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

28 Launching and landing the 120 While the 120 can be hand-launched by a skilled and experienced pilot, UAV Solutions recommends the use of a launcher since, as Davidson puts it, “you can badly damage your Talon 120 with a bad throw!” He adds that the use of UAV Solutions’ optional pneumatic launcher provides a more consistent take-off. Then there is the option of belly landing or parachute landing, depending on the operational environment, the latter possibility newly developed. The 120‘s polycarbonate belly pan acts as a shock absorber for landing, while its depth protects nose-mounted payloads when belly landing. Indeed, the belly pan avoids the need for a gimbal retraction mechanism that would add complexity, weight and cost. The belly pan can optionally be hollowed out to act as a second payload section (assuming there is a gimbal in the nose). Davidson emphasises that this provides the flexibility to explore different payload solutions, without affecting centre-of-gravity location. Talon 120 performance The 120 has a wing aspect ratio in excess of 10:1, and although Davidson admits that it is “a very conventional” airplane he says its aerodynamic performance is consequently very good. The motor provides up to 9 lb-f (40 N) of thrust, giving an impressive thrust-to- weight ratio, notes Davidson. “The motor typically runs at 50-60% of maximum power, providing a good reserve of power. You don’t want to fly at full power constantly since that is when you draw the most current. Keeping that reserve of power maximises mission duration. Plus, having the additional power helps when flying at high altitude – for example when operating in the mountains in Colombia, Summer 2015 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | UAV Solutions Talon 120 UAV Solutions was co-founded in 2006 by William A (“Bill”) Davidson and his wife Billie Ann, who continues to hold the post of president while her husband, an engineer, is the CEO. These days the company has 58 employees and occupies a 60,000 sq ft facility in Jessup, Maryland, near the Baltimore-Washington International airport. UAV Solutions counts among its projects an involvement in the development of the TigerShark UAV platform used by the US Navy. However, Davidson emphasises that his company supplies both military and commercial solutions. It is geared towards the design, development and production of unmanned aircraft, including fixed-wing and rotor craft, and even manufactures its own two-stroke engines. Davidson notes that his company has amassed a considerable in-house manufacturing capability, including 3D printing (additive manufacturing), and that it makes considerable ongoing investment in r&d. UAV Solutions’ in- house design capability includes CFD analysis as an add- on to its Solidworks CAD system. UAV Solutions’ manufacturing facilities include composite production, a full machine shop, a small welding area and 3D printing. The company has seven CNC mills, a water-jet cutter, a laser cutter plus advanced facilities for welding and bending. It retains a few manual machines for the occasional rapid response job. In-house carbon fibre work is wet lay-up rather than pre-preg. 3D printing is carried out using five Stratasys Fortus 400 MC machines, which produce items from nylon, polycarbonate and other thermoplastics. Manufacture of electronics boards is outsourced but the rest of the electronics for its various UAV models is produced in-house. UAV Systems has a dedicated chamber to test electronics at given temperatures. All software programming is done in-house, as is software and sensor testing. The company has hardware-in-the-loop simulation in-house to test its autopilots and other electronics, and is able to ‘fly’ control systems in a virtual environment before flying them in an actual craft. UAV Solutions The Talon 120 can fly for two hours and more