Unmanned Systems Technology 011 | C-Astral Bramor ppX | IMUs | Autonomous farming | UAV Turbines UTP50R | London Show report | Advanced materials | Las Vegas Expo report

baggage, or alternatively into a pair of water-resistant backpacks. The company is currently expanding the range of sensors the ppX can carry, to include multispectral cameras, hyperspectral imagers, infrared cameras, Lidars, thermal cameras and a laser- based gas leak detector for use in pipeline and hydrocarbon industry monitoring, for example. A basic Bramor ppX package with a survey-grade GNSS receiver and everything needed for operations – including laptops, training and basic spares – sells for about US$58,000. Aerodynamics BWB configurations exhibit higher lift-to- drag ratios than conventional tube and wing layouts because all the horizontal surfaces contribute to lift and there are no sharp, drag-inducing changes in cross- sectional area. It is an idea that major entities including NASA and Boeing are investigating in pursuit of much more fuel-efficient airliners, for example. However, the configuration presents stability problems: without a separate horizontal tail surface, Trost explains, the main wing generates a negative pitching moment. “There are several ways to compensate for this,” he says. “One is to use the appropriate air foils, which means you have less lift, or you can twist the wing. We played with these configurations a lot.” Moulded from carbon fibre- reinforced plastic, the two-bladed propeller folds back when the motor stops, reducing drag in gliding flight