Innovation

Photos: Who's watching you? Farnborough 2014 drones and UAVs

By // July 17, 2014, 2:21 AM PST // Wolpe

Image 1 of 7

  • The destructive power of drones frequently puts this type of technology in the news but not all of them are designed to deliver missiles. Other uses for UAVs - or unmanned aerial vehicles - range from search and rescue, surveillance, to aerial targeting and aeronautical research.

    A number of these craft were on show at this week's Farnborough Airshow in the UK - and this image shows the 90kg turbojet-powered flapless Demon, which was developed by Cranfield University, BAE Systems and the University of Manchester as part of the five-year FLAVIIR project to develop a maintenance-free UAV that incorporated novel technologies.

    The Demon successfully completed two flights and became the first representation of a full-size aircraft to achieve controlled roll manoeuvres without moving control surfaces. Instead of flaps, the Demon manoeuvred using fluidic devices that exploited the Coanda effect.

    Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

  • Here is the APID 60 autonomous, unmanned helicopter developed by Swedish firm CybAero. It can carry devices such as video and infrared thermal imaging cameras, ground radar and magnetometers and packs away into trailer or van.

    With payloads of up to 50kg, the APID 60 follows a flight plan designed on a laptop by its operator, who can monitor its progress during the flight.

    The 3.2m-long helicopter is made out of carbon fibre, titanium and aluminium and powered by a two-cylinder, water-cooled two-stroke engine that gives it a cruising speed of about 55mph and a six-hour flight time.

    Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

  • This is the 3.8m-wingspan Prion 3 UAV, which is designed for tasks such as observation with streamed video, aeromagnetic surveying or delivering humanitarian aid.

    Powered by a 120cc four-stroke petrol engine driving a three-blade carbon fibre prop, the Prion 3 from UAVE in Dorset, England, offers an operational range of more than 625 miles and dismantles into pieces less than two metres in length for transport.

    Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

  • New Delhi-based Avaana had a number of its UAVs on show including a mini quadcopter called the SQ-6, which is under development, and this small, fixed-wing drone, the Wavesight, seen here on its pneumatic catapult launcher.

    With a wingspan of 2.3m, the Wavesight has been optimised for civilian missions, according to Avaana, and offers autonomous flight of over 12 miles with its 2kg maximum payload.

    Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

  • This is a military drone that's designed to be the target rather than the weapon. The BQM-177i from Sacramento, California-based Composite Engineering is an aerial target that can travel at just under the speed of sound.

    It's been picked by the US Navy to simulate attacks from sea-skimming missiles for new weapons systems. The 5.18m BQM-177i can tow other targets and has a parachute to allow it to be recovered if it hasn't been destroyed in the simulated attack.

    Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

  • Moving into the hybrid military-civilian use area is the 5.25m long Falco surveillance UAV from Italian industrial group Finmeccanica.

    Beneath the Falco's fuselage is a PicoSAR AES radar and electro-optic turret. Once launched from a ramp or after a short automatic takeoff, the Falco can fly for between eight and 14 hours, depending on payloads which can be up to 70kg.

    Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

  • This final image is not of a UAV at all but a lower-cost paramotoring alternative from another firm in Dorset, England.

    The Parajet Aerial Defence and Security System is described by manufacturer Parajet International as a foot-launched manned aircraft with low acquisition and operational costs, and requiring minimal pilot training.

    According to the company, it's suitable for a number of roles with law enforcement and border agencies, as well as with the military.

    Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

The destructive power of drones frequently puts this type of technology in the news but not all of them are designed to deliver missiles. Other uses for UAVs - or unmanned aerial vehicles - range from search and rescue, surveillance, to aerial targeting and aeronautical research.

A number of these craft were on show at this week's Farnborough Airshow in the UK - and this image shows the 90kg turbojet-powered flapless Demon, which was developed by Cranfield University, BAE Systems and the University of Manchester as part of the five-year FLAVIIR project to develop a maintenance-free UAV that incorporated novel technologies.

The Demon successfully completed two flights and became the first representation of a full-size aircraft to achieve controlled roll manoeuvres without moving control surfaces. Instead of flaps, the Demon manoeuvred using fluidic devices that exploited the Coanda effect.

Image: Toby Wolpe/TechRepublic

Related Topics:

Innovation Hardware Digital Transformation Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things Smart Cities

By Toby Wolpe

Toby Wolpe is a senior reporter at TechRepublic in London. He started in technology journalism when the Apple II was state of the art.