China’s latest solar-powered drone, known the Caihong (or “Rainbow” in English), has set a domestic record when it comes to unmanned aerial vehicles and their maximum altitude and time aloft. During a secretive test flight that began and ended in an unnamed airport in China’s northwestern region, the solar-powered Caihong reached an altitude of 20,000 meters (66,000 feet)—and stayed in the air for an entire day. Continue reading
Category Archives: Aircraft Propulsion & Energy
Wirth Research VTOL Hydrogen Powered UAV
Wirth Research has released more details of its new Tilt Rotor, Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL), hydrogen fuel cell powered, advanced terrain mapping drone. The all-new Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) will be VTOL capable for its long-endurance missions, carrying its primary mission payload of a sophisticated suite of terrain-mapping sensors and on-board data processing capabilities. Continue reading
3W-International Offers Technical Customer Services
The new customer service of the German engine manufacturer is called 3W Engineering Services. This will not only be offered to existing and new 3W customers, but also to third-party customers and includes various service, test and measurement activities relating to engines and drive units and their further development.
WiBotic Gets $2.5 M New Funding for Wireless Power Solutions
WiBotic, a supplier of wireless power and battery intelligence solutions for the robotics industry, announced it has raised $2.5 million in a seed round. The new investment round is led by Tsing Capital, and includes investments from Comet Labs and Digi Labs as well as follow-on investments from W Fund, WRF Capital and Wisemont Capital. Continue reading
ScanEagle Flies with Fuel Cell Power
Ballard Power Systems announced that the company’s subsidiary, Protonex, has successfully powered test flights of the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the Company’s PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell propulsion system.
Second Generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell Drone
This year at FAMEX, Chinese manufacturer MMC introduces its new technology of hydrogen UAS HyDrone 1800 with upgraded specifications to meet higher standards in professional applications. The Feria Aeroespacial México 2017 (FAMEX 2017) kicks off at Mexico City on 26 April. Continue reading
Boeing Invests in ‘Hybrid to Electric’ Aircraft Startup
Boeing’s newly launched venture investment division, HorizonX, along with JetBlue Technology Ventures, are investing in a startup developing an electric-powered aircraft with the potential to transform short-haul flights.
Improved Maneouverability for UAVs
Modified UAV with actuators enabling rotor tilt.
Investigators at the Institute of Systems Optimization (ITE) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany have undertaken a project to increase the level of control of quadrotor drones by adding tilt-able rotors and associated control systems.