38 A chain is connected to the UAV via a servo-actuated emergency release system, controlled via DroneCAN (not counted among the eight flight-control servos due to being mission-specific), which, in case of emergency, can drop the entire load. The bambi-bucket is controlled by a relay, which then enables energisation or de-energisation of a solenoid, which then opens the bucket and releases the water. Camera payloads typically integrate to the autopilot via MAVLink, with video transferable via Ethernet or HDMI, and mechanical integration is recommended at the sides of the fuel tank for clear views and stable weight distribution. Downward-facing laser rangefinders have also previously been integrated in a similar manner. Upcoming firefighting missions will see Thunder Wasps equipped with airborne radars and thermal cameras – the latter helping with fire analysis, and both being key to obstacle avoidance in poor visibility conditions caused by smoke. Future In broad strokes, ACC Innovation’s plans encompass raising up “a new aircraft industry” in Sweden, starting with series production of its low-speed, heavy-lifting Thunder Wasp GT – including models coded as 2xGT, equipping two PBS TS100 engines on a common shaft for 2 t of lifting capacity – and its upcoming Dragonfly as a higher-speed lifter. “We expect to produce a large number of both of these over the next three to five years – hundreds or potentially thousands – even ignoring the direct interest we have received, and just basing expectations on how much mass they can move, and how far and long they can move it, relative to the cost of operating it,” Claes says. The company will focus particularly on windfarm fields, firefighting and defence, with the former two especially easy to access given their dedication to green technologies, such as the fuel-efficient Thunder Wasp GT. As well as its two models discussed so far, ACC anticipates introducing either a new UAV design or an update on an existing model to leverage new technologies every two to three years. “We have maybe 10 different aircraft concepts to evaluate in our pipeline, with specific plans to explore them over the next five to 10 years, linked to how the market is expected to grow in that time,” Claes adds. “Everything we need will either be produced or heavily stocked in this building, so we can iterate and trial new designs very quickly to suit any application that our patented technologies could make a difference in.” Acknowledgements ACC Innovation would like to give a special thanks to the ArduPilot team, particularly Leonard Hall of Freespace Solutions Pty, Peter Hall of KH Unmanned and Andrew Tridgell. December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Dossier | ACC Thunder Wasp UAV Thunder Wasp GT Quadrotor Gas turbine (Jet A1) Mechanical rotor transmission Aluminium structure MTOW: 800 kg Empty weight: 375 kg Max payload: 400 kg Nominal fuel capacity: 248 kg Nominal flight endurance (with standard fuel tank): 3.5 hours Cruising speed range: 70-90 kph Max airspeed: 110 kph depending on configuration Service ceiling: 3000 m ASL (ISA) Some key suppliers Gas turbine powertrains: PBS Group Rotor blades: HAB Servos: Hitec Autopilot computers: CubePilot Autopilot software: Ardupilot RTK GPS receivers: ARK Electronics Satcom: Starlink Data links: CubePilot Data links: Doodle Labs Data links: Radionor Data links: RFDesign Cabling: Novael Production AB Batteries: EarthX Batteries GCSs: Desert Rotor CNC laser-cutting services: Minec Produktion AB CNC waterjet cutting services: Maskinteknik i Orskarshamn AB Laser cutter: Trumpf Contract manufacturer: Scanfil Åtvidaberg AB Key specifications In addition to series manufacturing and exploring various applications, ACC’s future plans include several new aircraft designs, with potentially a new launch every few years
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