As part of the development of the first EASA-certified UAS, German actuator manufacturer Volz Servos GmbH & Co. KG is to supply the certifiable actuators that will equip Thales’s UAS100 long-range drone.
Volz and Thales signed the contract that will also call on Volz subsidiary Aircraft Electronic Engineering GmbH (AEE) – an EASA-approved production, maintenance and alternative design organization – to develop the actuators that will be compliant with both EASA and FAA regulations.
Thales’s UAS100 long-range uncrewed air system for civil and government uses will be able to operate at ranges of more than 100 km. It combines world-class flight safety performance with the compact design required for uncrewed air systems. With a level of system redundancy and security unmatched on the light UAS market, the Thales solution will natively meet the requirements of the European SC-LUAS (Special Condition – Light Unmanned Aircraft Systems) regulations for drone flights over populated areas (SAIL VI).
With Volz Servos, Thales’s UAS100 operators can rely on actuation capabilities that meet the highest safety and reliability requirements. All Volz actuators, ten at the various control surfaces and one at the throttle, are based on the proven DA 22 BLDC, but will be fundamentally redeveloped under EASA regulations regarding electronics (DO 254), mechanics and software (DO 178C). The servos will achieve DAL B (Design Assurance Level – B).
“We are extremely proud that Thales puts its trust in Volz to develop the first certifiable actuators for a UAS”, said Phillipp Volz. “The prototypes already successfully operated with standard Volz actuators at all test flights. We can’t wait to start working with Thales to realize the UAS100.”
Source: Press Release