Category Archives: Aircraft Propulsion & Energy

US Army Trials BAE Systems Counter-Drone Laser Guidance Kits

The Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) has successfully tested BAE Systems’ APKWS laser-guidance kits in a counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) mission. The testing against Class-2 UAS paves the way for fielding of the precision-guided rockets to partner nations around the globe.

Continue reading →

Hybrid-Electric Propulsion – The Reason Why

In early March, Dufour Aerospace put the hybrid unit, consisting of a two-cylinder engine from Suter Industries, a generator from Plettenberg and our own digital control hardware, into operation for the first time on its own test bench. Some further optimisation and testing work still remains to be done before the drive can then be installed on the Aero2 X2.3 prototype. Continue reading →

Wingcopter and ZAL to Develop Hydrogen Power for Delivery Drones

Wingcopter, the German developer and operator of delivery drones, and Hamburg-based ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research GmbH have announced a development partnership. Together, they intend to explore the potential of green hydrogen to power Wingcopter’s drones, which are already purely electric, and develop a sustainable, hydrogen-based propulsion system. Continue reading →

Propeller Advance Paves Way for Quiet, Efficient Electric Aviation

Electrification is seen as having an important role to play in the fossil-free aviation of tomorrow. But electric aviation is battling a dilemma: the more energy-efficient an electric aircraft is, the noisier it gets. Now, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed a propeller design optimisation method that paves the way for quiet, efficient electric aviation. Continue reading →

Maiden Flight for South African Startup’s Hydrogen-Electric STOL Drone

A Cape Town-based technology start-up, FlyH2 Aerospace, has announced the successful maiden flights of its hydrogen-electric Dragonfly V drone, which is designed for commercial use. The fixed-wing STOL drone, which is capable of carrying heavy payloads, has a range of potential applications including agriculture pest control, farm security, and wildlife management, as well as long-range humanitarian airdrops. Continue reading →