Unmanned Systems Technology 001 | UAV Factory Penguin C | Real-time operating systems | Hirth S1218 two-stroke twin | Base stations | ASV C-Enduro | Composites | Datacomms

52 Dossier | The ASV C-Enduro Portsmouth harbour. ASV reports that it was initially operated in remote- control mode, demonstrating its close- quarters manoeuvring capability. A seamless transition was then made to autonomous mode, which saw the vehicle follow various courses set out by the control system. Next, under the supervision of the NOC, a more extensive trial took place in the ocean off the coast of Oban in Scotland in February 2014. By June, ASV had an order from the NOC for its first production vehicle, and soon after, Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh ordered a second vehicle. The NOC’s C-Enduro was delivered in September 2014. Going forward, ASV anticipates selling five or six C-Enduros a year. Overview The C-Enduro is a 4.2 m-long catamaran with a beam (maximum width at the nominal waterline) of 2.4 m and a height of 2.8 m to the top of the antennae surmounting its central hoop. With its keel retracted its draft (the distance from its lowest point to the nominal waterline) is 0.4 m. Its size makes it straightforward to transport by road (it folds down to 1.5 m high) and it is supplied complete with a road trailer and a trolley for slipway or beach launching and recovery. It can also be lifted by dockside or ship crane. Intended primarily to collect data, the C-Enduro is designed to cope with any marine environment. It is characterised by its solar panel-clad deck and the simple hoop that forms its superstructure. The enclosed volume of the hoop plus its 2 m-long pivoting keel ensure its catamaran platform is very stable and capable of self-righting, allowing operation in harsh weather. In order to save weight and assure a stiff and rugged structure, the vessel is primarily of carbon fibre and Kevlar pre- preg construction. In order to minimise the number of moving parts, steering is obtained by the differential thrust of a pair of traction motors, one powering a propeller at the rear of each hull. The three-pillar energy and propulsion system works in conjunction with a very efficient ‘wave piercing’ hull form to maximise range and duration potential; the key to the overall performance of the C-Enduro is the efficiency of its hydrodynamic form. The C-Enduro can be configured to operate purely on solar power, with the wind turbine removed and with the IC engine replaced by an additional battery module. In fact, it can be configured in a number of ways according to user requirement, and there is the option of a methanol-fed fuel cell in place of the IC motor. In standard guise the C-Enduro’s flexible propulsion system can cater for the extra drag of towed underwater instruments. Its payload capacity is up to 100 kg, November 2014 | Unmanned Systems Technology The craft can be configured in a number of ways according to requirement, with the option of a methanol- fed fuel cell Overhead and side drawings of the C-Enduro