Unmanned Systems Technology 013 | AutonomouStuff Lincoln MKZ | AI systems | Unmanned Underwater Vehicles | Cosworth AG2 UAV twin | AceCore Neo | Maintenance | IDEX 2017 Show report

78 Show report | IDEX 2017 “The main improvement over the HEF 30 is the performance,” said Esther Hackert. “The engine’s displacement has been expanded from 30 to 32 cc, so we now have an endurance of 4.5 hours instead of 3.5 hours, and we can carry a payload of 5 kg.” The aircraft has also been redesigned with a lighter airframe that makes greater use of composite materials. It also has more advanced EMI shielding, which complies with standards for combat aircraft. Appropriately for a defence exhibition, several counter-UAS solutions were exhibited, including an RF and microwave detection system from German company Aaronia. The Drone Detection System (DDS) uses an RF and microwave tracking array antenna with real-time spectrum analysers to detect a UAV’s comms link and video downlink. “And our intelligent pattern classification algorithms distinguish between UAV signals and other wi-fi or RF signals,” commented Manuel Pinten. As users cannot ascertain which frequency a UAV is communicating on, the DDS can be set to hop between typical frequencies – 433 to 915 MHz to 2.4 GHz and so on, for example – or conduct a sweep of a frequency range, from 100 MHz to 6 GHz. Once a radio link is established, the DDS detects the UAV within 500 ms, and provides an approximate distance to the UAV with 360° directional coverage, with detection range being a function of signal strength. Zone Advanced Protection Systems has developed organisational software for integrating UAV detection and jamming systems. The Arbitor Physical Security Information Management System is designed to support all physical and electrical devices for UAV detection use, including thermal, IR, radar, proximity, electrical and optical sensors. As Mal Fraser-Clay explained, “Arbitor fuses relevant pieces into one program. If you use ground-based radar, CCTV and so on, it all plugs into an autonomous system.” This is accomplished through the OPC standard or a custom-built interface based on the XML standard. Customers can rent detection devices to improve their own ‘shield’, as Fraser- Clay added, “Ground-based radar can falter when drones fly through gaps in their detection spread. Our system would ideally incorporate an acoustic detection system to enhance detection up to 1 km away.” Conversely, Novatel unveiled a line of GPS anti-jamming devices to protect the critical navigation capabilities of unmanned systems on land, air and sea. Neil Gerein said, “Our GPS anti- jamming technology [GAJT] antenna product line uses spatial processing techniques to dynamically change the apparent gain pattern of the antennas to create nulls, or regions of less gain, in the direction of the jamming signals. Using GAJT, the effective range of the jammer can be reduced from tens of kilometres to just a few hundred metres from the source.” Mitigation occurs through a null- forming algorithm using multiple antenna elements in a controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA). For example, four elements in the GAJT-AE-N – the smallest of the three GAJT systems – enable simultaneous creation of nulls in the affected parts of the antenna’s gain pattern in three directions. CRPAs use RF front ends to down- convert the GPS signal for both L1 and L2 – essential for military UAVs that rely on robust and complex navigation systems – before digitally changing the antenna pattern and then up-converting back to these frequencies. The GAJT-AE-N weighs 1.2 kg and is intended for installation on small UASs. The 7.5 kg GAJT 710MS and 710ML are designed for larger marine and land vehicles respectively. Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) from Switzerland launched its newest UGV for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), the GCS-200. “The three-point hitch on the front of each system allows you to connect any COTS or GCS-customised attachment for EOD operations to the front of the GCS UGVs,” said Andreas Mikota. Attachments include a runway flail for clearing/collecting unexploded ordnance, a manipulator arm for removing heavy IEDs, and a tiller for destroying anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. When paired with the runway flail April/May 2017 | Unmanned Systems Technology High Eye’s HEF 32 will carry a 5 kg payload for up to 4.5 hours