Extreme Drone Piloting

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China unveils its answer to the Reaper

After modifying it for certain missions, China has started commercial production of its deadliest UAV: an UAV named CH-5, able to fly for up to 120 hours, and that many experts believe it could be a rival to the Reaper. The initial output of this UAV will be relatively small: 10-20 units a year, and it is unlikely to exceed 20 due to the size and sophistication of the aircraft. Regarding weapons payload, this UAV can carry up to 16 air-to-ground missiles.

The CH-5 can be operated by an undergraduate student with basic knowledge of aviation after only one or two days of training, according to state media reports. This is because of the simplicity of its user interface, and the fact that operations like the take-off and landing can be automated. The UAV can also be modified to become a low-cost airborne early warning system, or equipped with high-tech sensors such as wall and ground-penetrating radars developed by China.

Summarizing: with the commercial production of the CH-5, China could be ready to offer international buyers a heavy military UAV with many features comparable to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, but at around half the cost.

Impresión 3D para UAVs impresionantes

Una de las tecnologías de fabricación de UAVs que están experimentando un mayor crecimiento en estos últimos años es la Impresión 3D, que está demostrando dia tras día su capacidad de aportar múltiples beneficios en lo que se refiere a la fabricación de series cortas de piezas, aptas para uso final.

Entre algunas de sus mayores ventajas se encuentra la versatilidad, ya que una sola impresora es capaz de producir infinidad de productos muy realistas hechos totalmente a medida, aportando a los departamentos de diseño una amplia flexibilidad y personalización en su trabajo.

En este webinar abordaremos los factores clave a la hora de obtener piezas de UAVs para coleccionismo que ofrezcan un aspecto similar al producto final.  Un webinar dirigido a todos aquellos fans de los UAVs a escala que quieran descubrir todas las facilidades que puede aportarles la impresión 3D en la fabricación de sus réplicas, y conocer las claves para obtener un UAV totalmente realista.

Enlace para inscribirse:

http://integralplm.com/es/eventos/

Additive manufacturing in UAVs: Challenges and potential

UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are gaining popularity due to their application in military, private and public sector, especially being attractive for fields where human operator is not required.

Light-weight UAVs are more desirable as they have better performance in terms of shorter take-off range and longer flight endurance. However, light weight structures with complex inner features are hard to fabricate using conventional manufacturing methods.

The ability to print complex inner structures directly without the need of a mould gives Additive Manufacturing (AM) an edge over conventional manufacturing. Recent development in composite and multi-material printing opens up new possibilities of printing lightweight structures and novel platforms like flapping wings with ease.

This paper explores the impact of additive manufacturing on aerodynamics, structures and materials used for UAVs. The review will discuss state-ofthe-art

AM technologies for UAVs through innovations in materials and structures and their advantages and limitations. The role of additive manufacturing to improve the performance of UAVs through smart material actuators and multi-functional structures will also be discussed.

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Additive manufacturing techniques for millimeter-wave components

Additive Manufacturing technology has made significant advances in terms of materials, tolerances, and surface finishes.

The technique is becoming more common in science and industry. Since it has proven effective in constructing small parts with fine features, 3D Printing is well suited for improving upon the manufacturing processes of millimeter-wave components.

This paper explores the approach specifically applied to waveguide components produced using two different additive manufacturing approaches. Work is also being done to fabricate parts via additive manufacturing techniques in-house at General Atomics.

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AUHSD Teams with Tesla Foundation for UAS Education

The Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) is the first public school district in the nation to partner with the Tesla Foundation to provide students with training to successfully work in the emerging technology field of unmanned aviation, or drones.

A nonprofit science and technology think tank, the Tesla Foundation is launching its initiative beginning at Magnolia High School with after-school programs featuring FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved curriculum, equipment, and Drone Flight Simulation Kits.

The foundation’s goal is to identify and develop a “farm system” of young talent that can be future innovators and entrepreneurs in the unmanned systems industry. “We are excited to partner with the District in this most critical endeavor,” said Keith Coleman, chief strategy officer of the foundation. “Our focus is looking at the future of jobs and the future of work. Automation and the disruption that it will bring is real, yet while jobs will be lost, there will be lots of new opportunities in the (new) field of aerial robotics. Through this partnership, we will help move the needle forward for underrepresented students who may not otherwise have a pathway to these experiences. The Tesla Foundation sees critical thinking and access to technology as the democratization of opportunity.”

Trustee Al Jabbar thanked Superintendent Mike Matsuda for making the connection that led to the partnership. He also thanked the Tesla Foundation for “recognizing that AUHSD is at the cutting edge in preparing students for the 21st Century workforce. Once parents and the community learn about how this partnership promotes innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship in an emerging STEAM field, I know they will be as enthusiastic as we are.” The Tesla Foundation estimates that the economic impact of drones will be $82 billion within the first decade of their operational integration into the national airspace system. Drone industries leverage many key technologies, including cybersecurity, sensors, data analytics, aeronautics, aviation, Additive Manufacturing, precision agriculture, first responders, geospatial information, and simulation.

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Additive Manufacturing for the Drone/UAV Industry 2017-2027

In this report, the firm Research and Markets projects that the yearly value of Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) industry to reach $1.9 billion, driving over $400 million in yearly sales of AM equipment, software, materials and services.

The Drone AM report also provides information on which companies and institutions in the space infrastructure industry are using additive manufacturing today, with relevant case studies. Key firms in the drone AM segment include: Boeing, CRP Group, DJI, EHANG, EOS, General Atomics, HP, Hubsan, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oxford Performance Materials (OPM), Parrot, Ricoh,  Stratasys, 3D Systems and 3DR.

The report includes an in-depth analysis of the materials used for drone AM prototyping and production, which takes into consideration both high performance polymers and metals as well as composites, ceramics and technologies for direct 3D printing of electronics.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7mvrn7/additive