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Czech innovations SAM J BASCH With a substantial presence at DSEI this week, nine companies are exhibiting jointly under the banner of DSIA, the Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic (Czech National Pavilion, Stand N8-310). Seven other Czech companies are represented here on individual stands. Exhibitors on the national pavilion include: EVPÚ Defence, which develops and produces EO surveillance systems; Mesit, which undertakes research and development, as well as production of communications systems; and Modelárna Liaz, which produces complex parts for aviation and the defence sector. Also attending are Optokon, a global manufacturer of connectivity and infrastructure solutions; Oritest, whose products detect toxic substances and chemical agents; Ray Service, which manufactures cable harnesses, electromechanical assemblies and electronic equipment, and Traam, which specialises in composite safety and bulletproof glass. Touchless Biometric Systems develops software and hardware for biometric and embedded systems, and Zeveta Ammunition offers various kinds of pyrotechnics and ammunition products. Individual exhibitors include: Ceská Zbrojovka, a producer of the renowned range of CZ weapons; Sellier & Bellot, a manufacturer of small-arms ammunition; SVOS, a supplier of armoured vehicles; and the Q Military Technical Institute.
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Whole spectrum training BETH STEVENSON UMS Skeldar has established a new training facility in Sweden, which will soon be used to train German and Canadian customers that have recently contracted to operate its V-200 unmanned aerial vehicle. Based at an airfield near Hultsfred, one hour south of Linköping, the site will be used to carry out the whole spectrum of required training, from ab initio through to sensor operations and maintenance. Established in recent weeks, it has a 3km x 2km airspace available for Skeldar training, which will operate at the airfield
Electric lift AeroVironment (Stand N5-202) has introduced two electric rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, the newest additions to the Vapor family of systems that the company absorbed into its portfolio when it acquired Pulse Aerospace in June. The new Vapor 35 variant with a gross take-off weight of 32lb, and the Vapor 55 with 55lb, were developed at the company’s innovation centre
alongside general aviation aircraft and adhere to the same flight rules as those, including using air traffic control and issuing the required NOTAMs. The company has expanded in recent months due to success it has garnered with its two new customers, namely the German navy, which is acquiring Skeldar to equip its new K130 corvettes, as well as Canada’s navy and special forces, which have acquired the UAV from a QinetiQ-UMS team on a services basis. Germany is equipping two corvettes, each one with one Skeldar air vehicle and one ground control station, while the Canadian navy has opted for two air vehicles on a contractor-owned, contractor-
based in Lawrence, Kansas, a facility established to focus on VTOL UAV developments and what was formerly a Pulse Aerospace site. Vapor 35 is based on a threeblade rotor design and includes high-energy lithium-polymer batteries that provide up to one hour of flight time. Vapor 55, on the other hand, has a 10lb payload capacity that can be mounted to the belly or side of the vehicle or slung underneath. In addition
operated basis, and Canadian special forces four aircraft under a contractorowned, military-operated structure. Both have begun their respective initial training, with Canadian personnel having started theirs at the Hultsfred site and Germany soon set to do the same. Changes in regulations from EASA governing the way in which UAV training is carried out will make them more akin to manned requirements that are expected to roll out in the coming months, so UMS Skeldar says it has been adapting its training and complementary manuals accordingly. UMS Skeldar is expected to deliver to QinetiQ (S3-400 and S4-100) − which is delivering the services in Canada − by the end of the year, and operations Q should begin shortly after.
to carrying sensors, this can include a drop mechanism, so the UAV can be used for cargo delivery. Automatically operated, the UAV can fly missions without operator intervention, AeroVironment says, and possible payloads include gimballed electro-optical/ infrared, survey grade postprocessing kinematic mapping, LIDAR and hyperspectral sensors. All Vapor UAVs are powered by the HeliSynth command and control technology. AeroVironment says the availability of multiple Vapor variants − it also comes in a 15 model − offers flexibility to customers so they can select the configuration they need for their particular requirements. Q
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