Issue 40 Unmanned Systems Technology October/November 2021 ANYbotics ANYmal D l AI systems focus l Aquatic Drones Phoenix 5 l Space vehicles insight l Sky Eye Rapier X-25 l FlyingBasket FB3 l GCS focus l AUVSI Xponential 2021

90 has a standard endurance of 14 hours, potentially more depending on payload. “Testing has validated that the aircraft is capable of routine take-offs and landings in winds up to 30 knots [15 m/s], which is very high for VTOL craft. “Another characteristic is that the Penguin C VTOL uses the Mk2’s rotating, quick-swappable payload nose compartment. This enables payloads to have additional mechanical gyro stabilisation in the roll axis.” The Penguin C VTOL will soon enter serial production phase, with the first deliveries planned to start at the end of this year and into early 2022. Autonomy software company Autonodyne discussed the latest trials and capabilities of its AI solutions, which are programmed for managing large numbers of unmanned vehicles through automated behaviour profiles – effectively pre-planned operating modes with sets of algorithmic manoeuvres or responses. “We first started tailoring this software for unmanned vehicles after a US Department of Defense operator asked to see if we could get a high- speed jet-powered target drone to fly autonomously, with the intelligence and dynamics of a human steering it with a joystick,” said Steve Jacobson. “We installed our software on the drone, streamed the performance data back to a ground station, and the customer was very satisfied with the result. “One of the funded programs we’re now participating in here in the US is aimed at creating ‘Monte Carlo’ simulations for defence UAVs – essentially inserting highly randomised anomalies into the mission paths of UAVs running our software, to see what adjustments to its mission plans the software decides to have each UAV execute. That’s now showing and testing our software’s ability to learn over time what works and what doesn’t.” Autonodyne’s control software can be run on a wide range of GCSs, unmanned vehicles or cloud systems. Data links can transmit command outputs to the radios and hence autopilots of smaller vehicles that lack the computer processors or storage space to run it directly. Jacobson added. “We can now control decentralised autonomous swarms, where the UAVs do all the mission planning, formations and adjustments among themselves. That frees up the GCS operator, putting them on the loop rather than in the loop.” Anemometer manufacturer Anemoment unveiled its most advanced 3D sonic anemometer, the TriSonica Sphere wind flux sensor. The new system has been engineered to deliver more precise vertical wind measurements than are typically available, combined with fast sampling rates (up to 50 Hz). “Our TriSonica Sphere is the only 3D sonic anemometer engineered specifically for flux and turbulence research that is SWaP-optimised for UAS use,” said Liz Osborn. The TriSonica Sphere features a patent-pending spherical architecture that dramatically reduces the effects of wind shadowing, and increases the accuracy of vertical wind measurements. These qualities are essential for accurately measuring atmospheric turbulence and flux measurements, including eddy covariance studies. The sensor has an all-aluminium construction, and its design features an open path geometry that enables it October/November 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology Report | AUVSI Xponential 2021 Autonodyne’s software manages numerous UAVs using automated behaviour profiles Anemoment’s TriSonica Sphere sensor