AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
Sentera has launched the Phoenix 2 Fixed-Wing UAV, it announced on 9 June. The UAV supports several sensors, including the Sentera Quad Sensor, Sentera Double 4K Sensor, Radiometric Thermal Sensor and Sentera-Q.
The system weighs 4lbs and has a cruise speed of 30mph and endurance of 60 minutes. The UAV features the company’s OnTop and AgVault open software platforms. It can be hand-launched and carries multiple sensor options, according to the company.
It features a professional-grade Kestrel OnBoard autopilot system that constantly auto-optimises and auto-calculates according to a specified grid pattern to ensure that the collected data meets the specifications.
Todd Colten, chief aerospace engineer, Sentera, said: ‘The Phoenix 2 brings a level of precision and accuracy to UAVs that hasn't been seen before. Users can now collect highly detailed data quickly, and with complete certainty about its accuracy. The grid pattern you specify is mapped pre-flight. The drone knows exactly what line to follow to get the exact looping radius, and the exact flight level needed for perfect tiling.
‘Growers are using the Phoenix 2 with agriculture-specific sensors to collect RGB, NIR, and NDVI imagery. That imagery is so precise – [the growers] tell us they're targeting and treating specific parts of their fields, and then they're using fewer chemicals, saving money and increasing yields. Follow-up flights can be programmed to use the same pattern for exact data comparison at multiple times throughout the growing season. We're getting great feedback from our customers.’
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.