Auterion Government Solutions Inc (AGS Inc) and Quantum-Systems GmbH have announced that the two companies have partnered to develop a new combination multicopter/fixed-wing small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) for the U.S. Government defense and security markets. The new drones will be based around Quantum-Systems’ Vector and Scorpion drones and the Auterion OS secure open-source operating system. Auterion OS has already been employed on a variety of unmanned aircraft, including small multi-rotors and hybrid VTOL Group 2 aircraft.
The Vector and Scorpion feature a modular construction with a configurable base fuselage. Scorpion is a tri-copter UAS that can be utilized in dynamic urban environments when a combination of maneuverability and hovering capabilities are required. It is ideal for the gathering of ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and situational awareness data, and can be fitted with an optional tethering system to enable 24/7 operations.
By adding fixed wings and a tail section to the base fuselage, Scorpion can be transformed into Vector, an energy-efficient, fixed-wing VTOL UAS for longer range, longer endurance ISR missions.
The two drones currently utilise Quantum-Systems’ proprietary flight control stack and qBase command and control software. For this new development they will be integrated with Auterion Enterprise PX4 software, Auterion Ground Station software, and the Auterion Hand-Held Ground Control Station (H-GCS), forming an open ecosystem that is aligned and integrated with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Group 1 UAS Architecture and requirements for a common Group 1 control system. This integration enables these sUAS to be extensible, tailorable and interoperable for customers in both the US Defense and Security markets.
David Sharpin, CEO of AGS Inc, commented: “We are excited to be working with Quantum-Systems to bring forth a new, integrated, rucksack portable sUAS that we feel will transform the way our customers collect, process and disseminate ISR and Situation Awareness information, in all environments. AGS Inc and Quantum-Systems are standing up manufacturing operations in the US and are utilizing assured subsystems and software to provide a secure solution offering for our customers.”
Florian Seibel, CEO of Quantum-Systems, stated: “Teaming up with AGS Inc will change the market in many ways. AGS Inc is a key partner in the development and deployment of DoD’s Group 1 UAS Architecture. Together with our new tactical platforms Vector and Scorpion, this will meet the requirements and needs of the U.S. Government Defense and Security markets. We will enable our global customers to either run our proprietary stack or be integrated with AGS Inc’s enterprise software and H-GCS from now on. By setting up a US entity, Quantum-Systems will move closer to the customer while working on setting up a large scale US production.”
