Unmanned Systems Technology 019 | Navya Autonom Cab | Batteries | UGVs Insight | UAV Factory UAV28-EFI | Swiss Aerobotics Hummel | UMEX 2018 report | Antennas | Oceanology International 2018 report

58 saw all types of two-stroke engine issues. “So in about 2012 we started developing our own fuel-injected engine and actually managed to improve on the MTBF of the specialist UAV engines. Since then we have improved it further by an order of magnitude. “Our goal is to constantly improve the MTBF of the entire propulsion system, and we have come a long way compared to where we were in 2014. I believe we are now at the leading edge of what is feasible with this type of aircraft with this type of engine.” Headed by Karlis Putnieks, development of the UAV28-EFI is an ongoing process. We noted in 2014 that the company has a sophisticated engine testing cell, in which a power module can be run with a propeller attached to load the engine – propellers of different sizes provide different levels of loading. Data acquisition for development work includes the use of a pressure sensor in the tiny combustion chamber. The cell’s control system allows for flight simulation with unattended operation, so that engines can be run for hundreds of hours at a time for durability testing; engines are routinely tested for 50 hours at a time. The UAV28-EFI is designed to operate from -30 C up to +50 C. Putnieks says, “Corresponding tests have been conducted, as a part of the development process to verify its April/May 2018 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | UAV Factory UAV28-EFI The Penguin C in flight with the UAV28-EFI powering its pusher propeller Exploded view of UAV Factory’s UAV28-EFI engine, complete with intake, exhaust, cowling, propeller and generator