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

4 I recently visited a company developing a small- displacement two-stroke for UAV use. There are many companies active in this field and I visit them regularly. Given that these engines are quite straightforward, you would assume it would make those visits somewhat repetitive. Not at all. The world of UAVs has given this type of engine a new lease of life, and right now the various players each have their own innovative ideas about how to maximise its potential. This burgeoning creativity is most likely a temporary thing though. As UAV technology matures, inevitably some of the innovations will prove to be more effective than others. Over time, small-displacement two-strokes will converge towards common features, and then it will no longer be so fascinating to visit developers on a regular basis. In fact, market forces may well mean that there are no longer so many players left in the field. Or perhaps the Wankel-type rotary will displace the two-stroke as the predominate source of UAV propulsion? Or how about the gas turbine, a prime example of which is featured in this issue? Our role is to report faithfully on the differing technological solutions, not to speculate about which will win out in the fullness of time. Right now we have the fascination of so many alternative solutions on offer. That goes for all aspects of unmanned systems technology. As reflected in the pages of this publication – and seen from the engineering perspective – this is a Golden Age. Ian Bamsey | Editorial Director A golden age December/January 2017 | Unmanned Systems Technology Intro | December/January 2017 Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Assistant Editor Guy Richards Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Staff Writer Stewart Mitchell Contributors Dr Dave Cooper Peter Donaldson Rory Jackson Technical Consultants Paul Weighell Ian Williams-Wynn Dr Donough Wilson Design Andrew Metcalfe [email protected] UST Ad Sales Please direct all enquiries to Simon Moss [email protected] Subscriptions Jim Cavanagh [email protected] Publishing Director Simon Moss General Manager Chris Perry Office Administrators Frankie Robins Ellen Culliford EchoBlue Media Online Publisher Caroline Rees [email protected] Subscribe today @ www.ust-media.com Editorial opportunities Do you have a strong technical knowledge of one or more aspects of unmanned systems? As we grow we are on the lookout for experts who can contribute to these pages. If that sounds an interesting challenge then don’t hesitate to explore the possibility of writing for us by emailing me: [email protected] Pinpoint accuracy C-Astral’s Bramor ppX survey UAV Motion picture Focus on inertial measurement units Material world Advances in alloys and composites UST 11 :DEC/JAN 2017 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Volume Two | Issue Seven December/January 2017 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 SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS 1 year subscription – 15% discount: UK – £75; Europe – e 125 USA – $150; ROW – £97.50 2 year subscription – 25% discount: UK – £135; Europe – e 225 USA – $270; ROW – £175.50 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)