INTERVIEW WITH QUANTUM-SYSTEMS

Quantum-Systems GmbH, founded in Munich in 2015, specializes in the development, design, and production of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). Their sUAS combine eVTOL (electrical vertical take-off and landing) capabilities with long range utilizing electrical and aerodynamic efficiency, successfully uniting the benefits of helicopters and airplanes.

By integrating high precision sensors for aerial data intelligence into the systems, they are transforming decision making processes for the professional user in the commercial and governmental sector.

The sUAS can cover and area of up to 700 hectares with just one flight. This is a substantially larger area than a regular multi-rotor drone can cover, while still maintaining systems that are equally easy to control and to operate. 

CEO Florian Seibel: “Our passion is the continuous development of industry leading VTOL aircrafts. These easy to operate systems serve a wide range of customers. Our drones provide data for the agricultural, mining and construction industries, and serve the military and security forces. While the full potential and benefits that we can deliver is not yet fully exploited by the markets, we will further shape the future of unmanned aviation. Our path is clear: we will be the market leader in eVTOLS.“.

Interview with Florian Seibel, CEO Quantum-Systems GmbH.

Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?

Florian Seibel: The development of all function and mission critical components and software modules happens in-house. This is crucial for us to achieve comprehensive systems competence in the overall system and applies to the autopilot, flight control computer, sensor data fusion, moding, mission control and flight guidance.

Our customers come from the commercial (Surveying and Mapping applications in the agriculture, mining, construction industry) as well as from the governmental (Military, Defense and Public Security) sector.

E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?

F.S: We continuously integrate high precision sensors/cameras (=payloads) into our systems for increased aerial data intelligence. For instance, in 2021 the Trinity F90+ UAS will come with a new thermal camera, the TX Thermal.

A second payload that will be integrated into the TrinityF90+ we cannot disclose yet, but it will be a unique solution with excellent benefits and added value for the user and data analysis.

E.E: What are the ranges of traded products?

F.S: The ranges are:

  • Trinity F90+ – eVTOL fixe-wing, the mapping drone for professionals;
  • Vector – eVTOL fixed-wing, long-endurance ISR missions;
  • Scorpion – short endurance ISR missions, Tri-Copter;
  • QBase 3D and QBase Tactical – flight and mission planning;
  • Payloads.

Please see our website www.quantum-systems.com for detailed information.

E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?

F.S: Emerging, highly dynamic, and innovative drone market (B2B, Commerical and Governmental use).

E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?

F.S: In our view, the core technology trends for 2021 will be:

  • Robotics;
  • Artificial Intelligence;
  • Autonomous drone solutions/ fully autonomous operation of drones.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

F.S: The Quantum-Systems eVTOL fixed-wing sUAS unite the convenient handling of a multi-rotor drone and the efficient aerodynamics of an airplane into one system – making them unique.

“Automatic transition aircraft” is how Quantum-Systems calls this innovative and patented category of drones. After the vertical take-off and reaching the desired flight altitude, the drone has a short phase of acceleration. During this transition phase, the rotors, driven by electric motors, swivel from the vertical take-off position to a horizontal flight position. The patent for this innovative swivel mechanism and the unique transition technology was granted in 2012.

Our sUAS fly as efficiently as a fixed-wing airplane but allow for the easy vertical take-off and landing like a multi-rotor drone. No runway and no extra equipment are needed for take-off or landing. They land smoothly and controlled on their shock absorbing landing gear. This means reduced harm on the sUAS and sensors for an extended product life.

All our systems are designed, engineered and manufactured in Germany.

Vector™ & Scorpion™ – The 2-in-1 System

The 2-in-1 system comprises two configuration possibilities, opening further applications with just one UAS. The system consists of one fuselage and two different sets of wings (or arms in case of the copter) and tail. These can easily be detached to change between the Vector eVTOL fixed-wing UAS and the Scorpion tri-copter.

VECTOR™

Vector™ is a long endurance eVTOL fixed-wing UAS.

Flexible and enduring, Vector provides flight and surveillance characteristics that are exceeding performance of conventional UAS platforms.

The ability to operate in the most difficult terrain combined with extremely low noise emission make Vector the perfect UAS for a wide range of non-invasive operations. The encrypted mesh IP link sends video streams up to a range of 15+km and is tested and proven under harsh operating conditions. The flight time of up to 120 minutes speaks for itself.  All combined in a compact and robust electric VTOL UAS.

SCORPION™

Scorpion™ is a short endurance tri-copter UAS.

By attaching copter arms and the different tail to the fuselage, the system turns into a conventional multi-copter platform. The Scorpion impresses with the same mesh IP encrypted HD data link with an operating range of up to 15+ km. As a tri-copter, it is ideal for smaller-scale and stationary use, for example in densely built-up urban areas. With a flight time of 45 minutes, it can cover a wide range of applications.