4 T hroughout the world of unmanned systems, creative engineers, sensing the opportunities as the market expands, are coming up with fresh technological solutions. This may well be looked back on as the golden age of innovation. We are certainly proud to be playing our part in documenting it – but will it, rather, be the age of lost opportunity? Those in a position to exploit the available technology tend to be extremely conservative. That is particularly true in the aviation sphere. There, encouraged by those in authority who certify craft, the philosophy has long been ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ and unmanned examples already seem to be following that ingrained mindset. It is refreshing then to learn that driverless cars are to get their own race series, accompanying the high-profile international Formula E competition. Depending on how well the regulations are written, that arena should highlight alternative technological solutions and, in pitting one against another, spotlight their strengths and weaknesses. Similar competitions for air, sea and even underwater craft – with elements beyond simply the goal of getting from A to B quicker than the competition – could play a valuable role in giving alternative technologies a much-needed showcase. Let’s not leave them at the mercy of inherently conservative market forces. Ian Bamsey | Editorial Director Don’t miss the boat (or car…) Dec 2015/Jan 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology Intro | Dec 2015/Jan 2016 Volume Two | Issue One Dec 2015/Jan 2016 High Power Media Limited Whitfield House, Cheddar Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4EJ, England Tel: +44 (0)1934 713957 Fax: +44 (0)20 8497 2102 www.highpowermedia.com ISSN 2056-9823 Printed in Great Britain ©High Power Media All rights reserved. Reproduction (in whole or in part) of any article or illustration without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. While care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information herein, the publisher can accept no liability for errors or omissions. Nor can responsibility be accepted for the content of any advertisement. US COPIES ONLY Unmanned Systems Technology ISSN No: 2056-9823, is published by High Power Media in England and is distributed in the United States by SPP, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ. Postmaster please send address changes to: Unmanned Systems Technology, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available from High Power Media at the address above or directly from our website. Overseas copies are sent via air mail. UST SPECIAL 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 6 issues per year; 15% off: UK – £75; Europe – e 125 USA – $150; ROW – £97.50 Make cheques payable to High Power Media. Visa, Mastercard, Amex and UK Maestro accepted. Quote card number and expiry date (also issue/start date for Maestro) Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Assistant Editor Guy Richards Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Staff Writer Stewart Mitchell Contributors Peter Donaldson, Will Roney Technical Consultants Jack Kane, Angus Lyon, Geoff Weighell Design Andrew Metcalfe
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