Unmanned Systems Technology - November 2014

Unmanned Systems Technology (UST) focuses entirely on the innovative engineering that’s successfully pushing boundaries on land, in the air, at sea and even through the universe. UST is unique – the first ever publication to focus entirely on providing independent coverage of the engineering at the heart of unmanned vehicles. It applies the same rigorous scientific approach to this brave new world as critically acclaimed Race Engine Technology magazine brings to the subject of racing powertrain technology.

Contents:

• Intro - This is an exciting time for the unmanned systems industry, given its scope as a open book for technological innovation 
• Platform one: Mission-critical info - Hydrogen pellets set to give a huge boost to UAV endurance, powerful microcontroller unveiled for complex machine intelligence, COTS safety-critical system for driverless trains, a magnesium alloy that doesn’t catch fire, and much more… 
• In conversation: Dr Donough Wilson - Ian Bamsey talks to innovative designer Dr Donough Wilson about his vision for the next generation of unmanned aircraft 
• Dossier: UAV Factory Penguin C - Ian Bamsey visits UAV Factory in Latvia to discover the secrets of the remarkable Penguin C 
• UST online - Full details on the easy way to fi nd new suppliers and stay up to date with the latest technological developments 
• Focus: Real-time operating systems - Nick Flaherty explains the issues around developing the essential software for safe, secure and reliable autonomous systems 
• Dossier: Hirth S1218 two-stroke twin - Ian Bamsey visits Hirth to investigate a state-of-the-art UAV engine that genuinely provides for multi-fuel operation 
• Insight: Airborne base stations - UAVs look set to take on a key role as comms base stations – once various engineering challenges have been overcome. Nick Flaherty reports 
• Dossier: The ASV Enduro-C - Ian Bamsey investigates an unmanned craft that can operate at sea for months at a time, thanks partly to a sophisticated propulsion system 
• Focus: Composites - Composites are a natural fi t for unmanned systems. David Cooper explains how the materials are made and used 
• Insight: Datacomms - Wide-area comms links will be needed if unmanned systems are to work together. Nick Flaherty reports on strategies to enable this 
• PS: The driverless racecar - Is there scope for a driverless racecar? UST asks the experts – and gets some fascinating answers…