Hirth develops new UAV engine
Hirth Motors has launched a new 15hp 4201 engine for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, the company announced on 11 January.
The air-cooled 4201 engine is a reed valve intake 2-stroke boxer engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI) and advanced closed loop fuel control, and CAN bus or RS485 interface for easy communication with the UAV flight computer. Shielding ECU/harness protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI), there is an optional reduction drive to enable use of a larger propeller to increase thrust, and optional lightweight 1kW starter/generator to provide remote start and air vehicle electrical power.
The engine is available in different variants to enable the choice of gasoline or heavy fuels such as Jet A, JP5 or JP8. Both fuel systems have automatic altitude and temperature compensation enabling reliable start and operation in a wide operating range.
The standard EFI system uses throttle body injection and runs on gasoline; while the heavy fuel engine can be upgraded to Hirth's iPower fuel injection technology which uses compression wave injection to enable spark ignition of heavy fuels. This variant meets NATO's one-fuel policy to eliminate gasoline for safety and logistics reasons.
Siegfried Goebler, CEO, Hirth, said: ‘The 4201 engine continues our expansion efforts to provide additional consumer off the shelf engine solutions for global UAV customers. UAV manufacturers continue to ask us for existing engines and don't have budgets for custom engine development programmes.
‘Hirth has been self-funding research and development efforts and are the leaders in providing off the shelf reliable lightweight UAV engine solutions in the power range from 8hp to 100hp to meet the global demand for this growing market.’
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
