102 Additionally, recent updates to the Veronte autopilot enable CAN- and serial-based integration of IMUs and other sensors, allowing messages from these sensors to be prioritised within end-users’ vehicle networks. SF Motorsporttechnik presented a large selection of its components for fuel-supply systems, including various pumps with DC and BLDC motors. “The pumps with BLDC motors have an integrated motor controller, which helps keep the entire system as small and compact as possible. We will now build these versions in a smaller version that meets the new requirements of UAV customers,” explains Martin Spickermann from SF Motorsporttechnik. “Since we come from motorsport, we are used to fulfilling customer-specific designs precisely and at short notice, even for small production series. And that doesn’t just refer to the supply of the hydraulic output power, but also to the customer-specific design of the electrical connection, the hydraulic connections and the fastening of the complete units.” Nicomatic displayed a wide range of its latest connector solutions, among them a new product conforming to the VITA 66 standard for optical interconnects in embedded computing systems. “It integrates 12 optical fibres into a single connector housing. Engineering it took close optimisation for all the tolerances, so the fibres will always be connected without any misalignments,” says Nicomatic’s Simon Soppart. “We’ve also integrated our own innovations in expanded beam technology for optical connections. That effectively functions like a lense, but oriented in the opposite direction to the beam, so it extends the light and you don’t have to exactly match two paired fibres together. You have a gap in between, so the manufacturing, handling and cleaning of the connections are all made easier. It also makes the connections more durable and resistant to contaminations.” Nicomatic offers the VITA 66 standard connector with wiring provided by aerospace-certified cable harness manufacturers, and it can supply customised versions of the connector on request, including different form factors, materials and locking mechanisms. The connector design is tested to 500 mating and unmating cycles, as well as 500 temperature cycles between -55 C and 105 C, and 10 cycles of humidity testing from 89% to 94% humidity, among other validations. “The VITA 66 standard is also compatible with the VPX [VITA 65] standard, providing seamless integration with other VPX components, and is especially well-suited to backplane racking applications,” Soppart adds. “Our Vita connectors come in variations with either one or two cavities. These versions of the product are called the VITA 66.4 and VITA 66.1, respectively, and each cavity can house either 12 or 24 fibres. “On top of engineering and supplying this product, we’ve also worked to make our lead times as short as possible to supply fibre-optic cable harnesses when needed, and provide customer support and extra services such as fibre-optic training on call.” Skycharge, a Berlin-based technology company, is enabling UAV automation with its patented contactbased charging, docking technology, and hangar systems. The company enables UAVs to autonomously land, recharge, and relaunch, eliminating the need for human intervention between operations. “Conductive charging functions reliably, with virtually zero current losses and in a very predictable way that ensures we can estimate how long a given charging process will take” explains Andrea Puiatti of Skycharge. However, traditional contact-based charging has long faced a critical safety challenge — exposure to water and debris can cause short circuits, leading to potential failures, fires, or even explosions. Skycharge’s patented technology introduces two innovations that make conductive charging safe and viable for April/May 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology SFMotorsporttechnik’s electric fuel-pump designs are optimised to fit tight constraints and severe environments Nicomatic’s VITA 66 standard connector
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