Unmanned Systems Technology 036

Zepher Flight Labs Z1 | Digest latch, for quick access in the field to replace a depleted hydrogen tank with a full one. By comparison, wheeling the Z1 to a refuelling station and attaching a pressure hose would take much longer. Camp notes, “The Intelligent Energy fuel cell takes around 20-30 seconds from activation to get to full power. With that and all the other automated processes, combined with tool-less refuelling – and swapping-out payloads and other sections where needed, as well as a quick visual check – we expect to be able to perform a full maintenance turnaround in less than 5 minutes.” Future plans Included in the US government’s contract is an option for ARL to enter into a 12-month development period with Zepher on a 50 kg UAV, which it might take up. In anticipation of this, Zepher’s engineers have drawn up a preliminary design for its next UAV, the Z2. This will be a 50 kg UAV that incorporates many design points from the Z1. The main differences on the Z2 will be a 5 m wingspan, a maximum payload of 10 kg (enabling cameras with a greater zoom range and therefore allowing surveys at higher altitudes), a heavy-fuel engine with a large volume twin-chamber muffler for noise reduction, and an endurance of up to 36 hours. Over the course of this year, Zepher also expects to continue its r&d, largely on the Z1, while optimising it for potential users and missions in the commercial and civilian spheres as well as military and government contracts. The use of CAN as the main interfacing bus greatly speeds maintenance checks and reduces the number of wiring harnesses needed throughout the Z1          