Unmanned Systems Technology 020 | Alpha 800 I Additive Manufacturing focus I USVs insight I Pegasus GE70 I GuardBot I AUVSI Xponential 2018 show report I Solar Power focus I CUAV Expo Europe 2018 show report

4 Designers of unmanned aircraft face a constant challenge to reduce the weight of components without compromising the strength or performance of the system. They are increasingly turning to additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, with a growing range of construction techniques and materials to address that challenge and create ever-larger components. Overcoming the restrictions of a 3D printer’s ‘build bed’ to create larger parts is a major issue for the industry, and we look at the range of machines and materials in our Focus article on page 34. Nowhere is this challenge greater than for craft operating on Mars. Engineers at NASA have spent the past four years refining the design of an exploration UAV that by reducing its weight as much as possible should be able to fly in the thin atmosphere of the Red Planet. 3D printers are even being developed to go into space to print large components while in orbit. Back on Earth, designers are using their engineering skills to reduce weight and extend mission times, with the latest technologies from the CUAV Europe Expo detailed on page 94, and from AUVSI Xponential on page 68. The engineering trade-offs are highlighted in the development of the Alpha 800 autonomous helicopter on page 22, while flexible, lightweight materials and substrates for solar panels (discussed on page 84) are enabling high- altitude UAVs and the next generation of power for autonomous space systems. Nick Flaherty | Technology Editor On the plus side June/July 2018 | Unmanned Systems Technology Intro | June/July 2018 Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Assistant Editor Guy Richards Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Contributors Peter Donaldson, Rory Jackson Technical Consultants Dr Dave Cooper 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 Administrator Frankie Robins For UST Online please contact: 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: [email protected] Multi-tasking monitor What makes the Alpha 800 helicopter so versatile and dependable? Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com Layer upon layer Focus on additive manufacturing Catch some rays Spotlight on solar power UST 20 : JUNE/JULY 2018 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Volume Four | Issue Four June/July 2018 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)