Jul.2, 2013
New technologies using unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV) could create a new, cost effective and reliable monitoring service. Researchers at University of Southampton, UK have created a new 3D printed drone, called 2Seas, that could soon be used by maritime security organizations that border the English Channel and the North Sea.
The 2Seas is designed to fly lengthy surveillance missions for coastguards in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Instead of a pilot, the vehicle carries a high-definition camera, attached beneath the wing, to monitor the sea, for illegal fishing operations and even drug-running boats.
2Seas is a direct descendant of electric-powered SULSA, the world's first all-3D-printed drone built at the University of Southampton. SULSA had its first flight in August 2011.
After that, the European Union commissioned the university, the Computational Engineering Design Group led by Professor Jim Scanlan and Professor Andy Keane to develop 2Seas. The SULSA is entirely 3-D printed in strong ABS plastic, including its 1.5-metre-wingspan. But 2Seas has a 4-metre-wingspan that were too long for today's 3D printers. So only central wing box, fuel tank and engine mountings were 3D-printed, the wings and tail are made from carbon fiber. And instead of using a electric engine to power its one propeller, the 2Seas uses a gasoline engine.
With its twin engines the 2Seas can fly up to 6 hours at 100 kilometers per hour while SULSA can only fly for 40 minutes. Multiply-redundant flight controllers and dual engines mean an inherently safe aircraft for maritime surveillance missions.
The 2Seas drone has its first test flight early last month, and is currently undergoing many tests coping with weather and equipment. It is expected the 2SEAS will go into service in 2015.
Watch 2Seas' first test flight below:
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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