Tekdata accelerate development of UK’s Mantis UAV project

UAVs are effective in modern warfare, where enemies tend to operate in small units and are skilled at remaining hidden and moving quickly. In this context, even small-arms fire can challenge air superiority, and allies are responding by using armed UAVs that can be piloted remotely from a safe position. Sometimes referred to as “killbots”, these vehicles can carry a variety of weapons and enable forces to plan and carry out strategic missions quickly and at reduced risk. In addition to providing close air support, they can also be fitted with imaging and mapping equipment to fulfil Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles.

Mantis is one of the UK’s latest UAV projects, which is currently in development and aims to serve British and international markets. To assist rapid completion of the first phase of the project, Tekdata configured wiring harnesses linking electrical actuators for the vehicle’s control surfaces to on-board flight-management and power systems. “Our previous experience of developing interconnect solutions for the most demanding environments, including military and space projects, enabled us to deliver demonstration flight harnesses using proven technologies to achieve fast turnaround and minimise design risk, which were the overriding priorities of the initial phase of the programme” commented Mark Howitt, Business Development Manager, Tekdata Interconnections Limited.

Following successful completion of the initial demonstrator harnesses, Tekdata and its partners on the Mantis project are now focusing on the second-stage objective to finalise the harnesses for production. Performance data from the demonstrator will inform this phase of harness design, to meet ultimate production specifications for aspects such as weight, physical size and functionality.

“Building on the platform of knowledge from the demonstrator, the next phase will accept advanced technologies we have developed for other markets, particularly space technology,” explained Howitt. “Our experience of designing electrical interconnects to withstand the harshest of environments and the highest of reliability targets enables us to meet the requirements of the Mantis project, to solve challenges at very fast turnaround and low risk.”