South Korea: Solar Powered UAV flyes14 Km above Sea Level.

A locally-developed high-altitude solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has successfully flown in the stratosphere. As a result, the development of a solar-powered UAV capable of remaining in the stratosphere for a long period of time will gain momentum.

On Aug. 11, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) announced that its EAV-3, a high-altitude UAV powered by solar cells, succeeded in flying into the stratosphere with the altitude of 14 km above sea level. 

This flight was conducted at an aviation center in South Jeolla Province. The EAV-3 reached 14.12 km above sea level during the 9-hour flight. At the altitude of 14 km, air density amounts to 53 percent of that contained at 10 km, a common altitude for civilian aircraft. 

Also, the temperature there is 30 degrees lower. The higher one goes, the lower air density and temperature fall, which makes flying difficult. On the other hand, the lack of clouds favors sunlight as an energy source.

EAV-3 is a 100 percent pollution-free aircraft that uses solar cells and secondary cells as energy sources in the stratosphere. A mono-crystal solar cell placed on the top of the wing continually charges a secondary cell during the flight, which is utilized as a source of energy. 

Wings are 20 m long and weigh only 53 kg. The KARI has created a safer UAV that flies at high altitude and can remain in the air for a long period of time through the development of the EAV-3. 

Specifically, the tech is expected to be usable in the design of an ultra-light stiff aircraft structure, the formation of aerial vehicles flying at high altitude, the design of propellers, the control of large UAVs flying at low speeds, and the operation of aerial vehicles for high altitude.

With its successful flight in the stratosphere, EAV-3 is likely to carry out more diverse tasks that complement artificial satellites, such as real-time close terrestrial observations and telecommunications relays.

The KARI has steadily improved the level of tech of UAVs capable of staying in the air at high altitudes for a long period of time. For example, it undertook the development of a core tech for electricity-powered UAVs in 2010, successfully flew a UAV for 22 hours in a row at 5 km in 2013, made its UAV reach the altitude of 10 km in 2014, and managed to fly its UAV for 25 consecutive hours. 

The research institute is going to embark on the development of a next-gen power source for the newly-developed UAV and a tech to produce ultra-light aerial vehicles, starting next year. 

"We are planning to acquire tech for solar-powered UAVs capable of remaining in the air at high altitudes for a long period of time in order to carry out tasks like terrestrial observations, meteorological observations, and telecommunications relays, while remaining in the air for several weeks to months in the stratosphere," said, Kim Seung-ho and Go Jung-ik, heads of the research team. 

BK

USA Navy Launches Drones ( UAV ) from Submerged Submarine.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Deployed from the submerged submarine USS Providence, the NRL developed XFC unmanned aircraft is vertically launched from a 'Sea Robin' launch vehicle (bottom right). The folding wing UAS autonomously deploys its X-wing airfoil and after achieving a marginal altitude, assumes horizontal flight configuration. 

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) with funding from SwampWorks at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Department of Defense Rapid Reaction Technology Office (DoD/RRTO) demonstrated the launch of an all-electric, fuel cell-powered, unmanned aerial system (UAS) from a submerged submarine. From concept to fleet demonstration, this idea took less than six years to produce results at significant cost savings when compared to traditional programs often taking decades to produce results. 

"Developing disruptive technologies and quickly getting them into the hands of our sailors is what our SwampWorks program is all about," said Craig A. Hughes, Acting Director of Innovation at ONR. "This demonstration really underpins ONR's dedication and ability to address emerging fleet priorities." 

The successful submerged launch of a remotely deployed UAS offers a pathway to providing mission critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to the U.S. Navy's submarine force. Operating under support of the Los Angeles class USS Providence (SSN 719) and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center-Newport Division (NUWC-NPT), the NRL developed XFC UAS—eXperimental Fuel Cell Unmanned Aerial System—was fired from the submarine's torpedo tube using a 'Sea Robin' launch vehicle system.

 The Sea Robin launch system was designed to fit within an empty Tomahawk launch canister (TLC) used for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles already familiar to submarine sailors. Once deployed from the TLC, the Sea Robin launch vehicle with integrated XFC rose to the ocean surface where it appeared as a spar buoy. Upon command of Providence Commanding Officer, the XFC then vertically launched from Sea Robin and flew a successful several hour mission demonstrating live video capabilities streamed back to Providence, surface support vessels and Norfolk before landing at the Naval Sea Systems Command Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), Andros, Bahamas. 

"This six-year effort represents the best in collaboration of a Navy laboratory and industry to produce a technology that meets the needs of the special operations community," said Dr. Warren Schultz, program developer and manager, NRL. "The creativity and resourcefulness brought to this project by a unique team of scientists and engineers represents an unprecedented paradigm shift in UAV propulsion and launch systems."

 The NRL Chemistry and Tactical Electronic Warfare Divisions team includes the design-builder of the Sea Robin, Oceaneering International Inc., Hanover, Md.; the fuel cell developer Protonex Technology Corp., Southborough, Mass.; and NUWC-NPT's Autonomous and Defensive Systems Department for Temporary Alteration (TEMPALT) and test demonstration support. The XFC is a fully autonomous, all electric fuel cell powered folding wing UAS with an endurance of greater than six hours. 

The non-hybridized power plant supports the propulsion system and payload for a flight endurance that enables relatively low cost, low altitude, ISR missions. The XFC UAS uses an electrically assisted take off system which lifts the plane vertically out of its container and therefore, enables a very small footprint launch such as from a pickup truck or small surface vessel. - 

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Ecuadorian AirForce launches UAV (drones) made in the country, to monitor natural disasters.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

The Phoenix prototype. The aircraft has 5.5 meter wingspan. It can reach 15,000 feet and 140 miles per hour.

Ecuadorian AirForce launches UAV (drones) made in the country, to monitor natural disasters.

When the alarm sounds at the airport Chachoan in Ambato, the UAV-0 of the Center for Research and Development of the Ecuadorian Air Force (Cidfae) and is ready to take off on a mission of 20 minutes in the air,the UAV (by 'Unmanned Aerial Vehicle') UAVs are operating through autopilots, and flight tested Cidfae aircraft designed and built in the country.

The aim is to provide a communication tool to monitor natural disasters. On a track of 1 800 meters, Captain Victor Enriquez oversees the UAV mission-0: rising to 300 meters and automatic pass.

The captain explained that this prototype, 4, 40 meters, wingspan is on track to achieve takeoff, flight and landing autonomously. So far, only the navigation, which can reach up to an hour-automatic.

On the track, the electronics engineer Uwe Nickelsen pilot serves as a platform for controlling the movement of the UAV-0 in air. "The task of a pilot takeoff platform is secure and prevent the aircraft from danger on the ground."

Colonel Edgar Jaramillo, Cidfae director, said that the aircraft is also controlled by the 'shelter', a mobile station with three consoles. One of them is the system of guidance, navigation and control, which oversees the projected flight. According to Jaramillo, this monitoring can ensure the survival of the ship and the fulfillment of the mission in the air.

In another console can display the aircraft payload, ie equipment. Captain Enriquez says the idea is that the Cidfae prototype aircraft has available for national service: engineers provide the platform and the client is the one who appoints the load.

 For example, one could use the aircraft to transmit real-time images of the volcano Tungurahua conditions. In the 'shelter' is also one antenna pointing system that follows the aircraft to always remain linked.

When the UAV-0 fulfills its mission, the UAV prepares Phoenix. Captain Enriquez says that this prototype was born by the need for larger aircraft and higher lifting weights. The UAV-0 weighs 15 kilograms and the Phoenix, 25 kg.

 Colonel Jaramillo adds that this aircraft was the first drone in Latin America after its first flight in 1998, changed its aerodynamics and increased new aircraft concept. Now the Phoenix, with 5.5 meter wingspan, has greater stability to land on short runways, as it has vortex generators, such as the Airbus.

After 20 minutes of flight, the Phoenix landed. Jaramillo says his sprained wing allows slower landing on short runways.

Its top speed reaches 140 mph and can fly up to 15,000 feet. Like the UAV-0 two-hour autonomy is achieved only in navigation. When the two aircraft complete their mission, the central tower of the airport Chachoan communicates nationally Izamba the area is clear.

 The military is removed from the track and continue with their work in the shop. The lieutenant Miguel Baca is an aeronautical engineer and led the construction of the prototype Falcon, which will span 11 meters and a weight of 50 kg lift.

It is hoped that this aircraft can fly autonomously 10 hours and reach 18,000 feet. Like the other two prototypes, the Falcon is carbon fiber and will be ready in February 2013. In Cidfae is also the country's first airship

.

The Condor is 36 meters and is about to fly. Later this year, the airship will be available. Does your utility? could be located in a disaster area to build a telecommunications network in place.

You could also install a camera to check an area affected nationwide. Colonel Jaramillo adds that Condor UAV prototypes and can also work together. "With the scope of the airship (150 km) could extend the travel of unmanned aircraft to operate as a repeater antenna".

 Captain Enriquez says his autonomy can achieve 12 hour flight. On a tour of the Cidfae, the Defense Minister Miguel Carvajal, congratulated the team of researchers from the Centre and motivated him to accelerate final renders, as the country needs to prototypes that can support natural disaster in the country. Captain Enriquez says the Cidfae is a "prototyping center", which will assess the needs of customers and provide theoretical and practical training for mass production in the country.

Source: Diario EL Comercio Ecuador