Issue 39 Unmanned Systems Technology August/September 2021 Maritime Robotics Mariner l Simulation tools focus l MRS MR-10 and MR-20 l UAVs insight l HFE International GenPod l Exotec Skypod l Autopilots focus l Aquaai Mazu

44 B etween the demands for operational safety and expanded mission capabilities for UAVs, there has grown a huge market for aerial systems that maximise every gram of their payload-carrying capability while staying within the weight limits and case-specific waivers currently available under Part 107 of the FAA’s rules governing commercial UAV operations. Mobile Recon Systems (MRS) has tailored its r&d along these lines, and as such is now gaining widespread interest from defence and commercial end- users for the UAVs it is developing at its facilities in the aeronautical technology cluster in North Dakota. One of its line-up – the KittyHawk MR- 10, an X-8 octocopter – is now ready for professional operations in US national airspace, with another following later this year. The ‘10’ signifies that the MR-10 is designed to be at its most efficient with around 10 lb (that is, 6.6-11 lb/3-5 kg) of payload, although it has been repeatedly tested to carry more weight, frequently with more than 10 kg of payload within a MTOW of 25 kg (as per Part 107). A second craft, called the RavenHawk MR-20, is also an octocopter. The ‘20’ comes from its design being optimised for around 20 lb of payload, to be most efficient with a take-off weight of just under the Part 107 limit of 25 kg. With a waiver, the pilot can fly it with more payload, easily with 15-20 kg, up to a maximum of 26 kg of payload and a MTOW of 43 kg. With these two aircraft, MRS offers models that can carry heavier payloads than is common at the moment, while staying within the Part 107 all-up weight limitations. Both are perhaps most likely to be used by the US defence industry, particularly for logistics tasks such as delivering mission-critical tools or life-saving medical goods to military Mobile Recon Systems has unveiled a pair of UAVs that can carry uncommonly heavy payloads for their class. Rory Jackson has the details Worth their weight August/September 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology Mobile Recon Systems has tested its KittyHawk MR-10 UAV to carry more than 10 kg of payload, at a 25 kg MTOW (Images courtesy of Mobile Recon Systems)