Uncrewed Systems Technology 061 April/May 2025

• Intro - The growing demands of military, nuclear, logistics and transport industries are pushing uncrewed systems R&D harder than ever before
• Platform one: Mission-critical info - UAVs in forest fire monitoring get boosted by solar gas sensors and charging pods; an mmWave radar system that enables UAVs to self-localise indoors and in the dark; an autonomous SWATH vessel for carrying UAVs and AUVs into Arctic waters; and more
• In conversation: Prof. Barry Lennox - Nuclear inspections and surveys are dangerous not only for humans, but uncrewed systems too. We talk to a leading expert on how carefully-engineered robots are making a difference
• Dossier: LOXO Alpha & Digital Driver - Consummate expertise in bleeding-edge AI tech and functional safety are how LOXO’s Alpha self-driving van and Digital Driver technology are transforming European road logistics
• Focus: Lidar - On land, air and sea, Lidar is bigger than ever. We go through the many types, components, and applications of this mission-critical sensor technology
• Digest: RigiTech Eiger UAS - We dive into how this Swiss tech house managed to engineer its UAV and its cloud for the precise needs of logistics stakeholders, first in Europe, and now worldwide
• In operation: Seasats Lightfish USV - Crossing the Pacific with a big, expensive vessel is one thing; can it be done with a small, low-price one? A Lightfish USV from Seasats is doing just that
• Dossier: Alpha-Otto REV Force - We explore the balance of core and ancillary parts enabling this engine’s low-temperature combustion, and its efficiency with (and easy switching between) different fuels
• Insight: UGVs - UGVs are becoming workhorses in myriad applications, and their manufacturers are right-sizing and optimising them accordingly
• Focus: Motor controllers - As industries start deploying fleets of uncrewed systems, better and more energy-efficient motor controllers are crucial
• Report: XPONENTIAL Europe 2025 - The launch of a European AUVSI XPONENTIAL trade show surpassed all expectations. Our report gives a taste of what was on offer
• Digest: ISS Aerospace Sensus L UAV - We unpack a heavy-lift multicopter, purpose-built in the UK to carry weighty data-gathering payloads for serious industrial users
• PS: Replacing lost insects - Uncrewed systems can now supplement or replace shrinking insect populations as vital environmental pollinators. Here’s how