Date post: | 25-May-2015 |
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Technology |
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Civilian usage of long range UAVs:
today, tomorrow and beyond Shai Shilo, Remote Technology Solutions Pty Ltd
Introduction
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• Presentation is aimed at a high level, no detailed analysis.
• Some information is my own perspective and may be different to information provided by other presenters.
• The use of long-range civilian UAVs is still new – some of the information presented here is “best guess”.
• Photos and videos used are in the public domain and/or permission was granted to use materials.
• Some background information is commercial in confidence so apologies for not being specific in places.
• I will showcase some products but my intent is not to promote any specific company.
Disclaimer
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Civilian usage of long-range UAVs
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Technology improvements (as an enabler) • Batteries, frames, motors, autopilots, etc.
• The ‘eBay Drone’ (or how easy it is to build a drone)
• Super drones
Constraints: barriers to entry • Safety and Privacy
• Regulation (UAV and RF)
• Costs / Business case
Logistics and economic considerations • Runways / hangars / other equipment / fuel / maintenance
• Crews / Training
• Hidden costs
Future opportunities and applications • LIDAR, FLIR, Multi-spectral sensors,
• Examples of current and future uses
What is a long range UAV?
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Beyond visual range
Technology improvements
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• Not long ago, UAVs have only been available to the military.
• It is relatively easy and not very costly to buy or build a long range UAV (or convert
a model airplane to a fully autonomous UAV).
• Components required to build a UAV are readily available:
• Frames, Batteries, Motors, Receivers, Controllers
• Autopilots / Flight controllers
• Open source software and hardware developments
• Prices are continuously decreasing while specifications and variety are increasing.
• There are now numerous online stores that provide UAV components and systems
• Bottom Line: It is getting easier and easier to get UAVs to fly further and longer.
• Challenge
• build a fully functional Quadcopter from components that I can source online and in hobby shops. I call it the ‘eBay drone’.
Components of an ‘eBay Drone’
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- Fully autonomous - Waypoint navigation - Range of safety features (incl. RTL, batt. low, etc.)
Model aircraft conversion
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There are many examples of using modified remote control airplane in low-cost, long range and applications.
ConservationDrones.org seeks to share knowledge of building and using low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles for conservation-related applications with conservation workers and researchers worldwide, especially those in developing countries.
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Super Heron
Long range, long endurance
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• A wide range of both military and commercial UAVs available on the market for long range and long endurance applications.
• The Super Heron HF (Heavy Fuel)
• Launched: Feb 2014 at the
Singapore Airshow
• Power: 200hp diesel engine
• Top speed: 150 knots
• Endurance: up to 48 hours
• Range: up to 1,000 kms
• Max. Altitude: 30,000 ft
• Price: ~ USD 80M
Dominator UAV – aircraft conversion
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The scalability challenge
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Local operations
Line of sight (eye)
Short range / endurance
Limited payloads
Low Cost / Commercially viable
Remote operations
Beyond line of sight (radio)
Long range / endurance
Large payloads
High Cost / Commercially not viable
Need something in between!
vs.
Hundreds of different models are available in the market today:
• Multiple sizes and configurations
• Range and Endurance (typically 5 to 12 hours, 10 to >100kms)
• Power options
(petrol, diesel or electrical)
• Payload capacity and options
• Communications systems
• Weather capabilities
Some come from military but there are many that are not
Long range medium and tactical UAVs
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• Generally focused (not just resource industry).
• There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution.
• Dependant on specific applications.
• Different users will have different considerations.
• New technology attracts much scrutiny.
• Regulation is main constraint, but there are others.
Constraints: barriers to entry
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CASA is the responsible body in Australia • Current legislation does not restrict operation beyond line of sight (but CASA approval still required)
• Focus on safety and regulation to protect other aircraft and people on the ground
• Difference between operating in remote / urban areas.
• CASA is interested in ensuring hardware, software, communications systems and human factors are safe and fit for purpose.
Regulatory requirements (CASA)
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Challenge to CASA …
Witches on broomsticks
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Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the responsible body in Australia • Bandwidth allocation.
• Compliance with radio usage.
• Interference issues.
• Registration of equipment and systems.
• Guidelines for usage.
Regulatory requirements (RADIO)
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• CASA safety considerations: • Towards other aircraft.
• Towards people on the ground.
• Fly-aways and crashes.
• Mine / site requirements (OH & S) • Flying in vicinity of operations and personnel.
• Safety assessments (operators not familiar with site).
• Crashes • Recovery and access issues if UAV crashes in land owned by
others.
• Threat of fire from combustible engines.
• Terrorism and sabotage
Safety considerations
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• As always, this is a contentious issue • Not covered in detail in this presentation
• CASA regulations do not address privacy issues.
• Less of an issue flying over remote areas than populated areas.
• Will be more of an issue as the use of UAVs becomes more prevalent.
Privacy issues
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• Long range UAVs require significant investments • Total cost of ownership: • UAV and associated equipment (comms, mobile GCS, etc.)
• Fleet of UAVs?
• Safety (costs)
• Logistics
• Personnel (operators, support staff, FIFO)
• Scalability (multiple sites)
• Weather conditions
• Accuracy of gathered information
• Post processing of data
Costs / Business case
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Logistics and economic considerations
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Tactical long-range UAVs • Order of magnitude less than large military UAVs.
• Include innovative features for power, take off and landing.
VTOL fixed wing UAV
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Delivery drones for e-commerce
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Why this will NOT happen any time soon … even though there has been much hype in the media recently:
• Safety and regulation In flight On ground
• Not scalable (needs to be 100% autonomous, distance is limited)
• Payload capacity limitations.
• Collision avoidance (urban areas)
• Threat of hijacking (terrorism) via radio
• Will require some traffic management in
the sky.
• Ensuring the right recipient is reached.
Future opportunities and applications
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• ‘Eye in the sky’ – remote surveillance and reconnaissance
• Remote inspections
• Environmental monitoring
• Aerial photography
• LIDAR – emergence of UAV sensors.
• Weight: 1 kg
• Accuracy: < 2cm
• FLIR and Multi spectral cameras:
• Demo flights in NZ in Sep 2013 for power line
inspections (corona discharge) using FLIR.
• Inspections of vegetation, pipe leaks,
geological resources
LIDAR proof of concept
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Future opportunities and applications
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• ‘Find and deliver’
• Image recognition
• Multi drone solution (one to find, one to deliver)
• Cargo transport
• Predicted to be in operation within a decade (IAI CEO, Aug 2013)
• Imagine:
1. A cargo UAV loads supplies at a warehouse
2. Drives itself to an open field, takes off
3. Flies to a mine site, lands nearby
4. Then drives itself to the stores for unloading.
Imagination or reality?
AT Black Knight Transformer
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Questions?
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Thank You!