Orbital delivers ScanEagle UAS engine
Orbital has delivered the first purpose-built ScanEagle UAS engine to Insitu for in-house testing and development, the company announced on 16 September.
The engine is the first reciprocating internal combustion propulsion system to be engineered from the ground up specifically for small UAS.
The engine incorporates Orbital’s new Argon Engine Control Unit (ECU) and control system. The Argon ECU provides real-time monitoring and diagnostics of all critical systems, sensor and actuator redundancy, and extensive ‘black box’ recording capability. The system also uses Orbital’s FLEXDI technology, which enables high performance for heavy fuel SUAS engine applications, significantly extending the range for the aircraft in flight.
The engine will now undergo a rigorous bench testing programme followed by flight testing. If successful, Orbital expects to receive a low volume production contract to be supplied from the company’s facilities in Perth, Australia.
Terry Stinson, CEO and managing director, Orbital, said: ‘Delivery of this first engine is a major milestone in the UAV propulsion engineering project.
‘The new propulsion system has features that are intended to drive a step change in performance and reliability in the SUAS propulsion market.’
Orbital began working with Insitu on the project in January 2013 as part of an initial design, development and validation contract to supply UAV propulsion systems.
Ryan Hartman, president and CEO, Insitu, added: ‘Insitu is extremely pleased with the receipt of this first propulsion system and our collaboration with Orbital Corporation in Australia. We conducted a rigorous selection process for our next generation propulsion supply partner, and this event further proves that we made the right choice.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
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.
