Unmanned Systems Technology 026 I Tecdron TC800-FF I Propellers I USVs I AUVSI 2019 part 1 I Robby Moto UAVE I Singular Aircraft FlyOx I Teledyne SeaRaptor I Simulation & Testing I Ocean Business 2019 report

12 Instrumentation systems supplier Nortek has developed its own USV called the Signature VM that has an integrated Doppler sensor to measure water current and direction (writes Nick Flaherty). Nortek develops acoustic Doppler instrumentation such as Doppler Velocity Logs, which are used for subsea navigation, and Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs), to understand physical processes in the oceans, rivers, lakes and laboratories. For surveys in Asia, Nortek China has built the Signature around an ADCP sensor and a COTS controller. It has an industrial personal computer as the main controller and uses a remote control technique called Remote Desktop to communicate with all the instruments installed. That means the vehicle allows users to carry out hydrology and water quality measurement while simultaneously obtaining water samples. The Signature VM measures 2 m x HFE International has updated its DA150 twin GenPod propulsion to streamline its integration into UAV airframes (writes Rory Jackson). “We have a lightweight aluminium back plate on the GenPod, which is meant to be permanently affixed to the front or rear of the airframe,” said HFE’s Rob Shoemaker. “There are two latches on the top of the plate and a hook underneath to hold the engine pod system securely to the airframe. “That enables a UAV manufacturer or technician to remove the whole engine unit from the airframe easily and quickly, for maintenance, inspection or repairs.” The ECU, fuel pump, ignition and other The updated DA150 GenPod comes with dual decompression valves to save space 70 cm x 40 cm and has two propellers that produce 80 lb of thrust. It can be controlled by a remote operator or programmed to sail by itself. The layout of the vehicle can be adjusted according to user requirements. The next step in its development is to add a more powerful controller. key components sit in the back of the GenPod, and have circular connectors for integration with an airframe’s electronics. The DA150 also comes with dual decompression valves, which HFE has designed-in to reduce the size requirements of the starter/generator. “That saves space, because otherwise we would need a very large alternator, which would limit the range of airframes the system could be integrated on,” Shoemaker said. The system displaces 150 cc and has a 500 W alternator as well as one spark plug per cylinder. During start-up, the power management unit will open the valves, and close them as soon as the engine is running at normal operation. USV samples water quality Quick-change power unit Surface vehicles Airborne vehicles June/July 2019 | Unmanned Systems Technology Nortek China has built the Signature USV around its Doppler sensing technology