Insitu demonstrates Electronic Fuel Injection technology on Heavy Fuel Engine
Insitu successfully flight-tested electronic fuel injection (EFI) on its heavy fuel engine (HFE). This achievement is a key risk-reduction milestone for the company's small tactical unmanned aircraft system (STUAS)/Tier II offer, the Integrator unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The EFI HFE technology will be incorporated into Insitu's entire family of UAS.
Introduction of EFI into the HFE is a technological leap in small engine UAS performance, providing overall improvements- especially in extreme temperatures and at high altitudes, including mountainous terrain. In addition to providing accurate fuel metering under varying atmospheric and engine conditions, important engine data and system status are provided by the EFI controller to the ground station. This allows for improved engine performance monitoring and more effective control of the aircraft to achieve mission success.
"Electronic fueling enhances the overall performance and reliability of our unmanned systems," said Insitu Chief Technology Officer Charlie Guthrie. "We have been researching and evaluating electronic fuel systems for a couple of years, and we now have the key components in place to support this development. This technology will be incorporated into our entire family of unmanned systems."
The HFE EFI conversion is a field-level upgrade and will be available for existing ScanEagle UAS early in the summer of 2010.This technology is also being incorporated into the development of the Integrator UAS for the STUAS/Tier II program and Insitu's commercial release of Integrator.
Heavy fuel, a kerosene-based fuel commonly used in jet aircraft engines, is used as a safer alternative to gasoline and is more readily available and cost-effective in theater on both land and sea. Insitu's HFE aircraft recently logged more than 3,800 operational flight hours meeting the system safety and logistics requirements aboard maritime vessels, while increasing system endurance. The HFE technology, which enhances overall engine performance and reliability, was a critical requirement of the US Navy when deciding to place Insitu UAS on DDG-class ships.
Source: Insitu
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.