Unmanned Systems Technology 017 | AAC HAMR UAV | Autopilots | Airborne surveillance | Primoco 500 two-stroke | Faro ScanBot UGV | Transponders | Intergeo, CUAV Expo and CUAV Show reports

28 December/January 2018 | Unmanned Systems Technology Advanced Aircraft Company HAMR Hybrid multi-rotor UAV Wingspan: 130 in Length: 65 in Height: 19 in Maximum take-off weight: 36 lb Maximum useful load (fuel plus payload): 8.5 lb Maximum payload: 7 lb Typical empty weight: 27.5 lb Airspeed range: 0-40 knots Endurance limit: 3.5 hours (projected) Engine: single-cylinder air-cooled two-stroke rated at 1.5 kW Fuel system: electronic fuel injection, 100 oz polymer tank with option for a second Fuel: 98 octane petrol/gasoline with 40:1 two-stroke oil mix Battery: 3300 mAh lithium-ion Hybrid propulsion system: 1.5 kW alternator and power conditioning components Motors: six brushless DC motors, KV rating 135 Propellers: six 28.2 x 9.2 diameter and pitch, two-blade Power for payloads: 50 W at 28 V DC, optional regulator for lower voltages Fuselage: CFRP monocoque with GFRP inner and outer skins Motor booms: one-piece 6061 T6 aluminium tube supporting the two front motors, three-piece tube supporting the four rear motors Nose payload bay: accommodates a turret 4 in in diameter Central payload bay: length 12 in, width 6.5 in, height 3.5 in Payloads (preliminary): HD TV and thermal cameras System storage case dimensions: 54.4 x 29.2 x 16 in The HAMR’s power source is Desert Aircraft’s DA-35, a single-cylinder 35 cc air-cooled two-stroke rated at 1.5 kW for the HAMR application and fitted with an EFI system from HFE. The engine burns 93 octane petrol (gasoline) pre-mixed with two-stroke oil in a ratio of 40:1. The EFI significantly improves fuel consumption compared with carburetted engines and makes it easier to use by eliminating the need to adjust the mixture needles. Fuel is stored in a 100 oz fuel tank from Du-Bro, with the option of installing another 100 oz tank in the lower portion of the centre payload bay for missions of up to 3.5 hours, leaving the forward bay free for a sensor. The engine powers a hybrid propulsion system from LaunchPoint Technologies, which quotes a specific fuel consumption of 600 g/kWh for the engine, and 93% efficiency for the alternator. The alternator is also air-cooled. It is rated at 1.5 kW at 8500 rpm, and feeds power to a controller rectifier that keeps the nominal bus voltage at 28 V DC to charge the battery. This is at the high end of the voltage range that LaunchPoint’s generator can produce at its KV rating, which relates Volts to rpm, while allowing the DA-35 engine to run at a safe rotational speed. In addition to the generator, LaunchPoint provides rectifier and electrical bus controls. Wiring is made from conventional but high-quality, military-spec, aerospace-grade cable distributed by WireMasters. Anatomy The prototype HAMR in action