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Czech developer Primoco UAV has designed its own engine for a new generation of autonomous UAVs (writes Nick Flaherty). The Primoco 500 is an air-cooled four-cylinder engine with a power output of 50 hp and a weight of 15 kg, its low weight coming as a result of using a light aluminium alloy. The Primoco UAV is a civilian unmanned aerial vehicle capable of flying autonomously using programmed flight plans with a ten-hour endurance, a 1500 km range and fully automatic take-off and landing. It is suitable for applications including agriculture, border control and search and rescue. Several manufacturers of experimental and unmanned aircraft have already shown interest in the engine. The company will start offering it to customers in the fourth quarter of 2017. The estimated production is 50 to 100 units a year. Light touch for UAV engine Propulsion The Primoco 500 air-cooled four-cylinder has a light aluminium alloy construction