Propulsion
The US Navy has completed a successful test flight of an MH-60 Seahawk flown with a 50/50 blend of algae-based and petroleum-based jet fuels. It marks the first time a military aircraft has flown on a 100 percent algae-derived jet fuel. The bio-fuel, Solajet
Propulsion
Pratt & Whitney has completed a trial run of its EcoPower engine wash on U.S. Navy Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawks. Testing was held at Naval Base Coronado, Calif., and was the first military test of the product. The environmental friendly engine wash uses a closed-loop system with atomized
Propulsion
Ultra Electronics has confirmed providing a new fuel cell that quadrupled the range of a conventionally-powered Lockheed Martin Stalker UAS. The UAS Power Pod is aimed at dramatically increasing the endurance of any UAS in the class below the 18kg (39.7lb) Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle. The 2.6kg power
Propulsion
Oregon-based, family-run Northwest UAV Propulsion Systems is developing a suite of technologies to boost the performance and lighten the load for small unmanned aircraft systems. Northwest provides gasoline and heavy fuel engines for variety of small UAS, including the Boeing/Insitu Scan Eagle and Integrator, as well as
Propulsion
Composites Horizons, a provider of composite tooling and composite products for space components, aircraft manufacturing and medical equipment, has announced that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has selected the company for producing an exhaust duct for the Predator C Avenger . CHI is a part of Hampson Aerospace, a manufacturer
Propulsion
Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) officials say that the Kaveri aero-engine, which incidentally is over 22 years in the making by now with a sanctioned cost of Rs 2,893 crore ($388M), can power unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) because they "do not require the kind
Propulsion
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is evaluating aerial refuelling for the upgraded version of its Heron unmanned aircraft system, which is better equipped to perform maritime missions. The Israeli navy is in the process of phasing out its manned Westwind 1124 Seascan maritime reconnaissance aircraft, which have been operated since 1978,
Propulsion
UAS Dynamics - a joint venture between Elbit Systems and General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products - has enhanced the performance, mission capabilities and operability of the Skylark 1LE mini UAS. Assessing U.S. requirements made it clear that the needs of the U.S. forces and Special Operations community were different
Research
Israel Aerospace Industries is still looking for a fuel cell power system to replace the batteries currently used on its small unmanned aircraft systems. "We have a development plan for fuel cells in cooperation with Horizon, a leading developer," said Tommy Silberring, general manager of IAI's
Propulsion
Erik Lindbergh, founder of LEAP, announced the winner of the Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft at the World Electric Aircraft Symposium at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. PC-Aero is the winner for its integration of Solar World’s solar technology into its ELEKTRA ONE aircraft and the supporting hangar.
Research
Lockheed Martin's Intelligent Robotics Laboratories has spent the last five years developing an unmanned craft to replicate the motion of maple tree seeds, whirring softly to the ground like silent one-winged helicopters. The device, called the Samarai, is scheduled to make its public debut next week at
Propulsion
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. was awarded a $13,473,894 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to supply an alternate heavy fuel engine kit upgrade for the Gray Eagle. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to upgrade a Block O Gray Eagle with an alternate