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32 Koperberg says coming up with a means of creating a box that can be folded into its final 3D shape complete with its crumple zone and deployable wings was challenging. Optimising it is continuing, and will take into account new knowledge acquired from testing and CFD simulations. He explains that Wings For Aid wants to make the process as easy as possible because it has to work with volunteers worldwide. “We are continuing to optimise the folding scheme, as it is a complex exercise in origami from a single cardboard sheet at the moment,” he says. “One of the latest optimisations showed that this process can be done beforehand, off location, or the box can be simply and quickly assembled on location.” Part of the reason for making the carriage and release system for the boxes modular was to make it easier to use with a wide variety of aircraft. Wings For Aid tested this in cooperation with the DLR and the emergency services in the Dominican Republic, where a single module with one box was slung underneath an unmanned helicopter. While the new UAV is still a work in progress, the cargo delivery system is basically ready to go, Koperberg says. “We have validated the working of the drop system with the UN’s World Food Programme, using smaller drones and manned aircraft. The service is expected to go live this year.” Modular, scalable mission management The current comms system consists of a radio receiver for direct RC piloting, a C2 link and a video link, all supplied by partner Amazilia Aerospace. While the aircraft is not yet equipped with a transponder, Amazilia says an ADS-B Out system could easily be added but it has no means of scanning the airspace for potential hazards itself. The next phase of development, however, will include an onboard detect & avoid capability. Koperberg believes that to realise Wings For Aid’s mission the company will need different types of UAVs to carry different numbers of boxes over various ranges, plus others in supporting roles such as monitoring the operational area, supporting traffic alert and collision avoidance functions, and acting as nodes in comms networks. He says Wings For Aid might either buy or build these aircraft, but in either case the company will need a single mission management system that can provide C2 services for all of them. This system is now under development for Wings For Aid by Amazilia Aerospace. “We wanted a system over which we have full control, so that we can influence everything,” he stresses. “Nothing is off the shelf, all software libraries are open to us, and all the code has been written for us or is accessible by Amazilia Aerospace. “We envisage a concept of having specialised drones handling, for example, the detect & avoid part, or one in which they are all equipped with a combination of visual and radar systems but with the processing of all that data being carried out by another drone above them,” he says. All the UAVs, he adds, would be in communication with each other in a way that provides another option for the management of BVLOS operations at low cost. “We could equip just one drone with satcom, and the others could make use of its connection.” Also, each UAV would be able to act as a comms relay for the others. December/January 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | Wings For Aid MiniFreighter 8/500FW Currently used for remote piloting, the ground control system is ready to support higher levels of autonomy and multi-vehicle operations when that software is developed (Courtesy of Wings For Aid) We’re continuing to optimise the folding scheme, as it is a complex exercise in origami from a single cardboard sheet right now