Aeronautics has identified the market potential of untethered hovering aircraft, and is investing in the development of such technology for the domestic and international markets.

The company is utilising its experience in unmanned air vehicles to help it develop a hovering system, Dany Eshchar, Aeronautics deputy CEO says, adding that it aims is to produce a system with a maximum take-off weight of 20kg and a one-hour endurance.

Eshchar says that there is a growing demand for hovering systems, and that the company will continue to grow in this area in response to a requirement to use this type of technology for “certain missions”.

Meanwhile, Aeronautics has also completed the development of a new power pack for its family of UAVs, which is part of a company initiative to diversify its product line and add extra endurance and more efficiency to its UAVs.

Orbiter 3 - Aeronautics

Aeronautics

Aeronautics is also developing a heavy-fuel engine and a hybrid engine. Eshchar says that the company is conducting tests with the new hybrid engine for its Orbiter 3 UAV to increase the system’s endurance from 7h to 20h.

Zanzottera Engines, an Italian subsidiary of Aeronautics, is also developing a heavy-fuel engine for UAS, and tests have been conducted using its 498hp engine on an Aerostar UAV.

Source: FlightGlobal.com