Author - Pamela

13Dec

Raytheon Announces Block 2 Update for Coyote tube-launched UAS

Recently, Raytheon announced the development of a “Block 2” update of the Coyote, a tube-launched unmanned aircraft system (UAS) it acquired more than two years ago. The aim is to produce a low-cost, multi-mission-capable air vehicle that users ultimately dispose of once it completes a mission. “We do recover and reuse them in our development work. However, for operational use and purposes, it is meant to be disposable or ‘attritable’. It’s meant to be a one-time platform just like a Tomahawk missile,” said John Hobday, Raytheon’s Coyote business development lead. “The difference is that we are approaching the Coyote platform not only as a disposable, but as a low-cost system. That’s part of the disruptive nature of what we’re trying to do with this platform—to create this low-cost appliance, if you will.”  

History of Coyote UAS

Originally, a company named Advanced Ceramic Research, of Tucson, Arizona, developed the Coyote, Manta and Silver Fox UAS under small business contracts from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR). Defense contractor BAE Systems acquired the company in 2009, then sold it back to one of the former owners under the name Sensintel. Raytheon acquired Sensintel in 2015 and folded the company into its Tucson-based Missile Systems business. The 13-pound, propeller-driven air vehicle, features foldout tandem wings and tail fins. It deploys from a standard A-size sonobuoy tube with a parachute, or from a pneumatic ground box launcher. Potential missions include using the Coyote fitted with sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as a communications relay, an electronic warfare asset or a loitering munition. Another scenario envisions multiple Coyotes working cooperatively as a drone swarm. The Coyote is larger and carries a four-pound payload. This is more than available from the similar AeroVironment Switchblade, a six-pound flying munition and ISR platform; and the four-pound Lockheed Martin Vector Hawk, a canister-launched drone that has deployed from an autonomous underwater vehicle.  

Coyote UAS Updates

Raytheon (Chalet 294, Static B8) is redesigning the Coyote to incorporate a turbine engine for high-speed applications, in addition to the current battery-powered pusher propeller approach, Hobday said. The manufacturer’s focus is to maintain a common airframe which can launch from the ground, a ship or an aircraft. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) used the Coyote as a sensing platform to conduct hurricane research. The agency first deployed the small UAS in a hurricane in September 2014 when it launched the Coyote from a Lockheed WP-3D Orion turboprop into the eye of Hurricane Edouard. The Lockheed Martin C-130 and Cessna Caravan have also served as launch platforms for the Coyote, Hobday said. Under an ONR future naval capability program, Raytheon is working to introduce it on the Boeing P-8A Poseidon antisubmarine warfare aircraft, a derivative of the 737-800 airliner. Work also continues with NOAA and the four U.S. military services, Hobday said. He declined to comment on a report in specialist defense journal Janes earlier this year, based on an interview with Raytheon executives, that the U.S. Army has asked the company to develop the Coyote as a counter-UAS asset to intercept rogue drones. “All of the various iterations of the Coyote airframe are driven by customer requirements,” Hobday said. “This is a system that we can very rapidly modify for emerging missions to meet new requirements that our various Department of Defense customers have for different types of missions, different concepts of operation.” He added: “Always the intent is a very low-cost, commoditized ‘truck’ that is disposable at the end of whatever its defined mission is.”
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12Dec

Choosing the Optimal Propeller Blade

To choose the optimal drone propeller blade, the user should consider a number of factors. Drone propeller blades have a significant influence on power and affect how smoothly a drone flies. As such, flight efficiency is one of the most important considerations. It begs the question, how will new drone propeller blades improve the flight efficiency of your multi-rotor UAV? When selecting new drone propeller blades, the following factors are important considerations:  

Number & Size of Blades

The number of blades required per propeller will vary depending on the platform, usage and payload requirements. Drones for racing and acrobatics most frequently use smaller blades, under eight inches. Smaller blades are generally paired with smaller motors with high kV ratings. Larger blades, over eight inches, are paired with motors that have low kV ratings. These blades are used to carry heavier payloads, such as video equipment or spraying containers for agriculture.  

Pitch

Pitch is defined as the traveling distance per a single revolution of the propeller. The correct pitch will often depend on the specific application for a UAV platform. Lower pitch often results in more torque and less turbulence for lifting. As a result, the motors do not have to work as hard to carry heavy payloads. And, since the motors draw less current from the battery, it results in increased flight time. Propellers with higher pitches move more air but generally create more turbulence and less torque.  

Diameter

Typically, a larger diameter propeller blade allows greater contact with the air. This relates directly to flight efficiency, as a small increase or decrease in diameter can change how efficiently a drone performs. In comparison to smaller propellers, larger propellers tend to provide more stability when hovering. However, smaller propeller blades require less effort to speed up or slow down than larger ones. This makes smaller blades more responsive than larger propellers. Smaller propellers with a high pitch are better suited for fast and quick maneuvers. Larger propellers with low pitches are more appropriate for carrying heavier payloads and aerial video cameras.  

Additional considerations

  • Blade material
  • Power
  • RPM
  • Air density
  • Maximum noise
In summary, selecting the most appropriate propeller blades depends on the planned use as well as additional factors. Understanding how propeller blades effect drone performance helps remove some of the guess work.

Shop KDE Direct's line of propeller blades at Unmanned Systems Source.

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11Dec

Free, Open-to-Public Online Drone Operation Course Available through Embry-Riddle Worldwide

Embry-RiddleEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus will once again offer a free, two-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on drone operation called Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Key Concepts for New Users. Scheduled to run from Jan. 22 to Feb. 4, the open-to-all course covers everything new users need to know in order to safely operate personal drones.  

Class Details

Participants will learn about equipment, airspace, legal requirements and flight planning tools, as well as how to step up to the next level and become commercial drone operators. “We have had consistently great feedback about this course,” said Dr. Kristy Kiernan, who is the lead educator for the class. “We are especially excited about the updates and changes we have made to reflect the most up-to-the-minute information in this rapidly changing part of aviation.” The instructors for the class include full-time Embry-Riddle faculty members and experts from the unmanned aircraft systems industry. Embry-Riddle has offered this MOOC annually since 2015. “One of the strengths of this class, and of Embry-Riddle in general, is the partnership we have with industry,” Dr. Kiernan said. “Our students get the best academic experience, plus the benefit of contact with real-world challenges.”  

Registration Details

Registration for the sUAS MOOC begins Dec. 11 at worldwide.erau.edu/massive-open-online-courses. The next upcoming MOOC offered by Embry-Riddle Worldwide will be:
  • Aviation Maintenance (Feb. 26 to March 11)- A free, two-week course covers aircraft maintenance, inspections and how to effectively manage global challenges facing the industry. Participants will learn about the different types of maintenance and inspection classes, as well as how to integrate safety into daily operations, while also maintaining efficiency. Instructors for the class include full-time Embry-Riddle faculty members and experts from the aviation industry. Registration for the Aviation Maintenance MOOC begins Jan. 15.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a bachelor’s degree in specializing in Unmanned Aircraft Systems at its Daytona Beach and Prescott, AZ campuses, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Unmanned Systems Applications and a master’s degree in Unmanned Systems through its online Worldwide campus. Embry-Riddle also offers professional development courses.
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07Dec

Drones Over the Arctic: solar-powered drone captures energy and soars

The race to develop vehicles powered by clean energy is well on its way. Currently, electric and hybrid cars are readily available on the market. As for drones, most already rely on "clean energy" in the form of lipo batteries, to operate. Solar energy is one sector, however, where exploration is still in its infancy. Recently,  researchers from the Autonomous Systems Laboratory and Glaciologists from ETH Zurich collaborated on a special project: Sun2Ice. The goal? Develop a solar-powered drone and test its ability to monitor glaciers over the vast expanse of the Arctic. Given the size and immensity of glacial landscapes, the challenge for scientists was designing a vehicle that offered extended flight times. To accomplish this, the team looked to harness the power of the sun. The end result was AtlantikSolar, a UAV equipped with solar panels that allowed it to stay aloft for days.  

An ideal testing ground

In terms of finding an optimal place to test this developmental craft, the Polar Regions -- with its continuous daylight -- proved ideal. The research team hoped to use the midnight sun to create perpetual unmanned flight conditions. And, thus, provide the UAV the endurance required to survey the vast landscape. Guillaume Jouvert, a Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology senior researcher, and Thomas Stastney, a PHD student in Autonomous systems at ETH Zurich, lead the project. They put together two teams from their respective fields to attempt that goal.  

Countdown to Take Off

As can be expected with any event that requires the weather to play nice, things didn’t quite go according to plan. But the results of the test still provided some useful insight. Qaanaa, a small town in Northwestern Greenland, served as the epicenter. This test location is surrounded by several calving glaciers, accessible by plane, yet still well connected. Tests were to occur in June 2017. However, when the team arrived a takeoff and landing spot identified months earlier, was no longer viable. The UAV's payload included a ground-facing camera and additional sensitive equipment. Rough landings were out of the question. So began a week of feverish work to create a suitable landing site for the UAV. Additional delays included heavy fog that lasted for several days. Despite the setbacks, clear skies opened up at the end of June. The tests could finally start. The first test flight for AtlantikSolar’s was a 24-hour circular trip. The solar-powered craft took off on June 20. Unfortunately, 12-hours into the flight, the test was cut short as thick fog returned to the region. Still, the team collected vital data. Remarkably, despite poor sunlight and stronger than expected winds, battery levels were still high, at 60 percent. The data suggested that AtlantikSolar was on pace to achieve 20-hours of uninterrupted flight, despite the poor weather conditions. The data also suggested that 24-hour continuous flight time was achievable given the right conditions. Additionally, the results convinced researchers that the drone was ready to begin surveying glaciers. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t done yet.  

Solar-powered drone

It wasn't until July 3 that the weather cleared for the second launch. AtlantikSolar approached its first glacier less than two hours after take-off. The UAV captured images of the calving front of Bowdoin Glacier  despite winds of up to 15 m/s buffeting the unmanned aircraft. AtlantikSolar successfully returned to Qaanaaq after 5-hours of flight covering 230km. The drones’ battery still retained nearly a full charge, showing the true potential of solar-powered UAVs. In addition, the team discovered the beginnings of a break forming at the front of the large glacier. AtlantikSolar’s mapping information allowed glaciologists to visit Bowdoin in time and monitor the cracks progression until it finally broke away. Beyond surveying the arctic, solar-powered drones have tremendous application potential. Geographic locations which enjoy long periods of uninterrupted sunshine are particularly applicable. Solar-powered UAVs, like AtlantikSolar, are low-cost vehicles with the added benefit of using renewable energy. The results achieved by Guillaume and Thomas along with their respective teams show that harnessing the power of the sun to power vehicles is feasible in the right conditions. Of course, there is a need for additional research and development before such vehicles become commonplace. But, with the promising results achieved by AtlantikSolar, it seems like solar-powered drones are well on their way.  
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30Nov

Schmidt Ocean Institute Collaborates with Latitude Engineering

We know more about the universe than we do about the oceans. As such, it is no surprise that researchers are looking for new ways to understand the ocean. Of particular interest is the sea surface microlayer (SML) which is identified as the top 1 millimeter of the ocean surface.  

Removing the mystery

The SML is where all gas exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean occurs. However, the processes that control carbon dioxide transport and transformation in oceans remain largely unknown. To better understand the overall health of the ocean, scientists need to model the transfer of gases between the atmosphere and the ocean. Such a model would allow for the creation of regional and global budgets of carbon, nutrients and pollutants. When waves break on the surface of the ocean, mixing occurs. This allows gas from the atmosphere to enter the water and water from the ocean to enter the atmosphere. Scientists know a lot about mixing at wind speeds between 6 and 30 knots. However, there is still much to discover at lower speeds.  

Flat water working conditions

The SML is an oily film which is more prevalent when the water is calm. In flat water conditions it is fair to suspect that the micro-layer suppresses waves and decreases mixing. This is why the science team on the R/V Falkor journeyed to the flat water conditions found off the coast of Darwin, Australia. One reason so little is known about the SML is that the mere presence of the boat disturbs the microlayer, making it nearly impossible to get accurate, untainted data. Studying this microlayer entails a few challenges. Research vessels must travel far out into the ocean to find flat water conditions. And, once there, the research equipment must operate away from the boat to get undisturbed Microlayer data. So, how does a researcher collect ample undisturbed SML data and not blow the budget? Enter Latitude and the HQ-60's real-world-tested VTOL capabilities.  

HQ-60 hybrid VTOL

Based on previous work with NOAA and the R/V Oscar Elton Sette off the coast of Hawaii, the Latitude team was up to the task. The unique design of the HQ-60 enables vertical take off and landing. Thus, the small footprint of the R/V Falkor was not an issue. Furthermore, HQ-60 operators programmed the vehicle to perform a specific flight pattern at various elevations. This program ensured that the vehicle could replicate the pattern as often as needed. The HQ-60's maximum payload capacity of 20 lbs. put the researcher’s skills to the test. However, three years of effort culminated in a custom design which fit into the HQ-60’s payload bay.  

Payload choice

Researchers selected Hyperspectral cameras to record varying colors of the water in high wavelength resolution. By correlating ocean colors with the chemical and biological composition of the samples, the team linked oceanic processes with the color spectrum of seawater. With this information, researchers can use satellite imagery to calibrate ocean color and connect them to specific biochemical processes. The HQ-60, can map vast ocean areas with no disturbance. Plus, the HQ-60 performed these operations at very little cost and at unprecedented speed, rate and efficiency.  

The operation

The team prepped the HQ-60 and, using its VTOL systems, launched from a 40 foot by 40 foot area. Once it autonomously transitioned to forward flight, the aircraft remained near the ship as system functionality Upon completion of the system check, the aircraft traveled up to 6 miles away to take readings of the SML over undisturbed water. Typically, data collection operations lasted 3 hours. Once completed, the aircraft traveled back to the ship, completed a final systems check and landed on the deck of the Falkor. The unique design of the HQ-60 --  with its compact size, payload capacity and flight endurance -- makes it a reliable solution for a variety of missions. Find out more about Latitude Engineering's HQ-40 and HQ-60 at Unmanned Systems Source.
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28Nov

Phase One Aerial 100MP and 50MP Cameras Fully Integrated with DJI M600 and M600 Pro

Recently, Phase One Industrial announced full integration of its iXU and iXU-RS aerial cameras with DJI’s M600 and M600 Pro drones. Phase One Industrial was the first to deliver 100-megapixel medium format aerial cameras. Built using DJI’s SDK, this is the latest drone platform supported by Phase One Industrial. From photogrammetry to critical infrastructure monitoring, Phase One continues to innovate inspection tools capable of addressing diverse aerial imaging applications.  

DJI M600 and M600 Pro Integration

The integration with DJI’s M600 and M600 Pro platforms is already delivering high quality results. “The Phase One Industrial IXU camera with the DJI M600 drone, delivered extraordinary results,” said UAV Flight Systems Manager Tobias Wentzler, Lufthansa Aerial Services. “We achieved millimeter per pixel accuracy. This allowed us to inspect in exquisite detail and lift our mission results and accuracy to a new, high-end level. We identified the subtlest cracks or imperfections that were not visible to conventional inspection methods.” Phase One Industrial’s continuous efforts to identify and develop aerial imaging solutions meet the exacting needs of aerial imaging professionals in diverse markets. “When our clients hire us, they expect the best,” said Ron Chapple, CEO of Aerial Filmworks. “With the new Phase One Industrial aerial cameras integrated with DJI drones, Aerial Filmworks can deliver the robust performance, highest resolution and finest image quality to support our clients’ cinematic projects. “GEO1, the survey division of Aerial Filmworks, a solutions-driven provider in the electric and gas/oil marketplace, also benefits from this development. Now, we have the right solution to help satisfy our clients’ requirements for the high resolution data and flight efficiencies.”  

Phase One Aerial Camera Integration

Phase One Industrial iXU and iXU-RS aerial cameras’ integration with DJI M600 and M600 Pro drone systems include:
  • 100MP and 50MP metric aerial cameras
  • Smart triggering of the camera by waypoints / fixed distance / fixed time
  • Support for mission planning applications (such as DJI Ground Station pro) – for waypoints missions
  • Geo-tagging of all files’ location and gimbal position
  • Dual remote controllers (drone and camera) enable each operator (UAV pilot and camera operator) to focus on their respective mission goals
  • Industrial-grade build of the camera and aerial lenses, all of which are designed specifically for tough use in harsh environments.
The integration also provides a new iX Capture Mobile application for iOS, featuring an intuitive, user-friendly interface, and support for total remote control of the camera. iX Capture Mobile was designed using the DJI open platform development tools, and offers various operating modes, including:
  • Video Streaming
  • Auto or Manual Capture settings to determine the values of the ISO, shutter speed and aperture
  • Auto capture mode to enable image capturing by waypoints, fix distance or by time intervals
  • Camera control via DJI Lightbridge 2 dials.
 

Aerial Camera Specs

Phase One Industrial’s iXU and iXU-RS series of high-resolution, metric cameras are known for their precision imaging (offering sensor resolution from 50 to 100 megapixels), small size and low weight (from 1.25 kg). These industrial-grade cameras offer direct integration with many other UAV manufacturers. In addition, they support the workflows of many leading image post processing software, such as Pix4D, Agisoft, SimActive, and others. Designed to capture images with superior accuracy and quality, Phase One Industrial aerial cameras cover larger aerial surfaces in less time. This means less flight time needed for efficient flying. Operators can enjoy both unprecedented visibility and a lower cost by utilizing drones rather than traditional airplane or helicopter methods. In addition, using drones offers improved worker safety across many dynamic and challenging environments. Such environments, include: power line monitoring, inspection of wind turbines, railways, roads, bridges and other civil engineering jobs.  

Pricing and Availability

Phase One iXU and iXU-RS series camera systems, now with full support for DJI M600 and M600 Pro drones, are now available. Camera package prices begin from $29,000 (complete with integration kit and lens). For more information, please contact us.
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