The increase in military and civilian use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in recent years has lead to an increase in the need for components that power these platforms, and Rolls-Royce has had success in the past, and seems ready for the projected multi-billion growth of the unmanned market over the next decade as the U.S. and other nations prepare to integrate UAS into civilian airspace. Continue reading
Category Archives: Aircraft Propulsion & Energy
Rolls-Royce Turbofan Powers Triton Flight
A single Rolls-Royce AE 3007 engine powers the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, unmanned aircraft built by a Northrop Grumman-lead team. Continue reading
US Naval Research Laboratory Shatters Endurance Record for Small Electric UAS
Researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory flew their fuel cell powered Ion Tiger UAS for 48 hours and 1 minute on April 16-18 by using liquid hydrogen fuel in a new, NRL-developed, cryogenic fuel storage tank and delivery system. Continue reading
Boeing X-51A WaveRider Hits Mach 5.1 on 4th Flight
WaveRider unmanned hypersonic vehicle achieved the longest air-breathing, scramjet-powered hypersonic flight in history May 1, flying for three and a half minutes on scramjet power at a top speed of Mach 5.1. Continue reading
Ionic Wind Thrusters – An Efficient Alternative to Conventional Atmospheric Propulsion Technologies ?
When a current passes between two electrodes — one thinner than the other — it creates a wind in the air between. If enough voltage is applied, the resulting wind can produce a thrust without the help of motors or fuel. Continue reading
UAV Factory Offers Super Silent UAS Muffler
After 7 months of the extensive development and testing, UAV Factory has released details of the low-noise muffler for small unmanned aircraft. Continue reading
Analytic Systems Gets Order for 60 More Power Systems for AAI Shadow
Analytic Systems has received an additional order for 60 more power system for AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft. This follows on from the large order already received in December 2012. Continue reading
Festo BionicOpter Beats Dragonfly at its Own Game
[youtube nj1yhz5io20 nolink]
With the BionicOpter, Festo has applied the highly complex characteristics of the mechanics of dragonfly flight to an ultra-lightweight flying object at a technical level. Continue reading