Unmanned Systems Technology 027 l Hummingbird XRP l Gimbals l UAVs insight l AUVSI report part 2 l O’Neill Power Systems NorEaster l Kratos Defense ATMA l Performance Monitoring l Kongsberg Maritime Sounder

4 In this issue we look at the challenges of developing reliable unmanned systems for a wide range of applications. With legal operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) on the way, UAVs will become suitable for a greater variety of tasks, as we highlight on page 46, looking at how new technologies are being integrated into existing platforms to enable new use-cases. Our cover story on the Hummingbird XRP takes that forward, by looking at the way a platform can be developed using many rounds of testing to reach the most flexible design. We also discuss a new radial engine design for helicopter-type UAVs, on page 64. When autonomous systems are used for so many applications, monitoring the platforms becomes even more important to ensure the systems can be used reliably. As we explain on page 82, machine learning and connections to the cloud are playing a growing role in monitoring the performance of ground systems and for tapping into the battery packs and autopilots of UAVs. There is an irony here though that this is increasing the complexity of the system, and therefore potentially lowering its reliability. But monitoring the performance of an unmanned system in more detail, regardless of the application, gives engineers greater confidence that it can predict when it needs to return to base before a problem occurs. That confidence will be a key part of the roll- out of unmanned systems for many applications in the coming years. Nick Flaherty | Technology Editor Reliably informed Intro | August/September 2019 Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Assistant Editor Guy Richards Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Contributors Peter Donaldson, Rory Jackson Technical Consultants 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 Freya Williams [email protected] Publishing Director Simon Moss General Manager Chris Perry Office Administrator Frankie Robins For all enquiries relating to unmannedsystemstechnology.com 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] Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com It’s all panning out Focus on new gimbal technologies Is everything OK? What autonomy means for performance monitoring UST 27 :AUG/SEPT 2019 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Tool of the trade How Reference Technologies’ Hummingbird XRP has been designed as the workhorse of UAVs Volume Five | Issue Five August/September 2019 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. 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) ALSO FROM HPM THE COMMUNICATIONS HUBOF THE RACING POWERTRAINWORLD AUGUST 2019 UK £15,USA$25,EUROPE e 22 NORIOAOKI: Newmotorsportdirections forToyota www.highpowermedia.com FORMULAONETWO-STROKEV6 MercuryRacing’s outrageous outboard 24HOURPROTOTYPES LM P1 andDPi engines 2019 DISCOVERING THELIMITS Focus onmaterial and component testing August/September 2019 | Unmanned Systems Technology