Orbital to develop engine for aerial logistics

Perth drone engine manufacturer Orbital UAV is to explore potential advanced propulsion systems for aerial logistics company Animal Dynamics’ Stork-STM uncrewed aircraft system.

The system would be used on the Stork-STM (pictured), a heavy-lift parafoil craft designed to carry heavy loads of up to 135kgs over distances of up to 400km.

Importantly, the MoU between the two companies opens the way for Orbital to break into the European UAV market – until now Orbital engines have been developed mainly for Boeing offshoot, Insitu.

Oxford-based Animal Dynamics already offers an early generation of the Stork-STM for customer evaluation trials.

Orbital UAV CEO Todd Adler said: “Stork-STM is a ground breaking UAS that will create a unique solution for the defence sector and beyond.

“…The logistical and safety benefits of heavy fuel combined with Orbital UAV’spatented technology and proven capability continue to drive our global growth opportunity.

“…This opportunity with Animal Dynamics expands our global reach and builds on a number of near-term opportunities.”

According to Adler the engine developed for Stork-STM would also power an Australian sovereign vehicle being developed by Animal Dynamics and Omega Dev Group in Sydney.

CEO of Omega Dev Blair Hickey said: “Orbital’s world-class engineering is another good reason for the Australian Defence Force to be confident that our Pelican UAV brings class leading performance and value for money.”

Further reading:
ORBITAL SIGNS NEW UAV ENGINE DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT

Picture: Orbital UAV Stork-STM