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the user has to do is launch the UAV, fly up to the
necessary altitude, and press go. The Scout then takes the
images automatically,” explained an Aeryon spokesperson.
The flight planning is built into the Scout system and it
generates the plan through the touchscreen interface by
simply generating waypoints on the map and then saving a
file with those in it for later use.
The touchscreen uses satellite map based navigation,
meaning that satellite maps of the area are loaded onto the
tablet, and the user navigates the Scout and camera based
on these. This enables the Scout to achieve an exact
location. “The maps are also used to establish the preprogrammed flight paths,” according to a spokesperson.
The operator manipulates the touchscreen using a
stylus pen. “A click on the map moves the aircraft at
predefined maximum speeds towards that point on the
map. Lifting the stylus stops the motion of the craft,” says
Walker. If the operator first selects a button to point the
camera, the next stylus depression on the screen’s map
moves the camera’s center of view to that location, leaving
the aircraft at the original location, Walker explains.
Other options including zoom, takeoff, and come home
are easily identified with the stylus pen. “Only when trying
to enter numbers or letters is the stylus interface
frustrating,” says Walker. “Fortunately, that use of the stylus
is quite infrequent.”
Flight Limitations, Communications
The Scout is designed to operate within the airspace,
speed, and altitude restrictions of the given airspace that it is
operating in at any given time. These features are integrated
into the Scout UAV. This includes an altitude of 500 M, a
speed of 21. 7 MPH, and airspace restrictions that are
determined from country to country. “The operator sets the
requirements they need to meet in their airspace. The system
uses this data to avoid exceeding airspace area limitations,”
comments an Aeryon spokesperson. It cannot go beyond
these settings. “For example, in Canada the Scout is restricted
to airspace under 400 feet. All systems are automatically set
to a maximum height of 400 feet. The vehicle will stop at
400 feet even if the operator tries to fly higher.”
The Scout comes with its own digital communications
network called ScoutNet. Commands and video traverse this
network in streams. With the given network design, the
operators can stream video to more than one location for
viewing purposes. “The network can also be encrypted,
ensuring that even if an outside source knew the network
address, the information could not be used by an
unauthorized party.”
Other advantages include multiple user scenarios where
operators in a common area can operate the Scout without
having to worry about interfacing with each other’s controls
and data.
“We can monitor the Scout from multiple control
stations, and there is a WiFi link from the ground station to
The Scout UAV flying low along
a beautiful, scenic stretch of
the Alaskan coast line.
The Scout climbs high
above water craft.
any device we want. However, as more systems are linked
into the aircraft — such as a second tablet for monitoring
the imagery — the network bandwidth gets slower and that
is bothersome,” says Walker.
The Scout system complies with STANAG 4586
which is a NATO agreement that defines standard
communications protocols, data elements, and
message formats for Unmanned Systems. This standard
In one unique feature, Aeryon has made the Scout
weatherproof through sealed seams that prevent moisture
and dirt from getting into the robot’s system. “While the
motors are exposed on the arms,” comments an Aeryon
spokesperson, “ they are designed to meet the same
requirements of preventing soil or moisture from entering
in.” The Scout’s payloads are also sealed for
weatherproofing.
All-Weather Airborne Wonder
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