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A US defence technology company has requested the services of the Perth-based drone solutions company.
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AeroVironment, a US-based UAS company, has tasked Orbital UAV with supplying its latest heavy fuel engine for assessment.
The engine is slated for delivery in the second half of the 2023 financial year (FY23).
Todd Alder, CEO and managing director of Orbital UAV, welcomed the opportunity to work with “one of the most significant players” in the global tactical UAS market.
“The opportunity to work with AeroVironment is yet another demonstration of the diversification of our customer portfolio and the growing reputation of our superior heavy fuel engine technology,” he said.
AeroVironment has been expanding its presence in the global UAS market in recent years, acquiring Group 2 and 3 UAS provider Arcturus UAV in February 2021.
AeroVironment now offers customers a full suite of Group 1 through 3 UAS platforms, tactical missile systems, high altitude pseudo-satellites, and unmanned ground vehicle solutions.
“With the acquisition of Arcturus, AeroVironment provides an expanded product range incorporating platforms highly relevant to Orbital UAV’s technology and capabilities,” Alder added.
“We look forward to working with AeroVironment to demonstrate the superiority of our heavy fuel engine capability and exploring opportunities where we can further support their current and future objectives.”
The announcement of Orbital UAV’s collaboration with AeroVironment comes just a month after the US Army awarded the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Increment 1 Other Transaction Agreement to the US company for one JUMP 20 system.
The FTUAS program aims to replace the currently fielded RQ-7B Shadow UAS in ground manoeuvre brigade combat teams.
According to a statement from the US Army, Increment 1 plans to “field readily available mature technologies” in response to a directed requirement from the Army Futures Command.
“US Army’s FTUAS program represents one of the most prominent and significant opportunities within the global tactical UAS market,” Alder said.
“Amongst many requirements, capability for the UAS vehicle to run on heavy fuel remains key. Orbital UAV has had a long-term strategy to track this program and has built relationships with several suppliers down selected in the Army’s acquisition process.
“This order from AeroVironment further establishes Orbital UAV’s positive position in relation to the program.”
This latest deal comes just a week after Orbital UAV was 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 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.
[Related: Orbital UAV secures Anduril contract]
