Orbital to plan upgrade for Anduril drone engine

Drone engine manufacturer Orbital Corporation is to plan an engine upgrade pathway for one of autonomous technology and drone manufacturer Anduril’s uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

The Perth company has previously been contracted to deliver a test engine to US-based Anduril under a MoU covering joint development of concepts, products and technical solutions in the uncrewed domain.

Now Orbital will develop an upgrade pathway for another engine, completing the work this calendar year.

“At this time both Anduril and Orbital UAV will evaluate the potential production responsibilities and volume requirements of the engine.”

Under the MoU Anduril staff have visited Orbital in Perth and evaluated the company’s heavy fuel engine capabilities, with Orbital following up with a visit to Anduril in California.

Orbital CEO Todd Alder said: “As we continue to build our relationship…Orbital UAV has an opportunity to participate in and influence programmes that will be at the forefroint of future global UAS operations.”

CEO of Anduril Australia David Goodrich said his company was committed to ‘delivering cutting-edge at speed’.

Anduril is known for its ability to develop and field new products in a fraction of the time taken by existing US military suppliers, leading to several contracts from the US Department of Defense.

Further reading:
EXCELLENCE IN MARITIME MANUFACTURING – ANDURIL’S EXTRA LARGE AUTONOMOUS UNDERSEA VEHICLES
ORBITAL TO DELIVER DRONE TEST ENGINE TO ANDURIL

Picture: Anduril: Ghost 4 UAS