Issue 41 Unmanned Systems Technology December/January 2022 PteroDynamics X-P4 l Sense & avoid l 4Front Robotics Cricket l Autonomous transport l NWFC-1500 fuel cell l DroneX report l OceanScout I Composites I DSEI 2021 report

94 Show report | DSEI 2021 and consume 4 W in normal operations up to a peak of 7 W. Their gyros both have an in-run bias stability of 0.02 º /h and an angular random walk of 0.01 º / √ h. Nicomatic showcased two of its newest connector designs it says are well-suited to unmanned aircraft engineering. The first was the Optimus series of modular rectangular connectors, which were recently qualified to a critical aerospace qualification standard. “That standard is the EN 4165, a European norm used widely across defence and commercial aerospace, covering all harsh environment qualities including high vibrations, temperature, dust, moisture and altitude,” said Phil McDavitt. “We are seeing an especially fast- growing demand for this qualification among UAV integrators, and to further aid such customers, Optimus also has a composite metallised plastic shell version that saves weight while maximising mechanical performance. “Optimus connectors have either aluminium or composite shells with a nickel or cadmium plating for a robust signal connection, and their modularity means we can put fibre optic lines in them as well. “We also have a tool-less version available, for when a quick change needs to be performed in the field.” The connectors are being launched with modules for size 8 to 22 contacts, standardised to M39029 or EN 3155. The certified Optimus series is expected to be fully available in early 2022. Nicomatic also displayed its new DBMM Series micro-connectors. The series was developed to match the design and performance of the 2 mm pitch metal-shell DMM micro-connectors (validated to Mil-DTL-83513G), however they feature an integrated backshell that is designed to cut the length of the connector by about 20 mm, while also reducing weight and the degree of sealing required. The backshell was developed originally as a bespoke solution for a few customers before Nicomatic decided to fully productionise it. Two DBMM Series models are currently available: the DBMM220 featuring four to 32 signal, power or coax contacts; and the DBMM320, which comes with six to 48 such contacts. We visited Intelligent Energy’s stand to discuss its new Gryphon-Hex UAV, an integration platform optimised around showing the potential of the company’s 2.4 kW hydrogen fuel cell. “The DJI M600 was never quite right for our 2.4 kW system in weight and power-handling terms, and it’s discontinued now in any case,” Jonathan Douglas-Smith explained. “We’re showing with this system that end- users can carry a payload of 11 lb for 120 minutes of flight, in an airframe that’s about as lightweight, inexpensive and easily manufactured as the M600. “And the Gryphon-Hex’s MTOW is less than 55 lb, which is required to operate under US Part 107 regulations. From concept through to demonstrating it at the First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge this year, it took about 18 months to design, and it’s built from widely distributed and replaceable COTS parts. “We are currently capable of supplying several dozen units of this platform next year through our commercial integration partners, although such is the demand that we’re planning to expand that to hundreds of units in 2023.” The airframe is made from carbon fibre and is supplied by Gryphon Dynamics, which also provided close design consultation on aspects such as boom-arm stability. Propulsion units from T-Motor are installed at each arm, December/January 2022 | Unmanned Systems Technology Optimus connectors from Nicomatic Intelligent Energy’s Gryphon-Hex