Unmanned Systems Technology 003 | UAV Solutions Talon 120 | Cable harnesses | Austro Engine AE50R and AE300 | Autonomous mining | AUVSI 2015 show report | Transponders | Space systems

24 Davidson. “We found that it isn’t a finish that is feasible for the commercial market, so we now have as standard an extra fibreglass outer skin, which was originally just an option. That means a small amount of extra labour in laying it up, and adding a little cost, but it adds strength to the structure and improves its aesthetics.” Talon 120 layout The backbone of the 120 is a full- length carbon fibre boom running from the motor in the nose to the tailplane assembly. Effectively a hollow tube, this boom is seen as a particularly robust solution for the overall fuselage requirement. Likewise produced from advanced composite material, the main fuselage runs from the nose payload section just far enough back to support the fibreglass-clad injected foam wing atop it. The boom runs through an upper section of the fuselage, bonded into it together with four bulkheads. Immediately ahead of the fuselage (underneath the motor/propeller) is the nose payload housing, carrying as standard UAV Solutions’ Dragon View camera and gimbal. Behind that, under the base of the fuselage, is the injection-moulded foam belly pan, which can optionally provide a second payload housing. In the right-hand side of the fuselage is the battery compartment, which like the belly pan is located at the centre of gravity position. On the other side, in a comparable position, is a similar compartment, this one for the ‘avionics pallet’, which carries most of the electronics, including the autopilot, its voltage regulator and the control radio. They are thus mounted to a single plate, which integrates them. “We don’t like the idea of having separate avionics around the craft,” explains Davidson. “Our approach allows us to test all of the avionics outside the craft as one item. You then just fit the pallet into the fuselage and plug in its connector.” The avionics pallet provides a heat sink to help cool the radio. The motor is in the airstream, as is its speed controller, so cooling for those items comes from the airflow over them. Summer 2015 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | UAV Solutions Talon 120 Hand launching is an option for the Talon 120 We don’t like the idea of having separate avionics around the craft. Our approach allows us to test all the avionics outside the craft as a single item The 120’s straightforward propeller and motor