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!