UAV engine

US-based UAV Turbines has unveiled a new gas turbine engine for unmanned aircraft.

Specifically designed for group three and above UAV programmes, the engine is said to produce lower noise, while providing increased reliability, flight duration, payloads, and operational ceilings.

UAV Turbines senior industry advisor Peter Bale said: "For 15 years, UAVT’s predecessor company has been pioneering new, high-performance turbine engine technology in unprecedentedly small engines with many potential applications.

"About three years ago, new management with fresh capital assigned the engineering team the task of creating a family of turbine engines that would be superior in performance and more reliable than any other engine in the UAV marketplace."

"UAV Turbines said it will demonstrate prototypes of small engines to potential buyers in the UAV industry."

According to the company, the engineering team has developed the engine with mean-time-between-overhaul (MTBO) in thousands of hours, compared with less than 100 hours MTBO in existing internal combustion unmanned vehicle systems.

Bale said: "UAVT’s strength has been its extraordinary engineering team.

"Many are retired long-timers in the industry, key figures in development of the major military and civilian propulsion systems on which our society relies."

UAV Turbines said it will demonstrate prototypes of small engines to potential buyers in the UAV industry.

UAV Turbines’ parent company Locust USA designs and develops lightweight turbines.

In 2011, the company was taken over by an investment group to develop reproducible engines. Last year, Locust USA changed its name as UAV Turbines.

Image: UAV Turbines 40hp class turboprop propulsion system with gearbox, variable pitch prop, and recuperation system. PRNewsFoto / UAV Turbines, Inc.