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 SKYCAM NZ IN ACTION

This UAS is an advanced mission planning, command and control system, autopilot and inertial navigation package for use in UAV’s and exclusively marketed and manufactured by Skycam UAV NZ Ltd.

The NZ Defence Force has extensively trialled the autopilot and Hawk software over a three-year period.

Hawk Ground Control Station
Description:

The Hawk Ground Control Station is the graphical user interface (GUI) for all aspects of the UAV command and control process. The GCS is primarily a software application running on a computer connected to several radios which communicate directly with the aircraft. The Hawk GCS software may be used with any UAV employing the APS.

Features:

  • Mission Planning system with waypoint pre designation and/or dynamic (inflight) waypoint designation and control with 3D terrain route checking.
  • Graphical Map display using NZMG or ArcGIS mapping standards
  • Flight Mode selection from manual to fully autonomous
  • Terrain aware camera footprint.
  • Mission replay
  • Fully integrated link to UAS vision module for target designation and tracking.
  • Camera PTZ and stabilisation control.
  • Full data output to third party Command and Control link.
  • Wind Speed estimation and return range limit displays
  • Contact database with ‘lock-on’ for both UAV positioning and camera geo-pointing.
  • Loiter mode control i.e. figure of 8 or orbit radius.
  • Dual display for dead reckoning mode (used for counter-counter measures)
  • Automatic route checking and real time terrain collision detection
  • Multiple GCS handovers, moving ground station support with aircraft cueing
  • No fly-zone display mode
  • Aircraft track history display
  • Seamless integration with X-Plane simulation package.
  • Audio (verbal) alarm system for problem detection and system health monitoring.
  • Beyond line of sight operation (for pre-programmed sensing/photography)

Maturity:

 The GCS is a mature technology that has been fielded for over 5 years; features continue to be added as a result of lessons learned.

Autopilot System
Description:

 The autopilot is the ‘brain’ at the heart of the UAV; it provides control, guidance, navigation and communication functions which together with the physical airframe comprise a fully autonomous robotic aircraft. The AP also processes up to three video inputs to provide overlay information about the pose of the camera and ground location of the camera footprint.

Features        

  • 6DOF inertial navigation with GPS augmentation, pitot static and barometric pressure.
  • Fully autonomous navigation, guidance and control, plus several RPV modes.
  • Payload control, gimballing and camera stabilization.
  • Video overlay for targeting, camera pose and forward reconnaissance.
  • Fully automatic takeoff and 4 automated landing modes including parachute.
  • Automated emergency landing in the event of permanent control link failure.
  • Route retrace on link failure when using a waypoint set.
  • Dead reckoning mode.
  • 8Hz data frame to GCS
  • Health and status monitoring.

·         Beyond line of sight operation (for pre-programmed sensing/photography)

  • Parachute deployment option in the event of system failure
  • Stills photo triggering for manual snaps or photo on waypoint.
  • Ground detection system for landing (motor shutdown/drogue chute release).
  • Autopilot can be used in Electric & Gasoline powered airframes.
  • Up to 3 cameras (switch able in flight).
  • Battery status monitoring
  • A fully isolated and self powered backup flight termination system option

 

Maturity

The APS is a fairly mature technology that has been fielded for over 5 years; features continue to be added as a result of lessons learned.

UAS Vision Module
Description

 The vision module is a state of the art software application for analysis of real time UAS imagery. When connected to a GCS it can record geo-referenced video data, display video streams and create mosaiced maps in real time. In addition, the application allows control of the UAV’s onboard cameras in real time either manually or automatically with visual object trackers. In offline mode pre-recorded missions can be replayed with or without the UAV Ground Station.

Features

  • Real time video capture conversion and recording to standard digital formats.
  • Synchronized recording of UAV / payload meta data for mission replay.
  • Real time image stabilization.
  • Video image mosacing and geo-referencing and generation of mosaic maps.
  • Control of UAV camera’s either manually or automatically
  • Visual object tracking and geo-referencing
  • High resolution still image integration.

Maturity

 The vision module is a recent development, it has been used experimentally on trials for evaluation, and features continue to be added as a result of research success.

UAS Simulation and training module.
Description

The simulation and training module is a software application ‘plugin’ that runs within the ‘X-Plane’ commercial simulator, it provides two core functions for the UAS. It generates a full simulation of a user designed UAV in flight including camera views, artificial environment and communications. The primary purpose of this being operator training as the simulation is fully integrated with the GCS supporting all functions available. Secondly the simulation provides a ‘software in the loop’ test bed for validation and certification of the auto pilot software as the same code is used within APS.

Features:

  • X-Plane aerodynamic model and simulation
  • Simulation of UAS Camera view and control of PTZ
  • Access to physical parameters allows ‘in the loop’ testing of APS software
  • Parachute recovery simulation
  • Software simulated moving objects within the environment
  • GCS integration allows UAS contacts to appear as objects in the simulation
  • Weather and environmental modelling
  • Live or mission replay visualisation

 Maturity:

 The simulation and training module has been used for both training and software validation from the outset of the UAS project. Versions of this module have also been used for operator training courses.

Kahu UAV airframe & moulds
Description

The Kahu UAV is a mini (2 meter class) fully composite airframe specifically designed to minimise drag and therefore maximise both endurance and its environmental operating envelope. The aircraft incorporates a 1200W electric motor and novel cooling mount and incorporates a unique design pitot static sensor for measurement of air data even in light precipitation. Kahu airframes are constructed from production aluminium moulds

Features:

  • 2.2 meter composite airframe
  • MTOW 3.9kg
  • Duration: up to 2 Hours
  • Speed: Up to 100 Km/h (Cruise – 60Km/h)
  • Range: 25Km (with 30mins on target)
  • Maximum operating altitude: 16,500ft
  • Airframe Max G +6 -4   (+2 -1 under AP control)
  • Battery –  4 Cell Lithium-Ion Polymer (16.8V, 8.4Ahrs)
  • Direct drive 1200W brushless motor system  400W Max  (80W Cruise)
  • Payload: Steer-able optical and IR cameras (+ other sensors), (stabilized with APS).
  • Parachute Recover Option for use in difficult terrain.
  • Composites construction quality control process and documentation
  • Production aluminium moulds

Maturity

 The Kahu airframe is now fully mature having been through a number of refinements to improve it usability mainly in the area of hosting a gimballed PTZ payload.

UAS Maintenance Database
 Description:

 The UAS maintenance database is a software quality assurance tool for small UAS. The database system provides maintenance and tracking tools for UAV system of systems keeping records of air time, software version and repairs for through life support for each subsystem.

Features:

  • System of Systems relational database design
  • Repair and maintenance tracking
  • Airframe flight hours applied to all subsystem components
  • Software version tracking
  •  

Maturity

 The database has been used for approximately one year; the system will be expanded to include composite part serial numbers in the near future.

 Payloads
Description

 A number of gimballed payloads have been designed primarily for use in the Kahu. The gimballed mounts use proportional servos controlled by signals from the APS to achieve stabilisation. There are four designs currently being tested. 

 

Features:

 1. The FLIR photon thermal imaging camera using a front surface mirror single axis gimbal.
 2. Mintron 10x optical zoom video camera using a front surface mirror single axis mounts
 3. Fixed mount high resolution stills camera with standard video.
 4. Mintron 10x optical zoom video camera using a 2 axis mounts to achieve the full PTZ control.

 Maturity

The gimballed payloads are currently being trialled.

For further details and information please contact: 

Mr Rene Redmond
Director
Skycam UAV NZ Ltd
 28-30 Sutton Place
PO Box 1267,
Palmerston North 4144
 NEW ZEALAND.
Phone:        0064 6 3555 747
 Fax:            0064 6 3594 501
 Email:         rene@skycam.co.nz
Web:           www.kahunet.co.nz

 

 

SKYCAM UAV NZ
Ph:  0064 63555747
Fax: 0064 63594501
28-30 Sutton Place
PO Box 1267
Palmerston North
New Zealand