In this report, the firm Automotive and Transport Market Research Reportsprojects that the yearly value of AM manufactured parts in the UAV industry to reach $1.9 billion, driving over $400 million in yearly sales of Additive Fabrication equipment, software, materials and services.
The UAV Additive Manufacturing report also provides information on which companies and institutions in the space infrastructure industry are using Additive Fabrication today, with relevant case studies. Key firms in the UAV 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 material used for UAV 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. This report quantifies the projected value of additive manufactured parts and identifies the most commercially important technologies, materials and applications in 3D printing of UAV parts for prototyping, production and replacement.
The analysis includes ten-year forecasts of the materials, hardware, software and AM services, both in terms of demand and revenues. Granular geographic and part type information completes this first ever accurate study of the potential for AM in the rapidly evolving UAV industry, including defense, commercial and consumer applications.
General Atomics has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force for Block 5kits for the MQ-9 Reaper, just as the U.S. military begins to phase out the MQ-1 PredatorUnmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
The contract was announced Wednesday 3 by the U.S. Department of Defense, tapping General Atomics for Block 5 kits, in addition to other services worth more than $14.1 million under a cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract action, which is a modification on a previously awarded contract.
The UAVs are considered one of the primary weapons in U.S. counter terrorism strategy as both the Predator and the Reaper have strike capabilities, usually carrying a payload of AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles. The MQ-9 Reaper is a significantly upgraded version of the MQ-1 PredatorUAV, which is primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions (ISR).
The U.S. military has long planned the retirement of the MQ-1 Predator in favor of an all-MQ-9 Reaper fleet. The Air Force explained their reasoning to retire the Predator in February 2017, noting that the more modern MQ-9 Reaper has been better equipped with superior features and operational capabilities. Work on Block 5 kits for the contract will occur in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2021.
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.
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.
More and more, Additive Manufacturing is now seen as a complementary technology, as witnessed by the increased in hybrid printers that combine 3D Printing and CNC machining.
Now, Stratasys, one of the leading players in the 3D printing industry, is sharing some of that expertise via a new whitepaper titled "How Additive and Traditional Manufacturing Mix".
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
They have an exciting opportunity for a UAV Pilot at their El Mirage Facility near Palmdale,serving as PIC (Pilot-in-Command) of assigned UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles).
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
Currently they are looking for a Project Control Engineer to perform Mechanical Engineering Project Control activities on Unmanned Aircraft (UA) programs.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
They have an exciting career opportunity for a Staff Project Engineer in their DMSMS / Obsolescence Engineering Group located in Poway, CA. As their UAV/GCS platforms age, end-of-life from components through complete assemblies has become a critical issue that impacts their entire fleet.
GA-ASI has an exciting opportunity to work in their new DMSMS team to resolve these obsolescence issues across all customers and platforms. They are looking for experienced Project Engineers that are highly motivated, well organized, excellent communicators with strong technical skills to join them.
This position will coordinate with GA-ASI's Engineering Disciplines as well as Customer organizations to develop and implement mitigation strategies to system level obsolescence issues experienced by GA-ASI’s Unmanned Aerial Systems.
AMONG OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Overall management of complex technical projects from initiation to complete fielding of new or modified UAV systems and LRU's to ensure the continued supportability and viability of the systems.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
They have an exciting opportunity for a Systems Engineer in their Project Engineering group, to perform Systems Engineering activities on Unmanned Aircraft (UA) programs.
Under general direction, this position is responsible for coordinating flight operation efforts including mission planning, execution and briefing, debriefing, aircrew resource management and ground and flight safety. Serves as Mission Control Element (MCE) Sensor Operator (SO) of assigned Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs).
Among other Duties:
Operates the payload of the UAV in support of customer requirements
Instruct UAV Sensor Operators in ground and flight operations to ensure certifications are maintained and serves as a subject matter expert.
Among other Job Qualifications:
Six or more years of experience (or 2,000+ hours) in UAV operations or aviation.
Must demonstrate a detailed understanding of UAV and FAA principles, theories and concepts.
Detailed understanding of UAVs, tactical reconnaissance and aviation principles
The extensive use of UAVs by the US in Iraq and Afghanistan has raised debates over issues like civilian deaths, international law, efficacy of strikes and deterrence.
The Israeli Air Force used a weaponized drone, the Pioneer, in the 1982 war in Lebanon which impressed US for increased UAV procurement and research. Nineteen years after, the 9\11 terrorist attack created a new demand to hunt down terrorists in remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Today, the US uses three types of drones built by General Atomics with offensive capabilities: the MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-1C Sky Warrior, and the MQ-9 Reaper. The US military uses them in two broad ways: Reconnaissance and hunter-killer missions.
Drone surveillance and attack capabilities have been effective psychologically as fear keeps also plays a major part. While drone attacks are the most effective weapon against terrorism, its net effects are difficult to judge. The presence of armed drones is a reality of the modern battlefield, but only a limited group of countries has the technological ability to produce them or the military capacity to operate them.
Currently, US and China export armed drones, and Israel is in the vicinity. As Russia, Turkey, South Korea and others join the market, a surge in globally available systems for a fruitful market could lead to a new dangerous era.
For the Pentagon, it seems, drones are invaluable: The United States is looking to reduce its man presence in Afghanistan, and instead “the Air Force aims to double the number of drone squadrons over the next five years,” the Hindustan Times reports. Drones are already a major presence in Afghanistan in particular, and in US missions around the world at large. “In the wars we fight, this is the future,” said drone pilot Lt. Shaw, who operates out of the US Air Force drone base in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. The US doesn’t release detailed statistics of drone involvement in Afghanistan, but it is clear that they play a major role in operations in the country. (Read more)
The UK revealed on 21 March the extent of airstrikes being conducted against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria by Royal Air Force (RAF) General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). (Read more)
GA-ASI (General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.) ha anunciado que la Fuerza Aerea Italiana (ItAF) ha aceptado la entrega de dos últimos sistemas Predator que fabricará la compañía. Con esta entrega se cierran veinte años de historia de este legendario UAV, que ha sido utilizado para llevar a cabo una amplia gama de misiones ISR en todo el mundo.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has introduced a new sonobuoy capability for its MQ-9 Guardian maritime UAV which, alongside a number of other developing technologies, could make it a contender to help fill the UK’s maritime patrol gap.
While a requirement for a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) acquisition has yet to be released from the UK government, the developments that General Atomics is incorporating into the MQ-9 suggests that it will look to offer a modified Guardian to complement a manned MPA that is expected to be procured.
Other technology developments that the company is advancing include extended-range wings with external fuel tanks – something that has just been fielded with the US Air Force for the first time. The Guardian has a 1,000nm (1,850km) range and can stay on station for a further 10h, while the extended range variant has a 1,900nm range plus 10h on station.
Meanwhile, the company is developing a certifiable variant of the MQ-9 that will be able to fly in national airspace. This includes integration of the company’s detect and avoid Due Regard Radar system – for which it has been working with NASA and the US Federal Aviation Administration – into a modified MQ-9 nose, plus de-icing, lightning protection and a composite make-up similar to that on a Boeing 787.
A prototype of the detect and avoid system has just completed the third round of testing with NASA’s MQ-9-based Ikhana UAV, and testing using a certifiable system is expected to take place next year and be ready for certification in 2017.
El uso de las nuevas tecnologías de Manufactura Aditiva para fabricar UAVs es una tendencia que está cobrando cada vez mayor protagonismo tanto en el desarrollo de proyectos para uso militar como para otros proyectos de uso civil.
Las razones que están motivando esta migración tecnológica en ambos casos pueden resumirse en una muy simple: Ahorro. Desde el diseño hasta la fabricación, la manufactura aditiva permite obtener unos ahorros extraordinarios tanto en tiempo como en dinero, frente a lo que supondría optar por la manufactura tradicional.
Hoy en día numerosos gobiernos están utilizando la manufactura aditiva para llevar a cabo desarrollos en el sector aeroespacial y militar, hasta el punto de que existen ya buques de la US Navy que llevan a bordo Sistemas de Producción 3D para fabricar desde UAVs completos hasta utillajes de mantenimiento y otras piezas de uso final. Nada nuevo, si tenemos en cuenta que la USAF ya los venía utilizando desde hace varios años en la base Sheppard para el mantenimiento de ciertos conocidos UAVs fabricados por General Atomics.
Ahora, siguiendo el ejemplo de los EE.UU., la Fuerza Aerea Israelí (זרוע האויר והחלל) tambien quiere usar Sistemas de Producción 3D para fabricar UAVs y repuestos, y a tal efecto se han llevado a cabo las primeras pruebas en la base de Tel Nof, consiguiendo extraordinarios resultados en términos de ahorro de tiempo, ahorro de costes, y mantenimiento de la confidencialidad. Obviamente, la Fuerza Aerea Israelí habrá pensado en un primer momento utilizar esta tecnología para la fabricación digital directa de pequeños UAVs para misiones ISR, pero seguro que encontrarán muchas otras aplicaciones a medida que vayan usando la tecnología. Todo es cuestión de tiempo.
El pasado Jueves 13, la compañía General Atomics ha difundido la noticia de que su UAV Predator XP ha realizado con éxito un vuelo de prueba durante 40 horas a una altura de 10.000 pies (3.048 metros).
Este UAV derivado del MQ-1 y diseñado exclusivamente para misiones ISR, ha sido concebido como alternativa de cara al mercado exterior. Se cree que las primeras unidades irían destinadas a la fuerza aerea de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, pues ya en 2013, firmaron un contrato de 197 millones de dólares para adquirir este nuevo modelo.
Buscar, encontrar, leer, traducir y entender la información que se necesita conocer para invertir acertadamente en Impresión 3D, es un proceso largo y complicado que exige tiempo y esfuerzo. Consciente de esa necesidad, asesoro desde 2009 a empresarios y profesionales ayudándoles a encontrar la mejor solución para el desarrollo de cada proyecto.
Durante los últimos diez años, el mercado de UAVs ha experimentado un crecimiento exponencial. UAVs de uso civil y militar han venido entrando en escena como elementos de apoyo para las más variadas misiones. Basándonos en fuentes abiertas, hemos realizado un análisis del mercado actual de UAVs, y hemos determinado estas cinco empresas como las más destacadas a escala mundial:
1. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)
Boeing está presente desde hace años en el mercado de UAVs para uso militar. Entre sus últimos desarrollos ocupa un merecido lugar el UAV Phantom Eye, que destaca por su propulsión a base de hidrógeno que lo capacita para permanecer cuatro días sin repostar, a una altitud de 65.000 pies.
2. General Atomics
La compañía con sede en San Diego ha ganado una merecida buena fama y reputación gracias a su famoso UAV Predator, utilizado con extraordinario exito para operaciones ISR en Europa (Balcanes), Africa (Libia y Somalia) Oriente Medio (Afganistán, Irak, Iran, Pakistan, Yemen) y Extremo Oriente (Filipinas). El pasado año, la compañía firmó un contrato por valor de 197 millones de dólares con los Emiratos Arabes Unidos.
3. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)
Al igual que Boeing, Lockheed está desarrollando un UAV -el Stalker- que puede permanecer en el aire, sin repostar, durante varios días.
4. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)
Fundada en 1994, cuando Northrop (fundada en 1939) se fusionó con Grumman (fundada en 1929). Desde entonces Northrop Grumman ha ido ascendiendo con rapidez hasta convertirse en uno de los principales proveedores mundiales de equipamiento para la defensa. Entre sus desarrollos destaca el UAV HALE (High-Altitude Long-Endurance) RQ-4 Global Hawk.
5. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)
AeroVironment es la compañía responsable del desarrollo del UAV “Hummingbird” solicitado por El Pentágono. Un increible micro UAV que ofrece más de lo que pueda parecer a primera vista.
Durante el pasado mes de Diciembre el Pentágono ha dado curso a una lista de inversiones para 2015 que incluyen ciertas partidas relacionadas con UAVs. Vamos a verlas en detalle, ordenadas por fechas:
15 de Diciembre: $114,598,215 para General Atomics
General Atomics Aeronautical, Poway, California, was awarded an $114,598,215 modification (P00006) to contract W58RGZ-14-C-0008 to continue contractor logistics for the Warrior unmanned aircraft system. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $17,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 16, 2015. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and in Afghanistan. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
18 de Diciembre: $41,076,746 para Insitu
Insitu, Inc., Bingen, Washington, is being awarded a $41,076,746 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of three low rate initial production RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems. This award provides for the procurement of the air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, initial spares, and system engineering and program management. Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington, and is expected to be completed in January 2016. Fiscal 2014 procurement funds (Marine Corps) in the amount of $38,309,942 and fiscal 2015 research and development funds (Marine Corps) in the amount of $2,766,804 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR.6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-15-C-0033).
18 de Diciembre: $24,345,692 para Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Inc., Sierra Vista, Arizona, was awarded a $24,345,692 modification (P00028) to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract W58RGZ-13-C-0010 for Hunter unmanned aircraft system contractor logistics support. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $10,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 17, 2015. Work will be performed in Sierra Vista, Arizona (25 percent), and in Afghanistan (75 percent). Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal (Aviation), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
18 de Diciembre: $46,646,592 para Raytheon
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a $46,646,592 firm-fixed-price modification (P0006) to previously awarded contract FA8620-11-G-4050 for MQ-1 and MQ-9 support. Contractor will provide 32 multi-spectral targeting system-B turrets (TU), 32 MTS-B high definition electronic units (HDEUs), one lot of MTS-B shop replaceable units spares, 32 MTS-B TU containers, 32 MTS-B HDEU containers, and one lot of MTS support equipment. Work will be performed at McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2016. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2013 and 2014 procurement funds in the amount of $46,646,592 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
23 de Diciembre: $375,212,717 para General Atomics
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., doing business as GA-ASI, Poway, California, has been awarded a $375,212,717 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Predator (MQ1)/Reaper (MQ9) unmanned aerial systems contractor logistic support. Contractor will provide program management, logistics support, configuration management, technical manual and software maintenance, contractor field service representative support, inventory control point management, flight operations support, depot repair, and depot field maintenance. Work will be performed at Poway, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $83,228,020 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robbins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8528-15-C-0001).
23 de Diciembre: $11,831,173 para Navmar
Navmar Applied Sciences Corp.,* Warminster, Pennsylvania, is being awarded an $11,831,173 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N68335-14-C-0131) to extend a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research effort in support of the Copperhead Unmanned Air Systems, specifically Tigershark unmanned aerial vehicle. This effort includes the improvement of sensor and platform capabilities, sustainment and reset of current detachments in theater for the Tigershark UAV. Work will be performed in Afghanistan (50 percent); Patuxent River, Maryland (25 percent); and Yuma, Arizona (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2015. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $2,766,000 are being obligated on this award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
29 de Diciembre: $13,000,000 para Raytheon
Raytheon, Co., Woburn, Massachusetts, was awarded a $13,000,000 modification (P00025) to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract W9113M-13-C-0009 to support the Product Management Electro-Optic/Infrared Payloads-Force Protection Office for surveillance system supply and support for the rapid aerostat initial deployment configurations. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 30, 2015. Work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
