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Explore UST’s round-up of our five most read articles in the industry this week, including new technologies, test flights, and UST’s in depth exploration into the role of optical components in unmanned and autonomous systems.
A modified version of the Raybird UAV by Skyeton has recently completed a test flight in Ukraine using hydrogen fuel.
The Raybird UAV was equipped with an electric engine powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which converts hydrogen into electricity. Following the successful flight, Skyeton is focused on developing a new fuselage architecture tailored for hydrogen integration.
2. Exploring the Capabilities of the Honeywell HG4930 IMU
Honeywell highlights the features and reliability of its HG4930 MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU), designed for aerospace and defense applications.
Uninterrupted GNSS signals cannot always be relied upon due to increasing incidents of jamming and disruptions from obstacles like tall buildings and trees, which can lead to positioning errors and operational delays. To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to choose a reliable backup navigation system that meets industry standards.
3. Ground Control Unveils RockBLOCK Pro for Enhanced Satellite IoT Connectivity
Ground Control has introduced the ruggedised RockBLOCK Pro satellite IoT gateway, a certified Iridium Certus 9704 device ideal for mission-critical remote applications.
Powered by the new Iridium Certus® 9704 module and Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT), RockBLOCK Pro offers faster throughput, significantly larger message capacity, and greater power efficiency than previous RockBLOCK devices.
4. Sky Power to Showcase Advanced UAV Propulsion Systems at XPONENTIAL 2025
Sky Power International, a global leader in high-performance combustion and hybrid engine technology for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), will be exhibiting at XPONENTIAL 2025 in Houston, Texas, May 18–22, 2025.
At booth 3121, Sky Power will unveil its latest advancements in propulsion, including two-stroke combustion engines, Wankel rotary engines, and hybrid power systems engineered specifically for demanding UAV operations. These propulsion solutions are designed for professional applications across both civilian and defense sectors, with particular emphasis on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
5. Enhancing Imaging Capabilities of Unmanned Systems with Precision Optical Materials
UST takes a look at the role of optical components in unmanned and autonomous systems.
Unmanned and autonomous systems, ranging from drones and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to underwater and ground-based robots such as AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), and UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), are increasingly dependent on sophisticated imaging systems. Whether it’s for surveillance, navigation, environmental monitoring, or industrial inspection, these systems rely on highly engineered optical components to deliver performance, reliability, and efficiency.
