Uncrewed Systems Technology 067 April/May 2026
- Intro - Despite the relentless push for autonomy in the sphere of uncrewed vehicles, good communications and connectivity tech remain vital components of ongoing advancements
- Platform one: Mission-critical info - A driverless car for personal use, full 3D printing of electric motors, wirelessly powering UAVs in flight, software for coordinating a fleet of autonomous air and ground systems and more
- In conversation: Mario Paniccia - A pioneer of silicon photonics sheds light on the application of such technology to high-speed data transmission
- Dossier: MooVita MooBus-7 - This Singaporean mobility company is driving ahead in the development and delivery of safe, self-driving public transport buses across Asia, but it’s not just stopping there
- Focus: Data/connections - The need for reliable communication and safe data transmission for UAS is driving technological advances in many fields
- Digest: Censys Sentaero UAV - We unpack the range of safety-critical engineering and innovation that allows Censys Technologies to fly asset inspection missions using its fixed-wing UAV
- Report: UMEX 2026 - The 2026 Unmanned Systems Exhibition took place in Abu Dhabi, and we report on the latest defence-oriented technologies showcased at the event’s largest edition to date
- Dossier: H3X HPDG-30 hybrid - Undaunted by the challenges associated with electrifying aircraft power systems, H3X has developed its customisable, turnkey hybrid powertrain ready for batch manufacturing in 2027
- Insight: UGVs - We round up some of new tech enterprises and established companies from other fields vying to provide autonomous uncrewed systems on and off-road
- Focus: Propellers - Recent conflicts and the advent of Part 108 regulations are inspiring the development of a new generation of propellers optimised for end-user needs
- In operation: Lemvos LM450 USV & DockMaster - This German company developed its own system for autonomously mooring and recharging its USVs, which is now enabling CONOPS across civilian and defence applications
- In operation: Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor - Search and rescue missions in a combat zone are highly dangerous. We report on the Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor UAV that has been designed specifically to complement crewed platforms in such operations
- PS: Microwave weapons - Developers and operators of UAS must continually strive to counter technologies that threaten existing capabilities and lines of development, such as high-power microwave weapons