Unmanned Systems Technology 005 | Selex ES Falco UAV | Sense and avoid systems | RCV Engines DF70 | DSEI show report | Fuel cells | CUAV Expo, InterDrone and CUAV Show reports | SLAM

28 advanced search and rescue capabilities, which include recognition of survivor beacons. There is also the option of avoiding the use of radar operation in certain directions, for reason of stealth. Normally the Falco is flown line of sight. Between the Falco and its GCS are two types of data link: narrowband for command and control, and wideband to serve the payload. The latter can support full HD-quality video. In line-of-sight operation both types of link can reach up to 250 km, depending on the local terrain and transmission conditions. Onboard data storage is solid state and is sufficient to record more than 20 hours of HD video plus associated data. Ground control There is a fibre-optic link between the GCS and the GDT, which in turn supports the three primary antennas transmitting to and from the craft. The GDT is normally housed in the GCS module, with the antennas located outside. The GCS houses the human operators and the equipment needed to control and support the Falco. Designed to be mobile, it uses a standard 20 ft (6.1 m) steel shelter, with enough headroom for a person to stand inside. It is powered by a buffer battery, which in turn can be fed from the mains or from a combustion- engined generator hooked up to it. The GCS is configured to control one aircraft at a time. Normally it houses three operators: the pilot, a co-pilot and the GDT operator. Both the pilot and the co-pilot have identical consoles (interchangeable in case of emergency) and sit on each side of the data display board, with the GDT operator located between them. Normally the co-pilot will have the job of operating the payload sensors while the pilot concentrates on monitoring the flight. The Falco carries a nose camera from which the view ahead is constantly fed back to the GCS. The pilot has conventional aircraft controls at his disposal and can fly the Falco manually by remote control if desired. In addition to the view from the nose camera, normally the Falco’s air-to-ground radar provides a ‘map’ of the terrain over which it is Dec 2015/Jan 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | Selex ES Falco UAV At any time the autopilot can be overridden to allow the pilot to directly operate all the control surfaces, although that option is rarely used The Falco takes off and lands as per a regular manned aircraft