Northwest UAV reveals its NW-44 engines featured in Skylark 3 Hybrid demonstration
The NW-44's innovative modular design makes it lightweight and easy to maintain, increasing its endurance, fuel efficiency, and lifespan, which reduces an NW-44 supported aircraft’s environmental impact. (Photo: Northwest UAV)
Elbit Systems demonstrated their new hybrid Skylark 3 featuring Northwest UAV’s NW-44 Multi-Fuel Engine.
Following Elbit System’s announcement of a successful demonstration of the Skylark 3 Hybrid to the RAF earlier this month, Northwest UAV has revealed its NW-44 Multi-Fuel Engine powered the vehicle alongside an electric motor.
The Skylark 3 Hybrid Small Tactical UAV has tripled in endurance, offering up to 18h of operations, without altering the size or weight of the aircraft.
The system utilises the NW-44 to rapidly reach the altitude at which point it may switch to the electric motor for sustained flight, making the UAS highly energy-efficient without sacrificing crucial capabilities.
Purpose-built to be a complete turn-key engine system solution, the NW-44 is a lightweight, multi-fuel UAV engine, with over 28,000 operational hours logged, suitable for a variety of Tier II UAVs (40-75lbs).
The Skylark 3 Hybrid UAS features a 15.4ft wingspan, an MTOW of 110lbs, a service ceiling of 12,000ft, and a range of 74.5mi.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![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.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
