Unmanned Systems Technology 007 | UMEX 2016 report | Navya ARMA | Launch & recovery systems | AIE 225CS | AUVs | Electric motors | Lethal autonomous weapons

23 UAS producer Tekever, based in the UK and Portugal, has launched a new version of its AR3 Net Ray shipborne UAV with payload weight capacity increased from 5 to 8 kg, to allow integration of a maritime radar. Tekever is looking into suppliers for such a radar, its core objective being wide-area surveillance across 25 nautical miles (at peak power). The forward body has been enlarged to allow for the additional payload. The wings and tail stabiliser underwent minor depth increases to compensate for the increased maximum take-off weight (now 22 kg, previously 14 kg). Additional fuel tanks have been produced at varying sizes ranging from two to seven litres, allowing users a trade-off between fuel and payload weight according to mission requirements. Previously the AR3’s design philosophy followed a multi-mission line, with multi- sensor gimbals on a single platform, as a core system feature. This has now evolved to a distributed sensor architecture, where multiple aircraft, carrying different sensors, cooperate to deliver a combined picture to the user. The company is also developing a wildlife detection and tracking payload option. Current animal tracking systems tend to rely on GSM, or other network technologies often unavailable in large parts of habitats, so Tekever is investigating different types of communications systems based on its own SDR technology for integration into the AR3 and the AR4 Light Ray to detect the signals emitted by animal markers, and fusing that data with EO/ IR images retrieved by other onboard sensors. That will enable nature protection services to track the animals in a non-GSM area and react rapidly if they’re injured or in danger. Octopus ISR Systems, a recently formed subsidiary of Latvia’s UAV Factory, has developed a new dual-sensor payload ‘micro-gimbal’, the Epsilon 140. Initially for use with the parent company’s Penguin family (see UST issue 1) of fixed- wing unmanned systems as an upgrade to its single-sensor payload gimbal, Octopus hopes to be able to offer the ‘plug and play’ system for other UAVs in the future. First deliveries are expected to begin within the next few months. The Epsilon 140 is gyro-stabilised, with features including onboard image processing with target tracking and moving target indication. At least ten targets at a time, as small as two pixels, can be locked on before an operator selects one to zoom in on and track, with sensitivity adjustable according to the user’s requirement. The processed video is encoded with H.264 compression to minimise the data rate and data link bandwidth. As with the single-sensor Epsilon 135, video quality on the Epsilon 140 is enhanced with electronic stabilisation and roll correction to reduce high- frequency jitter, as well as direct drive torque motor stabilisation to allow for clear images at up to 30x optical zoom. Payload options include a global shutter HD daylight sensor and a high- sensitivity 640 x 480 IR night sensor with 60 mm IR lens. The aluminium housing is IP64 rated to protect the camera’s electronics from dust and heavy rain, and also from shock and rapid accelerations to the airframe. iRobot’s Defence and Security Business Unit (soon to become Endeavor Robotics) has begun integrating a new radio system into its family of UGVs. UMEX 2016 | Show report Unmanned Systems Technology | April/May 2016 Tekever’s new version of its AR3 aims to integrate maritime radar The Epsilon 140 micro-gimbal from Octopus ISR Systems is intended initially for use with its Penguin UAVs