Issue 39 Unmanned Systems Technology August/September 2021 Maritime Robotics Mariner l Simulation tools focus l MRS MR-10 and MR-20 l UAVs insight l HFE International GenPod l Exotec Skypod l Autopilots focus l Aquaai Mazu

80 O ver the past several years, autopilot designs for unmanned systems have diversified into a wide range of hardware and software topologies to ensure the navigation and safety integrity of autonomous systems as they increasingly operate among infrastructure and civilians. These now range from very cost-effective systems that embed complex algorithms into SWaP-optimised processors, to powerful and fast computer systems that have received levels of certification which were once solely for manned aircraft operating in national airspaces. The growth of this industry has been driven by a surge in variants of autonomous aircraft, including VTOL- transitioning systems, heavy-lift platforms and urban air taxis – with autopilot developers moving quickly to re-optimise their products for them. As well as bringing new, intelligent flight manoeuvres and similar capabilities, autopilot manufacturers have developed a broad range of approaches for modularity, diagnostics, redundancy, and other ways of ensuring that flight safety can be optimised for unmanned systems on a case-by-case basis. Different types of unmanned aircraft are spurring fresh advances in autopilots and pointing to future trends in the technology. Rory Jackson reports New flight paths August/September 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology Autopilots for unmanned systems have improved enormously over the past five years in terms of their safety, integrity and robustness, as well as interoperability with other avionics (Courtesy of Collins Aerospace)