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

Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com UST 38 : JUNE/JULY 2021 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Solid support Focus on reliable data storage In the loop Advances in antenna technology For the duration We inspectSkyeton’sRaybird-3 wide-area data gatherer 4 Over the next month, an autonomous vessel will travel across the Atlantic. Its launch depends on the weather and the project plan, but the Mayflower Autonomous Ship will be a key demonstration of unmanned systems and a vital step in developing the technology. The latest element to be added is a video system to feed back data at rates as low as 6 kbit/s over satellite links, thousands of miles from land (see page 6). This highlights the importance of video encoding technology for unmanned systems on Earth and in space, as Richard Bernard of VITEC discusses on page 18, along with antenna technology in our Focus on page 76. The use of unmanned surface vessels for a range of applications is growing in importance, as we report on page 44 with the Sea-Kit X-Class and in our Insight on page 50. But the International Maritime Organization (IMO) suspended its Maritime Safety Committee meetings during the Covid pandemic, and these were key to the regulations for maritime autonomous surface ships that were due to be agreed this year. The Mayflower’s journey can take place under trial regulations, but as the IMO regulations are only changed every 10 years, it is vital that they are updated to allow the roll-out of the technology. The Mayflower will be an essential part of demonstrating that the technology is viable and safe for long journeys. Nick Flaherty | Technology Editor Surface potential Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Deputy Editor Rory Jackson Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Production Editor Guy Richards Contributor Peter Donaldson Technical Consultants Paul Weighell Ian Williams-Wynn Dr Donough Wilson Design Andrew Metcalfe UST Ad Sales Please direct all enquiries to Freya Williams [email protected] Subscriptions Frankie Robins [email protected] Publishing Director Simon Moss [email protected] General Manager Chris Perry Intro | June/July 2021 June/July 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology Volume Seven | Issue Four June/July 2021 High Power Media Limited Whitfield House, Cheddar Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4EJ, England Tel: +44 (0)1934 713957 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 – £90 USA – £93.75; ROW – £97.50 2 year subscription – 25% discount: UK – £135; Europe – £162 USA – £168.75; 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 CHRISGILBERT: KeepingGroupCalive www.highpowermedia.com MAY 2021 UK £15,USA$25,EUROPE e 22 THE COMMUNICATIONS HUBOF THE RACING POWERTRAINWORLD JANUARY 2020 U 15,USA$5,EUROP MARKPRESTON: Winning inFormulaE www.highpowermedia.com ENGINEFACILITY EXTRAORDINAIRE TRD’s powerhouse DIGITALMACHINING Focus onCAM FORD’SPOCKET ROCKET TheM-SportR5 THEQUESTFOR280MPH TheSorceress harnesses 10.5 litres and twin turbos SNAKEOILORNOT? Nano lubricant technology under investigation HISTORICPOWER TRANSFER Crankshafts for retro race engines ISSUE010 | SUMMER2021 UK£15 USA$30 EUROPE€22 E-MOBILITY ENGINEERING THE COMMUNICATIONS HUB OF THE ELECTRIFIED POWERTRAIN Quiet please Wemakeanoise abouthow IrizarGroup developed its ie urban truck Sound advice Consumer protection FocusonNVHand the toolsEVengineers use to tackle it The latestdevelopments inbatterysafetysystems The USE network Having now provided several enterprises around the world with the support and connections they need to implement efficient and sustainable technological solutions, we’re keen to continue expanding this free service. If the unmanned vehicle and/or system you’re working on could benefit from some independent advice, from engineers specialising in the appropriate field, then please do get in touch. Email your question/challenge/dilemma/predicament to [email protected] or visit www.unmannedsystemsengineering.com and raise a case with us. All questions will be treated in the strictest confidence, and there’s no obligation whatsoever to follow any recommendations made.