Unmanned Systems Technology 033 l SubSeaSail Gen6 USSV l Servo actuators focus l UAVs insight l Farnborough 2020 update l Transforma XDBOT l Strange Development REVolution l Radio telemetry focus

6 Mission-critical info for UST professionals Platform one Elistair has redesigned its tethering system for UAVs to increase the weight of unmanned aircraft and their payloads it can support (writes Nick Flaherty). The Safe-T 2 extends up to 125 m and weighs 10.5 g/m. The redesign boosts the power supply to a UAV to 2200 W continuous and 2800 W peak, and adds IP54 protection for use in harsh environments. This higher power supports faster motor speeds to carry the additional weight of the longer tether and fly higher without reducing the payload. More than 600 of Elistair’s tethered UAV systems have been deployed to help monitor events, secure sites and protect assets. The new system is compatible with 50 commercial UAVs. The secure, dual comms system uses a fibre optic cable and broadband-over- powerline to provide either a redundant tethered data link or the choice of link best suited to the aircraft or payload. Elistair’s brake system (described in UST 21, August/September 2018) allows the user to adapt the maximal tether length according to the safety zone needed, such as in urban or crowded environments, and to wind it in manually if necessary. Like its predecessor, the Safe-T 2 integrates Elistair’s live flight management system. Alongside physical mounting plates, the Safe-T 2 has an optional software development kit for seamless integration into vehicle systems and fixed structures while also being agile enough for use by a single operator. The interchangeable micro-tethers and adaptive winch control algorithms allow the operator to reconfigure the station and use the best tether weight/power range for the different UAVs that may be used. Airborne vehicles Tether adds weight factor Elistair has boosted the power system to increase the height of its tethered UAV system August/September 2020 | Unmanned Systems Technology