Public Funding for Callen-Lenz Associates Limited

As unmanned and autonomous systems evolve at pace, uncertainty remains around how to integrate autonomous systems in shared airspace in a safe manner. This proposal, entitled Safe Flight, develops and integrates safe novel autonomous technologies with crew functions and responsibilities, in a framework that demonstrates how risk and uncertainty can be evaluated to provide routes towards certification. A UK-based consortium of experts in aircraft manufacturing (GKN Aerospace), risk-based planning and avoidance (3UG Autonomous Systems), UAS operations (Callen-Lenz) and autonomous systems research (University of Bath) has been assembled to tackle the integration challenges of developing a system of systems for safe and certifiable unmanned and autonomous airspace operations.

HICLASS is a project to enable the delivery of the most complex software-intensive, safe and cyber-secure systems in the world. It is a strategic initiative to drive new technologies and best-practice throughout the UK aerospace supply chain, enabling the UK to affordably develop systems for the growing aircraft and avionics market expected over the next decades. It includes key primes, system suppliers, software companies and universities working together to meet the challenge of growing system complexity and size. HICLASS will allow development of new, complex, intelligent and internet-connected electronic products, safe and secure from cyber-attack that can be affordably certified.

High Integrity Autopilot with simple controls for future Personal Aerial Vehicles

"The Innovate funded Prometheus project will develop a fully autonomous robot capable of geo-technical surveys in unknown voids for use in the mining, water infrastructure monitoring and offshore industries. This robot will be able to be automatically deployed and recovered through a standard restricted access bore of 150mm diameter, significantly increasing potential use cases over existing systems. Key demonstrations will be carried out during the project in conjunction with Network Rail - to explore and map mine workings that extend under existing rail infrastructure. Further, applications are also within the water industry with aging water infrastructure. This is presenting major issues to societies, in terms of leakages, burst water mains, flooding, contamination, etc. This is resulting in significant costs to infrastructure providers in terms of fines, legal fees, and complex repairs. The system itself will be designed, built and tested by a consortium led by Headlight -- an SME working with leading edge sensor and data processing technologies. Partners include Callen-Lenz, an SME with expertise in airborne robotic systems development and deployment. They will work closely with the Universities of Manchester, Royal Holloway and Bristol to integrate the latest sensors, control and manufacturing techniques into a truly novel and highly capable platform. This will include sensors and adaptive sensing software provided by both Thales and Headlight. The joint requirements of fully autonomous operation beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), combined with deployment through a limited access 150-diameter borehole will be demonstrated both in a university lab environment and at key milestone demonstrations in conjunction with Network Rail. This will be an excellent illustration of robotics, autonomy and AI in extreme environments with widespread application. The final system will demonstrate a step change in autonomous capability, highly flexible operation and deployment, meeting a real and existing industrial need for rapid inspection of areas that are difficult to access and complex to navigate."

Enhancing Safety, Reliability and Airworthiness of BVLOS Autonomous UAV operations is a critical element in the development of technology which will allow the safe, routine use of UAV (Drone) technology in the civil environment. The project seeks to bridge the gap between the unmanned and manned aerospace domains, combining the structured approach to "certification" for manned aircraft with the innovation in unmanned aircraft. Through the increase of autonomy in a controlled and validated manner, Unmanned Systems will be able to deliver more capability in the civil environment, reducing hazards for human operations, in particular in demanding inspection environments in fields such as oil and gas, civil engineering and logistics in austere environments.

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

AIRSTART seeks to drive UK leadership in small commercial UAS (Unmanned Air Systems <150kg) by overcoming major barriers to growth, principally the lack of affordable, lightweight detect & avoid and fast & secure communications technology required to enable safe operation Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS), and increased endurance. This will be achieved through research & development (R&D) in new technologies that also have applications in manned aviation and space sectors, such as: i) combining technologies to achieve a detect & avoid solution including novel shared decision-making, long range navigation back-up and conformal aerials; ii) real-time infrastructure sensing & mapping; iii) laser beam steering based on a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) for fast secure communications; iv) novel hybrid propulsion. Core technologies will be validated through a series of small UAS flight trials. These trials will be based on operational scenarios defined by end users Western Power Distribution and RNLI, leading to an accelerated route to exploitation in terrestrial & maritime applications. AIRSTART has exceptionally strong SME involvement with stakeholders CAA & NATS. askestakeholders.

CJR Propulsion, partnering with Avenca and Callen Lenz associates will develop a set of tools for a ground breaking service that will enable improvements to be made to work boats and other commercial craft that will significantly improve fuel efficiency, providing the operator with significant environmental and cost benefits. As well as improving the operational efficiency of workboats, the project aims to provide cost effective monitoring of the vessel's ongoing performance in normal operating conditions. Any significant reductions in the boat's performance can be identified and rectified at an early stage. There will also be the possibility of monitoring a fleet of boats, optimising routes and usage for further savings.