Orbital Delivers First UAS Engine to Insitu

Photo courtesy Orbital Corp. Ltd.

by Scott Kesselman

Australia-based Orbital Corp. Ltd. has delivered a state-of-the-art internal combustion UAV propulsion system to Insitu Inc., a subsidiary of Boeing, for rigorous bench and flight testing.

The companies began working together in 2013 for initial design and development of propulsion systems, and this success signals future production contracts for Orbital. The system contains advancements for small UAS, including real-time monitoring and diagnostics of essential systems, sensor and actuator redundancy, better fuel performance for increased range and low vibration with noise suppression. 

For Insitu, the leader in the small UAS market segment, President and CEO Ryan Hartman says of their partnership, “We conducted a rigorous selection process for our next-generation propulsion supply partner, and this even further proves that we made the right choice.”

Terry Stinson, CEO and managing director of Orbital adds, “Building on continuing success with Insitu, this new UAV propulsion initiative has the potential to evolve into a $100 million per annum revenue business for Orbital.”