WILLIAMS International is replacing a Lockheed Martin/RPI team in the effort to develop and field a heavy fuel engine for the TRW/Israel Aircraft Industries Hunter unmanned air vehicle (UAV).
The Lockheed Martin/RPI work to qualify a rotary engine for the short-range UAV was suspended because of weight problems associated with the selected power plant. The team was working under a $13 million contract to replace the Hunter's Italian-made Motto-Guzzi gasoline engine.
The need for larger heat exchangers caused the engine's weight to grow by 10% to 118kg, prompting TRW/IAI and the UAV Joint Project Office (JPO) to seek alternative power plants.
Williams International will step in with the 30kW (40shp) WTS-117, which already powers Boeing's Heliwing UAV and is being qualified for the Canadair CL-227 Sentinel drone.
One WTS-117 engine will power the Hunter UAV versus the two rotary power plants - although it will need to carry additional fuel to cater for higher consumption. Lockheed Martin and RPI hope to win funds from the JPO to finish their development.
Source: Flight International
