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

46 further claim, as yet unproven, is that it could recover and launch UAVs of Predator size or larger from a pad or platform that would take the place of the cradle frame used for boats and USVs. For the launch, the UAV would be secured to the pad and winched out behind the ship, then rapidly accelerated forwards to achieve flying speed, catapult-style. In recovery mode, the pad would be towed as far as possible behind the ship (at about 100 m) then pulled along the rail to match the UAV’s speed so that it can land on it and be secured, then pulled aboard at the stern. Again this application remains at the concept stage, although just how comfortable a ship’s captain would feel about hurling a large UAV towards the stern of his or her charge remains to be seen. Based on technologies in use every day in the fishing industry, the drogue is similar to an Isaacs-Kidd Midwater Trawl, and uses a hydrodynamic depressor to hold it at a depth of 20-40 ft below the surface. It generates a drag force of 22,528 kg and a dive force of 5632 kg, enabling the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene cables to support a payload weighing up to 9072 kg (20,000 lb) at a tow speed of around 15 knots. UUVs come in many shapes, sizes and weights, and are usually much slower than the motherships, particularly combatants, from which they are expected to operate. That is why small boats, including USVs, are now often used to launch and retrieve UUVs. A smaller version of the Soft Rail system has been proposed in which a USV tows the trawl slowly enough for the UUV to engage the carriage, then accelerates to a speed sufficient to put the correct tension and angle on the cables to haul it aboard. While cutting-edge information and communications technologies are essential to unmanned systems, so are mechanical engineering imagination and a willingness to borrow ideas from just about anywhere. Acknowledgements The author would like to thank Juan Luis Fariñas at Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas, Rich Omer at Zodiac Aerospace and Dipl. Ing. Armin Strobel for their help with researching this article. It also draws on material from companies including Amores Robotics, Arcturus UAV, BMT Defence Services, Boeing Insitu, Creative Technology Applications, Fruity Chutes, Robonic and UAV Factory. April/May 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology Focus | Launch and recovery systems ESTONIA ELI +372 6480242 www.eli.ee FINLAND Robonic +358 40 751 6363 www.robonic.fi FRANCE Zodiac Aerospace + 33 (0) 1 61 34 23 23 www.zodiacaerospace.com HUNGARY Amores Robotics +36 30 334 5215 www.amores-robotics.com ISRAEL Parazero +972 08957 7011 www.parazero.com LATVIA UAV Factory +371 29191590 www.uavfactory.com SPAIN Aries +34 916 78 20 90 www.aries.com.es VTI +34 916 448 171 www.vtisl.com UK BMT Defence Services +44 (0)1225 473600 www.bmtdsl.co.uk Ilmor Engineering +44 (0)1604 799100 www.ilmor.co.uk Meggitt Target Systems +44 (0)1233 505600 www.meggitttargetsystems.com Skylaunch +44 (0)1939 235845 www.skylaunchuk.com Tasuma (UK) +44 (0)1258 488833 www.tasuma-uk.com USA Aero Telemetry - www.aerotelemetry.com Arcturus UAV +1 707 206 9372 www.arcturus-uav.com Atair Aerospace +1 718 923 1709 www.atair.com Creative Technology Applications +1 808 261 4888 www.creativetechnologyapplications.com Fruity Chutes +1 408 499 9050 www.fruitychutes.com FXC Corporation +1 714 556 7400 www.fxcguardian.com Hood Technology +1 541 387 2255 www.hoodtechmechanical.com Ilmor Engineering +1 734 456 3600 www.ilmor.co.uk Mars Parachutes +1 562 267 9452 www.marsparachutes.com UAV Factory USA +1 914 591 3296 www.uavfactory.com Some examples of launch and recovery systems suppliers