MLB Super Bat
Goodrich Corporation and Currawong Engineering Pty Ltd. of Tasmania, Australia, have announced a joint distribution agreement for technology developed for small gasoline and heavy fuel UAS engines.
Goodrich will become a worldwide distributor for the marketing, selling and integration of Currawong’s high efficiency Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) technology called “SEEFIS”. The Currawong SEEFIS technology, already tightly integrated with Goodrich’s industry standard Piccolo autopilot, can dramatically increase the engine reliability and fuel efficiency of today’s UAS, while simultaneously extending their range to achieve longer mission profiles. California’s MLB Super Bat is one aircraft already using both technoligies. With this agreement, the combined EFI-autopilot solution will now also be supported through Goodrich’s sales and support channels, greatly extending the global reach and access to Currawong’s product and the combined solution in the UAS community.
“This agreement continues a long working relationship between Goodrich and Currawong,” said Ken Hosking, chief operating officer of Currawong. “We have successfully co-developed technological advancements and this extends the relationship into a further important market area.”
“The capability of converting gasoline engines to heavy fuel operation and integrating the engine’s controller with the autopilot can dramatically increase reliability, which is a major benefit for the UAS industry,” said Ross Hoag, chief engineer of Goodrich’s ISR Systems team in Hood River, Oregon. “Electronic fuel injection offers substantial improvements in endurance to UAS engines allowing for more persistent ISR capability, and is in high demand.”
In addition to offering component level and fully integrated EFI solutions, Goodrich will provide custom engine integration services for both U.S. and international unmanned vehicle integrators. Moreover, Goodrich is investing in the construction of an advanced engine development and calibration facility in Hood River that will continue to research advancements in this important area.
The Hood River, Oregon facility, Cloud Cap, was acquired by Goodrich in 2009 and is part of its ISR Systems business. The Hood River team specializes in UAS system components including its industry standard Piccolo autopilots and advanced TASE stabilized gimbaled camera systems. Cloud Cap products are widely used in military combat operations as well as many commercial applications worldwide.
Source: Press Release