Unmanned Systems Technology 038 l Skyeton Raybird-3 l Data storage l Sea-Kit X-Class USV l USVs insight l Spectronik PEM fuel cells l Blue White Robotics UVIO l Antennas l AUVSI Xponential Virtual 2021 report

28 about 200 km 2 over about 7 hours of flight. Over the following two weeks we stitched together all the images in our photogrammetry software to produce a clear 3D map for the customer. The quality of the data was such that they have since asked us to carry out aerial mapping every year, so that they can track the changes in their quarry and make smart mining decisions.” Knyazhenko adds, “The customer does not prioritise the superiority of the vehicle or the payloads so much as the specific data they require, from HD video to photos, 3D models, thermal maps and more. We therefore want a diversity of payload sensors on our systems to enable the client to quickly obtain the data format and accuracy they need.” Although the Raybird-3 is rated to carry payloads weighing up to 5 kg, the major constraint on the Raybird-3’s payload bay is its size. As the payload is the most important component for mission purposes, the gimbal is retracted inside the hull using an electromechanical scissor-lift inside the payload compartment, to keep it safe when not in use. This also eliminates its parasitic effects on drag and hence on fuel consumption during parts of a flight. Anything wider than 200 mm will be too large to fit through the compartment aperture, and Stepura adds that 180 mm is the preferred maximum. Toptun notes here that the Raybird-3 can feasibly carry 7 kg with no impact on mission safety, only endurance is reduced. Also, the payload’s power consumption should be no more than 50 W, although an equally sensible figure can be calculated and adhered to if the onboard generator has been customised for a higher peak output than the standard 100 W. “The cap on carried weight for us is a combined 12 kg of fuel and the payload, so you can imagine how endurance increases with lighter sensors,” he explains. “A 3 kg gimbal with 9 kg of fuel can comfortably fly for 24 hours, and for longer if really necessary, although technically it’s unsafe to deliberately allow the fuel to fall to very low levels during operations. However, there are many high-end payloads weighing 200 g or less these days, enabling us to safely surpass 30 hours of flight.” While many small consumer cameras fit this profile, Skyeton has also used products from the latest generations of high-end multi-sensor micro-gimbals, a particular favourite being the Epsilon series of EO/IR/laser gimbals from Octopus ISR Systems. Stepura estimates that in roughly 70% of missions where a customer asked for live HD video, Skyeton fitted the Epsilon 140 or 175. Both payloads output H.264- encoded video over Ethernet, Stepura emphasising the crucial importance of high-quality digital data links to the company’s end-users who need live video or photos. “Those are just about the biggest systems we use; other than these, we have many multi-spectral and COTS products June/July 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | Skyeton Raybird-3 An electromechanical scissor-lift retracts the gimbal up into the payload compartment to protect it and reduce drag when not in use Different INSs are integrated depending on the survey resolution required by customers, and include solutions from VectorNav and KVH