Unmanned Systems Technology 005 | Selex ES Falco UAV | Sense and avoid systems | RCV Engines DF70 | DSEI show report | Fuel cells | CUAV Expo, InterDrone and CUAV Show reports | SLAM

44 A s a specialist manufacturer of highly efficient ultra-light engines, it is no surprise that RCV Engines (RCV) should have established itself as a key player in the market for UAV internal combustion power plants. The company has a unique technology, at the heart of which is its own development of the rotary valve concept. Rotary valve (as opposed to Wankel- type rotary) four-stroke engines are rare but not unknown. Mercedes, for example, tested a rotary valve Formula One engine, only for the rule makers to ban it before it could be raced. In a world of small-displacement engines where the norm is either a two-stroke or a Wankel- type rotary, RCV’s DF70 UAV boxer twin, with heavy-fuel capability, makes a refreshing alternative. Background The origin of the DF70 was a tiny, single- cylinder four-stroke internal combustion engine devised for model aircraft, and it had a unique feature – its cylinder liner/ Ian Bamsey dissects this rotary valve four-stroke that brings fresh thinking to the UAV market Rotary club RCV Engines’ DF70 rotary valve boxer Dec 2015/Jan 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology