DeltaQuad Evo Tactical Operations Manual
  • DeltaQuad Evo Tactical Edition
  • Safety and Legal Notice
  • Abbreviations
  • Vehicle Specifications
  • Auterion Suite
    • Create an Auterion Suite Account
    • Activating Your Vehicle
    • Using the DeltaQuad Evo Simulator
  • Setup
    • DeltaQuad Evo Flight Case
    • Field Deployment Kits
    • Assembly
    • DeltaQuad Evo Battery
      • Battery Handling
      • Charging the Battery
      • Storing the Battery
      • Main Battery Placement
      • Auxiliary Battery Placement
      • Empty Payload Box
    • Powering the Vehicle
    • Ground Control Station (GCS)
      • DeltaQuad Toughbook
      • Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP
        • Attaching the Battery
        • Attaching the Antennas
        • Charging the Silvus Battery
        • Connecting the Breakout Cable
        • Storing the Silvus StreamCaster
      • Connecting the GCS to the DeltaQuad Evo
      • Optional Tripod-Mounted Sector Antenna
      • Optional Automated Tracking Antenna
        • Hardware Setup
        • Antenna Tracker GUI
        • Multivehicle Functionality
        • GCS Screen Recording
      • Silvus StreamCaster GUI
        • Changing the Radio Encryption
      • ATAK-Setup
    • Safety Features
      • Return to Home Settings
      • Low Battery Failsafe Trigger
      • Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger
      • RC Loss Failsafe Trigger (Advanced Mode)
      • High Wind Failsafe Trigger
      • Geofence Failsafe Trigger
      • Land Mode Settings (Advanced Mode)
    • Air Unit Radio Swap
    • Connecting a Second GCS
    • ADS-B Receiver
  • Flight
    • Auterion Mission Control (AMC) Overview
      • Normal and Advanced Mode
      • AMC Top Bar
      • AMC Menu
        • Fly View
        • Plan View
        • Vehicle Overview
        • Advanced
        • Controller
        • Photos
        • Analyze
        • User Account
        • Settings
    • Planning a Mission
      • Preparing a Mission Plan
      • Best Practices and Tips
      • Mission Start Action
      • Set Intermediate Waypoints
        • Survey Pattern
        • Corridor Scan
        • Stealth Switch
      • Mission End Action
      • Geofences
    • Quick Takeoff
      • Land Approach
      • VTOL Takeoff
      • Return
    • Pre-flight Checks
    • Radio Range and Line of Sight (LOS) Operation
    • Executing and Monitoring a Mission
      • Execute the Mission - Returning the Vehicle
      • Monitoring the Mission
      • Controlling the Vehicle
      • Manual Control
      • Emergency Procedures
        • During Takeoff
        • During Transition
        • During Fixed-Wing Flight
        • During the Landing Sequence
    • Advanced Flight
      • GPS-Denied Operations
      • Offshore Operations
    • Post-flight Checks
  • Maintenance
    • Preventative maintenance
    • DeltaQuad Evo Maintenance Kit
      • VTOL Arm Replacement
      • Pusher Motor Pod Replacement
      • Wingtip Replacement
    • Elevon Replacement
    • Landing Gear Replacement
      • Landing Gear Leg Feature
    • Propeller Replacement
    • Flight Logs
      • Sharing log files via Auterion Suite
      • Downloading log files via the GCS
      • Downloading log files via USB
    • Diagnostics report
    • Firmware update
    • Compass calibration
    • Pitot Tube
  • DeltaQuad Evo Payloads
    • NextVision ISR Payloads
      • Raptor 360
      • Nighthawk2-V/UZ
      • Controlling the Camera
      • Connecting a Second Screen
      • NextVision Video Player
    • Aerial Payload Deployment Systems
    • Custom Payload Kits
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On this page
  • Preparations
  • Manual Takeoff and Transition
  • 1. Landing - Transition to Multirotor Mode
  • 2. Landing - Multirotor Mode Descent to 5m
  • 3. Landing - Multirotor Mode Descent 5m to Touchdown
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  1. Flight
  2. Advanced Flight

Offshore Operations

This section describes the steps required for offshore operations.

PreviousGPS-Denied OperationsNextPost-flight Checks

Last updated 7 months ago

Preparations

  • Thoroughly review the chapter on .

  • Inspect the ship from which you plan to take off.

  • Identify the most suitable takeoff and landing area that offers sufficient space and is as far as possible from any metallic objects.

  • Determine the optimal position for the Ground Control Station and any optional antennas, if applicable.

  • Ensure that a clear line of sight between the vehicle and the antennas can be maintained at all times.

  • Power up the DeltaQuad Evo and the GCS (AMC).

  • Set AMC to .

  • Determine the wind direction and position the vehicle so its nose faces into the wind.

Manual Takeoff and Transition

Ships are typically constructed with large amounts of metal, especially steel, in their hulls and superstructures. This metal composition can significantly impact the performance of UAV magnetometers.

A magnetometer is a sensor that detects magnetic fields and is often used in UAVs for navigation or other specialized applications. When a UAV operates near a large metal object, like a ship, the metal can create distortions in the Earth's magnetic field. This distortion can cause the magnetometer to give inaccurate readings, which may affect the UAV’s navigation systems, especially if they rely on magnetic heading for orientation.

For this reason, Altitude mode is the preferred flight mode for manually taking off from a ship. In Altitude mode, the UAV does not rely on its compass or GPS, making it less susceptible to these magnetic interferences. This allows for more stable manual control during takeoff in environments with strong magnetic disturbances, such as a metal ship.

  • Select Altitude Mode via the Mode button.

  • Press Disarmed at the top of the menu bar.

  • Arm the vehicle by pressing and holding the confirmation button.

  • Press the left stick upwards to ascend.

  • Continue the ascent to 15 meters altitude or above the highest point of the ship's structures. This value also needs to be adjusted based on the height of the ship's deck. Once exposed to the wind, the vehicle will begin to drift.

  • Correct the drift with stick input until the ship's structures are fully cleared. The right joystick controls the vehicle's position. Moving the joystick forward, backward, left, or right adjusts the vehicle's position relative to its current heading.

  • The left joystick controls the vehicle's altitude and heading. Moving the joystick up will increase the altitude while moving it down will decrease the altitude. Moving the joystick left or right changes the vehicle's heading (yaw).

During the ascent, it is crucial to keep the nose aligned into the wind, as this provides the most stability for the vehicle during takeoff and transition.. This alignment also allows the Transition command to be executed into the wind without needing to realign the vehicle.

  • There are two possibilities to proceed from this point.

1. Position Mode

  • Once the ship's structure is cleared and there is sufficient distance between the ship and the vehicle, switch to Position mode via the Mode button.

Position mode provides enhanced navigational accuracy and stability by utilizing GPS and the magnetometer. However, a disadvantage is that the ship's metal can still create interference in the magnetometer.

  • This mode provides enhanced navigational accuracy and stability by utilizing GPS and the magnetometer. However, a disadvantage is that the ship's metal can still create interference in the magnetometer.

  • When in Position mode and the vehicle is aligned with its nose into the wind, verify for the last time that the transition path is free of obstacles, then issue the transition command.

  • Once the transition is complete, typically after 2 to 3 seconds, ascend to a safe altitude by pulling the right joystick backward, as it controls altitude during fixed-wing flight.

    • Altitude

    • Windspeed and direction

    • Groundspeed and airspeed

  • Once a safe altitude and location are reached, issue the Hold command. The vehicle will orbit its current location at the present altitude with a radius of 100 meters.

2. Altitude Mode

  • If magnetic interference is strong, it is recommended to transition to fixed-wing mode while in Altitude mode, as this mode primarily relies on the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) without using the compass or GPS.

In Altitude mode, special care must be taken with regard to altitude readings, as accuracy will vary in this mode. Altitude mode relies heavily on barometric sensors (altimeters) and sometimes the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for estimating altitude. These sensors can be affected by environmental factors, such as temperature and air pressure changes.

  • Once the ship's structure is cleared and the vehicle is aligned with its nose into the wind, verify for the last time that the transition path is free of obstacles, then issue the transition command.

  • Once the transition is complete, typically after 2 to 3 seconds, ascend to a safe altitude by pulling the right joystick backward, as it controls altitude during fixed-wing flight.

    • Altitude

    • Windspeed and direction

    • Groundspeed and airspeed

  • Once a safe altitude and location are reached, issue the Hold command. The vehicle will orbit its current location at the present altitude with a radius of 100 meters.

  • Select Position mode via the Mode button, as the vehicle has sufficient clearance and should be outside the ship's magnetic interference.

1. Landing - Transition to Multirotor Mode

  • Set an Orbit with a clear line of sight.

  • Identify the landing trajectory aligned into the wind, with a safe bailout option.

  • Reposition the orbit to align with the identified landing trajectory.

  • Lower the orbit’s altitude to a safe landing height of at least 15 meters above the ship's deck.

  • When the DeltaQuad Evo is facing the direction of the landing trajectory, switch to Altitude mode.

  • Guide the vehicle to the landing zone while maintaining its altitude with the right joystick.

  • Transition to Multirotor Mode at a safe distance from the landing zone (between 200m and 25m). Higher wind speeds require a shorter distance to complete the transition.

2. Landing - Multirotor Mode Descent to 5m

3. Landing - Multirotor Mode Descent 5m to Touchdown

  • When positioned above the landing zone, account for the deck's tilt and movement.

  • Adjust the vehicle's heading so that its wings are positioned to avoid hitting the deck due to its rolling.

  • Time the landing with the waves to ensure touchdown occurs at the deck's lowest point.

  • After touchdown, be prepared to manually disarm the vehicle through emergency actions if necessary. If the ship's movements are minimal, the vehicle will disarm itself within 2 seconds after touchdown.

Complete the .

The VTOL motors will spin up. In Multirotor mode, the left control stick manages the throttle, regulating the drone's altitude. If you have any doubts, please review the stick controls for Multirotor mode .

Throughout the entire process, closely monitor the for:

From this point on, the vehicle can be controlled as described in .

Throughout the entire process, closely monitor the for:

From this point on, the vehicle can be controlled as described in .

After the transition to Multirotor mode, lower the altitude while moving toward and above the landing zone. Higher wind speeds require a lower descent speed. If you have any doubts, please review the stick controls for Multirotor mode .

Pre-flight Checklist
Controlling the Vehicle
Controlling the Vehicle
Manual Control
Advanced Mode
Telemetry Dashboard
Telemetry Dashboard
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