Rotomotion SR20 first and only UAS to complete multiple high wind flights DSEi 2009 in London

ASM Europe Ltd demonstrated Rotomotion’s Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) at the Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) conference last month, successfully completing a total of ten flights using Rotomotion SR20 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and marking the first time this type of UAS (Vertical Take Off) was demonstrated to a large crowd in the centre of London.

“Codenamed Operation Vision, the demonstration involved our Rotomotion SR20 UAS helicopter take off from the docks in the Victoria Dock’s area, hover in the sky and video all waterborne demonstrations taking place on the Thames”, stated Pietro Amati, Managing Director of ASM Europe Ltd. He continues “we feel this operation provided DSEi attendees intimate, in-depth understanding that UAVs can be a very reliable and financially beneficial alternative to traditional helicopters for a variety of circumstances”.

“The SR20 maintained stability despite flying with 20 knot winds on certain days” stated Jason Searle, Sales Manager of ASM Europe Ltd “and the audience watching from the Royal Dock’s pier was also impressed by the electric SR20’s almost silent operation, well below the level of the noise generated by the boats along Victoria Dock”.

Over 26,000 people attended DSEi 2009, including Prince Michael of Kent and the Minister of Defense. Attendees either watched live from the pier or viewed the streaming MPEG4 video feed from the SR20 UAV projected onto the large event screens located inside the venue.

The images relayed by the UAV in real-time were extremely clear and steady and offered the audience a different perspective of what was going on and a taste of the variety of uses UAVs can be applied for. The reliability and stability of the SR20 UAV to take-off, fly various patterns and land without any human intervention is due to Rotomotion’s sophisticated, patentpending Autonomous Flight Control System (AFCS). The video footage will soon be available on ASM Europe’s website (www.asmeurope.eu).

ASM Europe would like to extend its gratitude to ExCel, DSEi and Clarion Events. We would also like to express how pleased we are with the outcome of Operation Vision, which proved to be a huge success throughout the duration of DSEi 2009. This operation was the result of great teamwork and we would like to thank Stuart McBride and Dai Fares of Systematic and Bert Leak of Tactronics without whom Operation Vision would not have been possible.

Particular thanks should go to Captain Stephen Taylor, Naval Advisor to DSEi, for bringing the team together and for supervising and coordinating the operation.