Unmanned Systems Technology 025 | iXblue DriX I Maintenance I UGVs I IDEX 2019 I Planck Aero Shearwater I Sky Power hybrid system I Delph Dynamics RH4 I GCSs I StreetDrone Twizy I Oceanology Americas 2019

51 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has developed the SeaGuardian, a maritime variant of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS. The SkyGuardian itself was developed as a variant of the Predator B to meet NATO’s Stanag-4671 standards, as well as airworthiness certification standards in the US and worldwide. The 24 m wingspan SeaGuardian is typically equipped with GA-ASI’s 360° multimode maritime radar, AIS, and EO/ IR systems, with a total of nine hardpoints across the wings and fuselage for integrating up to 2155 kg of external payload. An internal fuselage payload bay can also carry up to 363 kg, for a MTOW of 5670 kg. PBS, a Czech Republic-based developer of engines for UAVs and other small aircraft, displayed its range of turboprop, turboshaft and jet engines, including its newest product, the TJ150. “This newly developed engine is based on our most commercially successful model, the PBS TJ100 turbojet engine, which gives 1300 N of thrust,” said Marek Fiala. “The TJ150 has been designed primarily for high-speed UAVs, especially target drones. It can operate at a speed of up to 0.9 M, with a maximum speed of 0.6 M, within an ambient temperature range of -50 to +45 C and an operational ceiling of 9000 m.” The single-shaft TJ150 consists of a radial compressor, a radial and axial diffuser, an annular combustion chamber, an axial turbine and a fixed outlet nozzle. The system also integrates its own starter generator to aid ignition reliability. The TJ150 measures 52 cm long and 27.2 cm in diameter while weighing 19.6 kg, and can deliver up to 1500 N of thrust, with up to 750 W of power deliverable by the generator. Fiala added, “PBS is also designing a special version without a separate oil system; instead it will be lubricated by a fuel-oil mixture. This reduces the engine weight and production costs.” Trakka Systems exhibited its new-generation TC-300G-S gimballed sensor payload for defence, security, and law enforcement craft (unmanned or otherwise). The system combines six different sensors into a spherical central housing. Two of them are 3.2 MP HDTV cameras with a 36.6° maximum FOV (and a minimum 0.94° FOV at maximum zoom), one for normal colour and the other configured for low-light conditions up to 1000 nm in the near-infrared. Also integrated are an MWIR array with 30° maximum FOV and continuous zoom, a laser rangefinder with a 12 km maximum range, an 80 mW laser pointer, and a 450 mW laser illuminator. The gimbal is 30 cm in diameter, weighs about 19 kg and draws a maximum of 320 W (100 W being the typical consumption). Although typically a developer of subsystems for UAVs, South African company Tellumat showcased its first full unmanned aircraft, the Astus, for tactical surveillance applications such as border and coastal security. The Astus has a 5.2 m wingspan and can carry up to 10 kg of payload mass within its 92 kg MTOW. A 210 cc fuel-injected two-stroke engine powers the craft for up to eight hours’ flight endurance or a maximum speed of 80 knots (55-60 knots at cruise), with an operational ceiling of about 4260 m. “We bought the engine parts externally, then built this custom engine to suit our performance requirements,” said Willie Malan. “The Astus flight management computer is in full control of the ECU and fuel-air mixture to manage IDEX 2019 | Show report Unmanned Systems Technology | April/May 2019 The TJ150 turbojet engine from PBS GA-ASI’s SeaGuardian is a marine variant of its SkyGuardian