NATEP Project Update: Assembly of Ultra-Light UAV Engine Begins

It was January 2016 when AIE (UK) Ltd first announced the news of their successful grant award from the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) to develop an extremely lightweight rotary propulsion unit for maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Since then, the NATEP Grant has supported AIE in utilising their patented, innovative technologies to design a rotary engine that delivers superior endurance, climb and payload for small, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. The results will ensure that the operational, technical and cost requirements for offshore surveillance can be suitably achieved.

From Concept Design to Development

Since the award of the NATEP grant, the project has progressed smoothly. Known for their clean-sheet design methods and manufacturing heritage in rotary engine innovations, AIE has drawn on their extensive experience to complete a conceptually new design for this ultra-light UAV engine and finalised the analysis stage of the project.

Moving into the development and testing stage of the rotary power unit, AIE are currently working through the assembly of the engine hardware. Manufactured in-house using AIE’s world-class facilities, the hardware will be combined with components from collaborative partner, Vortex Exhaust Technology for the production a new UAV propulsion prototype. The prototype will then be ready for the next stage of initial precision testing within AIE’s custom-built internal test cells.

High Expectations for Newly Assembled Rotary Engine Prototype

This current stage of hardware assembly is an exciting phase for AIE as they witness how their new rotary engine prototype and patented Compact SPARCS liquid-cooling technology will deliver unique capabilities and solutions for UAV maritime surveillance, as explained by Alex Vaughn, Business Development for AIE (UK) Ltd:

“The use of UAVs for maritime surveillance is logical as they can be deployed on demand without the need of an on-board crew, however propulsions systems for UAV surveillance require exceptional reliability due to extended flying times and sensitive payloads… this often leads to heavier engines, and heavier engines lead to high fuel consumption and cost. The NATEP grant has allowed us to develop a rotary engine propulsion system that not only addresses reliability issues, but is lightweight to reduce fuel consumption and powerful to increase climb and endurance. We have huge expectations for this new rotary propulsion unit.”

With expectations high for this UAV specific rotary engine design, AIE are keen to complete the final testing stages for the NATEP project and finally witness the new capabilities of this ultra-compact and reliable UAV propulsion system for maritime surveillance.

For the latest developments related to the progression of this project, connect with AIE on Twitter or LinkedIn or visit www.aieuk.com for more details.