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The ASX-listed company has been selected to support the development of an enhanced engine for uncrewed aircraft.
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Orbital Corporation has announced it has been contracted by global defence technology company Anduril Industries to help identify a pathway for upgrades to engines supporting Anduril’s uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) programs.
Orbital’s engineering team has been tasked with completing its contracted work with Anduril by the first half of the 2023 financial year (FY23).
This is set to involve the delivery of a costed scope of work for the engine upgrade.
If the proposed engine upgrade pathway is approved by Anduril, Orbital UAV would be contracted to complete this development work in the second half of FY23.
This would be informed by a joint evaluation of the potential production responsibilities and volume requirements of the engine.
This comes four months after the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) designed to develop concepts, products and technical solutions for uncrewed platforms.
This followed Anduril’s review of Orbital UAV’s operations and heavy fuel engine capabilities in Western Australia.
Orbital UAV’s team then visited Anduril’s headquarters in California, USA, reviewing the US-based company’s project pipeline.
“Having successfully demonstrated Orbital UAV’s superior heavy fuel engine capability to the Anduril team, this contract is a continuation of the collaborative approach the companies have adopted working on concepts, products and technical solutions in the evolving uncrewed domain,” Todd Alder, CEO and managing director of Orbital UAV, said.
“As we continue to build our relationship with the Anduril teams in the USA and their Asia-Pacific subsidiary, Orbital UAV has an opportunity to participate in and influence programs that will be at the forefront of future global UAS operations.”
David Goodrich, executive chairman and CEO, Anduril Australia and Asia-Pacific, welcomed the opportunity to further the company’s relationship with Orbital UAV.
“Anduril is committed to delivering cutting-edge technology at speed. The Orbital UAV team has been responsive to our current requirements, to support the progress of our latest UAS program,” he said.
“We look forward to collaborating with Orbital UAV on this initial engine investigation work, which if successful, may lead to further opportunities to work together in the future.”
[Related: Orbital UAV, Anduril sign MoU]
