Tekdata Interconnections has delivered high-performance, lightweight actuator harnesses to help move forward the U.K.'s Mantis medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project.

The actuator harnesses are intended for use in intelligence gathering and strike operations. 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 has configured wiring harnesses linking electrical actuators for the vehicle's control surfaces to onboard flight-management and power systems. 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.