58 In operation | Robotican’s Goshawk counter-UAV The actuator can then also detach the net once the Interceptor has captured its target and flown it over the disposal area, with quite a bit of r&d going into designing the ability to do both the deployment and release of the net with a single actuator,” Geva says. “When you’re reloading nets into a magazine, the actuator and wheel help mechanise the installation and stowing of new nets, so we’re getting as much use as possible out of the electromechanical parts. “But we don’t over-stress them at all; we want to be cost-effective. The wheel is very useful for lowering the net, but it doesn’t need to produce a lot of torque to do that – gravity does most of the work there.” Return to roost Once all of the hostile targets have been addressed, the Goshawk can return to its Smart Nest, or to another if the IMS determines a different one is available and no efficiency is lost by switching. Wireless communications between the UAV and the Nest ensure the timely opening of the latter’s doors (and again, the UAV’s cameras and embedded AI can confirm the doors have opened, rather than risking a situation where they have jammed and the Nest has sent a false positive). Once it has landed, conductive charging via connectors on the landing pad commences via the Goshawk’s struts, with the ensuing battery replenishment using the same power source and connection that kept the UAV fully charged and ready for action pretake-off. “Wireless charging is interesting, but at the charging rates and efficiencies currently possible with such technologies, the amount of power and time it would take to bring the Goshawk’s battery from empty to full is too much for our users. In defence, you want to do things as fast as possible, and be ready for the next mission as fast as possible,” Geva says. “That’s why we also have the option to change packs by hand, which is even faster than fast charging. You just come to the Nest, click a button on the Interceptor to open its battery panel, replace the pack and it’s ready to go.” Future flight Over the forthcoming months, Robotican plans to continue working with its various customers in not only the defence sector but also in the energy sector, and others in the commercial world with vulnerable critical infrastructure. As troubled as they may be by the increasing threat of autonomous drone attacks, more people are realising that autonomy can also be the solution to their problems, as Robotican’s systems are. The company is also set to gradually announce some key partnerships over the next few years, while also working on ways to optimise and expand its technological offerings. Such offerings include the unusual Rooster UAV. Just as the Goshawk was named after a raptor, for its job of capturing other flying creatures, the Rooster is designed to travel safely and energy efficiently along the ground, rolling around to conserve energy when obstacles are minimal and flying when there are many in the way. April/May 2024 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Goshawk Hexacopter Battery-electric Dimensions: 97 cm length, 110 cm width, 55 cm height Maximum take-off weight: 21 kg Minimum endurance between charges: 10 minutes Maximum airspeed: 108 kph Maximum carry capacity for captured drones: 7 kg Maximum combined thrust from motors: 6 kg Maximum battery energy capacity: 5 Ah Key specifications The UAV and Smart Nest communicate wirelessly to enable timely opening and closing of its doors, such that the Goshawk can land and begin recharging in good order
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