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

50 Digest | MRS KittyHawk MR-10 and RavenHawk MR-20 wealth of software fixes generated by the Pixhawk/Ardupilot community. “The Cube Orange runs on an STM32 H7 processor,” Dowell adds. “It’s effectively a faster edition of the Cube Black, and we’re also considering moving to the Cube Blue+, which is a US-made equivalent of the Cube Orange but not yet mass-produced. “All our ESCs run through that, all our radio inputs run into it for processing, and it also handles the data from the two GNSS antennas we integrate on the KittyHawk and RavenHawk to ensure we almost always have an accurate heading output and can handle the occasional ionospheric or multipath-related interference.” Only the onboard video systems (from the FPV camera and any video payloads) do not connect to the Cube Orange. Instead, there is a separate network of processors and encoders in the camera and Herelink to handle such data before transmission to the operator. Payloads can be integrated and controlled via the Cube Orange over MAVLink or through a serial link with a companion computer. The MRS team has also made use of the Aux, SBus and GPIO ports on the Pixhawk system for remote activation and deactivation of payloads from the GCS via a PWM signal. “Many of the companies we’ve spoken to are looking at really cutting-edge payloads, because they want to fly UAVs in new and unusual mission sets such as comms relay, seed distribution or aerial spraying of disinfectant,” Nickell explains. “Because of that, many of them want an integrated, secure set of controls for their payload to ensure that their telemetry and actuation links are consistently safe and reliable. “For that reason, looking into different comms architectures – between onboard subsystems and between our UAVs and GCSs – continues to take up a lot of our r&d, but using an open-source autopilot is critical for making that easier.” Future plans In addition to continuing development of the RavenHawk to bring it to full manufacturability, as well as of the larger Dauntless platform towards its flight tests next year, MRS has secured its manufacturing facilities and supply chains to begin scale production of the KittyHawk. As well as carefully minding its supply chain security, MRS is partnering with key IT security firms to work towards Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and the similar NIST SP 800-171 standard. These will ensure the integrity and safety of both data and aircraft against unlawful access, as they increasingly take on missions in high-risk situations or over high-value government and commercial assets. August/September 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology KittyHawk MR-10 X-8 octocopter Dimensions: 206 x 168 x 46 cm MTOW: 27.2 kg Empty weight (with batteries): 9.5 kg Payload capacity: 17.7 kg Maximum speed: 79 kph Maximum wind resistance: 40 kph Operating temperatures: -12 C to +38 C RavenHawk MR-20 X-8 octocopter Dimensions: 218 x 175 x 61 cm MTOW: 43 kg Empty weight (with batteries): 22.7 kg Payload capacity: 26.3 kg Maximum speed: 72 kph Maximum wind resistance: 40 kph Operating temperatures: -12 C to +38 C Some key suppliers Flight controller: Hex/ProfiCNC Data link: Hex/ProfiCNC Motors: T-Motor ESCs: T-Motor ESCs: Castle Creations FPV camera: GoPro Dynamometers: RC Benchmark CAD: AutoDesk Specifications A FLIR Duo Pro payload mounted to the MR-10 via a Gremsy gimbal