Unmanned Systems Technology 011 | C-Astral Bramor ppX | IMUs | Autonomous farming | UAV Turbines UTP50R | London Show report | Advanced materials | Las Vegas Expo report

50 S mall-displacement internal combustion engines for UAV propulsion are invariably piston or (Wankel-type) rotary units, but UAV Turbines aims to change that. The company has developed micro-turbines for the likes of robotics and power generation, and is now demonstrating the merit of its technology for small and medium-sized UAVs. “Our gas turbine engines will increase reliability, flight duration, payloads and operational ceilings, while greatly reducing noise,” says CEO Kirk Warshaw. That is a bold claim, prompting us to look in depth at the engineering behind its state-of-the- art UTP50R 50 hp Class Recuperated Engine. In what respects can it promise to deliver technical advantages over established piston and rotary solutions? Ian Bamsey charts the development of this micro-turbine that looks to set a new standard in UAV performance Small but perfectly formed December/January 2017 | Unmanned Systems Technology A new departure for UAV power – UAV Turbines’ UTP 50 hp recuperated gas turbine