Orbital Corporation to power US Navy drones

Orbital Corporation has landed a $4.7 million contract to supply engines for a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) operated by the US Navy.

The engine, which the company has named 'The Redback', has been developed to meet the USN's Heavy Fuel Engine specification. Rather than petrol, the single-cylinder two-stroke engine runs on kerosene — a fuel heavier, but less volatile than petrol — and the company's radical fuel delivery technology enables the Redback to meet the targets laid out in the Navy's specification.

"Key to our engineering team's success with the Redback has been the use of Orbital's patented FlexDI fuel injection and engine management system," Orbital's Director of Engineering, Geoff Cathcart was quoted saying in a press release.

"FlexDI differs from conventional direct injection systems because it injects the fuel at comparatively low pressure and utilises air pressure to atomise the mixture as it is delivered to the combustion chamber. The system provides electronic lubrication control for reliability and its greater fuel efficiency extends the flight range of the SUAS by up to 40 per cent, or allows AAI to increase the payload."

AAI is the manufacturer of the SUAS for the Navy. Its Australian division, Aerosonde, developed the aircraft for the parent company. Orbital's involvement in the project commenced two years ago and the engine, which the company says will fit in a shoebox, features lightweight construction and noise-abatement design for extended range and stealth operations, respectively. It was the latter, in fact, along with reliable continuous operation that helped sell the advanced engine to the USN.

"This is a good example of Australian innovation and demonstrates our engineering and product development capabilities," said Orbital CEO and Managing Director, Terry Stinson.

"This is an exciting new market for Orbital; it builds on our core technical strength, uses our patented FlexDI technology and moves Orbital into the engine supply business in an international market. The requirement for the small unmanned aerial systems market is growing fast and we look forward to realising this potential."

Worldwide, the company's FlexDI technology has been rolled out in more than 650,000 vehicles of all types during the 16 years it has been in service, but the SUAS is the first known application of the technology in an aircraft.

Pictured: Geoff Cathcart with the Redback

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