Unmanned Systems Technology 014 | Quantum Tron | Radio links and telemetry | Unmanned Aerial Vehicles | Protonex fuel cell | Ancillary systems | AUVSI 2017 Show report

4 Xponential was buzzing again this year as our industry continues to flourish. And the buzzword there was Hybrid. It had two meanings – an aerial vehicle that combines VTOL with fixed- wing forward flight and/or a combination of internal combustion and electrical power. Currently the feasible onboard energy supply for an internal combustion engine provides far more flight duration than that which can be arranged to feed the comparable electrical machine. Hence the attraction of a hybrid solution, given advantages of electric propulsion such as relative lack of noise and vibration. At some stage there will be a breakthrough in battery technology while fuel cell power plants continue to progress, as highlighted in this issue. In fact, even these days a vehicle optimised around a fuel cell augmented by solar power could in theory give an internal combustion- engined equivalent a run for its money in the endurance stakes. Personally I think it will be a sad day if the likes of two-strokes and rotaries go the way of the steam railway engine. That still seems some way off, however, as does the demise of the traditional fixed-wing craft. You can’t stop the march of progress, though what you can do is observe it and admire the ingenuity that fuels it. That monitoring is the function of this publication, and in this issue you will find an extensive report of Xponential. Ian Bamsey | Editorial Director Fuel for thought June/July 2017 | Unmanned Systems Technology Intro | June/July 2017 Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Assistant Editor Guy Richards Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Staff Writer Stewart Mitchell Contributors Peter Donaldson Rory Jackson Technical Consultants Paul Weighell Ian Williams-Wynn Dr Donough Wilson Design Andrew Metcalfe andrew@meticulousdesign.com UST Ad Sales Please direct all enquiries to Simon Moss simon@ust-media.com Subscriptions Jim Cavanagh jim@ust-media.com Publishing Director Simon Moss General Manager Chris Perry Office Administrators Frankie Robins Ellen Culliford For UST Online please contact: EchoBlue Media Online Publisher Caroline Rees caroline@echobluemedia.com Subscribe today @ www.ust-media.com Editorial opportunities Do you have a strong technical knowledge of one or more aspects of unmanned systems? As we grow we are on the lookout for experts who can contribute to these pages. If that sounds an interesting challenge then don’t hesitate to explore the possibility of writing for us by emailing me: ian@ust-media.com Elegantly efficient Quantum Systems’ Tron hybrid VTOL UAV Support acts Ancillary systems focus Reaching out Radio links and telemetry UST 14 : JUNE/JULY 2017 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Volume Three | Issue Four June/July 2017 High Power Media Limited Whitfield House, Cheddar Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4EJ, England Tel: +44 (0)1934 713957 Fax: +44 (0)20 8497 2102 www.highpowermedia.com ISSN 2056-9823 Printed in Great Britain ©High Power Media All rights reserved. Reproduction (in whole or in part) of any article or illustration without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. While care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information herein, the publisher can accept no liability for errors or omissions. Nor can responsibility be accepted for the content of any advertisement. US COPIES ONLY Unmanned Systems Technology ISSN No: 2056-9823, is published by High Power Media in England and is distributed in the United States by SPP, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ. Postmaster please send address changes to: Unmanned Systems Technology, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available from High Power Media at the address above or directly from our website. Overseas copies are sent via air mail. UST SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS 1 year subscription – 15% discount: UK – £75; Europe – e 125 USA – $150; ROW – £97.50 2 year subscription – 25% discount: UK – £135; Europe – e 225 USA – $270; ROW – £175.50 Make cheques payable to High Power Media. Visa, Mastercard, Amex and UK Maestro accepted. Quote card number and expiry date (also issue/start date for Maestro)