Aero Development Japan Co., Ltd. is developing a Halbach generator and gas turbine power for heavy and long-distance drones. The company has succeeded in the operation test of the combined hybrid power unit. Continue reading
Category Archives: Aircraft Propulsion & Energy
Orbital UAV Signs New Contract with Textron / Lycoming
Aerosonde HQ at the US Army’s FTUAS Rodeo in February 2021
Orbital Corporation Ltd announced that it has signed a new engine development and supply agreement with Textron subsidiary, Lycoming Engines. The new agreement includes a 12-month engine development program, which will enable the integration of an Orbital UAV-designed core engine, including proprietary fuel and engine control systems, into Textron Systems’ Aerosonde program. Continue reading
Drone Propellers to Get Quieter
The anechoic, or ‘echo-free’, test chamber at CSIRO
Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia have published a study revealing their successful approach to designing much quieter propellers.
Rolls-Royce to Power Vertical Aerospace’s eVTOL
Rolls-Royce’s ground-breaking technology is set to power Vertical Aerospace’s flagship Urban Air Mobility (UAM) aircraft. A Rolls-Royce electrical power system will be integrated into the piloted all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, which will carry up to four passengers for 120 miles at cruise speeds of over 200mph and is on course to certify in 2024. Continue reading
ePropelled Launches Comprehensive UAV Product Line
ePropelled, the Massachusetts-based technology company offering leading-edge electromagnetic systems, unveiled the next-generation family of power generation and propulsion products for UAV and other aviation applications. The ePropelled UAV product line consists of starter generators, intelligent power systems, DC supplies, and electronic engine starters that operate with internal combustion engines, and electric propulsion motors and air motor controllers for eVTOLs, full electric and hybrid aircraft. Continue reading
Honeywell Develops Power Source for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
Honeywell announced that it is developing a power source for hybrid-electric aircraft, planned for demonstration later this year. Continue reading
Turning Paris Airport into a Hydrogen Ecosystem
The Paris region, Groupe ADP, Air France-KLM and Airbus are launching a call for expressions of interest to explore the opportunities generated by hydrogen in Paris airports with the aim to decarbonize air transport activities. Continue reading
LiquidPiston Gets US Air Force Contract to Develop X-Engine
LiquidPiston, Inc., a developer of advanced rotary internal combustion engines, has announced the adaptation of its X-Engine technology for the United States Air Force to use in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as well as “orbs” – urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles designed to carry people and cargo around. Continue reading