Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman product focus Last year, Northrop Grumman Firebird intelligence-gathering air system successfully used three different high-definition video sensors and an electronics support payload all at the same time. Sensor Payloads UAS payload developers producing more compact and complex systems as focus shifts from military missions to civilian ones By Ed McKenna acing tight budgets and a military operation drawdown, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology vendors are refining their offerings to meet changing market conditions and targeting not just battlefield missions but also civilian opportunities. Aircraft producers are looking to offset a potential slowdown in sales by adding capability and revamping existing platforms to accommodate additional technologies. With a boost from technology advances, sensor payload developers are producing more compact and complex systems to meet growing demand. While budgets are getting tighter, there is no sign of a drop off in worldwide UAS sales. In its annual report, the Teal Group estimates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) annual expenditures will grow from $6.6 billion this year to $11.4 billion in 2021.That tally is only slightly off last projected growth. The sales rate for sensor payloads during the same period is projected to rise a bit from $2.7 billion to $6 billion per year. 20 Avionics Magazine August 2012 www.avionicstoday.com