deterrents also was the case at Gatwick airport – conduct
drop explosives on targets, but even the exist for more military purposes. covert surveillance or even be employed as
Inbar expects that non- kinetic weapons.
Industry continues to work on solutions to disable drones. state actors will develop Moreover, the use of unmanned systems
(Photo: Beth Maundrill) heavier systems equipped adds a new layer of complication to the
with more advanced and investigative process, as automation and
lethal payloads, and he increased standoff distances provide
anticipates that countries perpetrators with a shield of anonymity,
such as Israel will have to thus reducing the risk of capture.
develop improved ‘We will see more sophisticated attacks,
countermeasures. with many more vehicles simultaneously,’
‘Ground forces must be nbar warned. ‘Technology exists for the
made aware of the constant capability of creating a large swarm
threat of drones, and [this of hundreds and maybe thousands of
must] lead to changes in drones. Drones can also be introduced
situational awareness and into shopping malls and stadiums. The
the concept of operation,’ sky is the limit.’
emphasised Inbar. ‘We have Inbar spoke to Joe Charlaff

40 UNMANNED VEHICLES FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 WWW.UVONLINE.COM

UV-01-19_p40_Back_Page.indd 40 31/01/2019 14:00:38

 VOLZ SERVOS
German manufacturer of actuators since 1983 – 36 years of innovation

u s a t
Visit

DA 26-MCS | Actuators with electromagnetic clutches and external position sensing for optional piloted vehicles.
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VOLZ-SERVOS.COM

UV-01-19_IBC_Volz_Servos.indd 3
Shepard_FP_FebMarch_205x273.indd 1 1/31/2019 2:26:17 15:51
28.01.19 PM
 B:211 mm
T:205 mm
S:182 mm

REAL-TIME
CONNECTIONS,
ABOVE AND BELOW.

B:279 mm
S:254 mm
T:273 mm

The Wave Glider autonomously connects your network from seabed to space, gathering data from the ocean depths
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survives at sea for many months in the toughest conditions. Stay ready for wherever the mission takes you.

boeing.com/waveglider

UV-01-19_OBC_Boeing.indd 4 1/31/2019 2:26:49 PM

Job Number: 10939903 Client/Brand: Boeing/BDS Date: 8-28-2018 3:36 PM APPROVALS

File Name: 10939903vAsWG_BDS_Autonomous_205x273.indd QC: Steve Jablonoski

Bleed: 211 mm x 279 mm Gutter: None Publications: None PA: Jim Barrett PR: Pat Owens
Trim: 205 mm x 273 mm Folds: NoneNone Notes: None RET: Angela Carlson PP: Chris Joyce
Safety: 182 mm x 254 mm Media/Color Sp: PRINT/4 COLOR AB: Sandra Sanchez TM: Kate Vilt
Scale: 1:1 Country: None Vendor: None
GCD: None
Actual Size: 205 mm X 273 mm Language: None Output%: None
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black AD: Peter DeGuzman
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