Torino Piemonte Aerospace is at Farnborough to represent small to medium-sized enterprises based in Italy's Piedmont region, which has placed itself at the cutting edge of unmanned air systems technology.

The 300-plus members enrolled in the cluster's membership work side by side with Italian aerospace giants such as Alenia Aeronautica, Thales Alenia Space, Avio, Selex Galileo and Microtecnica. Generating an annual turnover of €2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), the SMEs together employ 10,000.

The cluster is showcasing its unmanned platform research and production activities within the space zone, and two members, PRO S3 and Sofiter System Engineering (SSE), have joined forces with Tuscany's Flyby to present an emission-free UAS branded WaveSight.

Designed as a complete package - including an integrated payload, mission planner and image-processing software - WaveSight is intended for use in civil missions such as ground/environment control, agriculture and fire-prevention monitoring.

PRO S3 chief executive Daniele Camatti traces the collaboration to a meeting held by Torino Piemonte Aerospace which allowed members to "meet and develop business with other Italian companies and companies abroad".

Transportable in three cases, WaveSight has a total weight of 40kg (88lb), including its catapult launcher, ground control station and 6.5kg maximum take-off weight air vehicle. Its mission planner software, designed by SSE, allows mission execution within a few mouse clicks and additional offers rehearsal and flight-log analysis and debriefing capabilities.

Flyby has meanwhile provided an integrated multi-spectral payload (fixed or gimbal mounted) optimised for the unmanned air vehicle remote sensing operations, plus image processing software.

The result is "a state-of-the-art UAS offering advanced image processing functions", says Camatti. Compliant to forthcoming UAV regulations, the complete UAS will be ready for delivery to customers from October at a "complete entry price" of €45,000-50,000 ($58,000-$65,000).

Launched by a 2m (6.5ft(-long catapult with a 2m span, WaveSight is claimed to be silent and emission free thanks to electrical propulsion offering a minimum 30min endurance with a 2kg payload, flying at 40kt (75km/h).

PRO S3 is also developing a quadcopter vertical take-off and landing UAS for Thales Alenia Space. The system has a 2.5kg maximum take-off weight and fans of 4.25cm (1.67in) diameter, and can carry a 0.5kg payload. Thales Alenia Space will deploy the system's hovering and manoeuvring capabilities will be deployed to validate the guidance system of its Mars Lander, with indoor simulations to be conducted to discern the right place to land on the red planet.

Source: Flight Daily News

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