Unmanned Systems Technology 006 | ECA Inspector Mk2 USV | Antenna systems | Northwest UAV NW-44 | Unmanned ground vehicles | Navigation systems | Lunar X challenge

26 the Inspector Mk2’s ability to mount a variety of payloads and to accommodate interfaces with handling equipment such as cranes and davits used to launch and recover the USV from larger vessels, more of which later. “We have some mechanical parts inside to make the roof stiff for the anti-pendulum interface, and in fibre it would be more difficult to achieve that,” Clavier explains, alluding to the complexity of the moulds required. The anti-pendulum interface is the connection with the mechanism on modern cranes that prevents dangerous swing during hoisting. The aft deck features a wide range of mechanical, electrical and data connections for payloads and payload support equipment. This amounts to a very flexible architecture through which it is possible to rapidly change the USV’s configuration for different missions by switching modules. For example, the deck can accommodate launch and recovery systems for two UUVs or ROVs. ECA is now producing its third generation of launch and recovery systems, which can be integrated with manned surface ships as well as USVs. Another optional module is a towed side-scan sonar, which can be deployed at depths down to 100 m and which includes a winch to control the sensor’s depth and distance behind the vehicle. Also mounted on the aft deck is the mast structure, which supports equipment including data link antennas, a radar and an associated camera for visual identification of radar targets and so on, and smaller cameras facing to the front, rear and sides to assist with close-quarters manoeuvring and docking. Clavier says this is a minimum camera fit, normally augmented by more sophisticated stabilised cameras depending on the mission. The mast tilts for trailer transport or storage aboard other vessels. Another sensor of note is the Maretron WSO100 anemometer and weather station module that, in addition to wind speed and direction, measures barometric pressure, air temperature and relative humidity. Wind measurements are taken with ultrasonic sensors that have no moving parts to snag on other equipment or wear out. Comms links ECA offers several comms link options covering radio frequencies between 700 MHz and 5.4 GHz. The standard single link has sufficient bandwidth for full- motion video and both vehicle and sensor payload control and display data, and incorporates high levels of redundancy and security. Clavier says some customers ask for different types of link, which the company can provide, and although he declined to go into details, he emphasised the company’s confidence in the comms system’s compatibility and performance with standard sonars, for example. The distance at which the USV can be controlled remotely, and thus its effective operational radius, depends on antenna height. “For that reason it is always difficult to talk about radio range,” Clavier February/March 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | ECA Inspector Mk2 USV The Inspector Mk2 running at speed in displacement mode. The yellow-and-black sensor is a side-scan sonar The Inspector Mk2 in open-cockpit configuration with midships mast, lateral antennas and launch and recovery equipment for K-Ster vehicles