Rotron Power’s RT600 Rotary Engine for UAS Reaches 500 Hours of Simulated Flight Time
Rotron Power Ltd. has announced that its RT600 rotary engine, which is made for UAS applications, has surpassed 500 hours of simulated flight time. Rotron’s RT600 rotary engine is a part of a new generation of tier two class UAS engines.
“Rotron’s extensive development of the RT600 engine to validate and improve its reliability and endurance allows us to deliver maximum mission-ready availability and bottom-line value to our customers – helping to reduce maintenance schedules, logistical and supply requirements, and lower operating costs,” says Jim Edmondson, Rotron Power MD and Parent Company Gilo Industries Group CEO, via press release.
As a manufacturer of advanced rotary-powered propulsion systems for UAS applications, Rotron accomplished this milestone thanks in large part to a grant from the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP).
The grant was used to help conduct research on ways to increase the endurance and longevity of UAS engines. According to the company, the RT600 has a 350-hour lead in operational endurance over its competitors. Rotron notes that current engines usually top out at 150 hours of typical rated flying time before overhaul.
“Our engines allow customers to fly longer with superior performance compared to others in this field, and will continue to play a crucial role in the UAV industry well into the future,” adds Edmondson.
Rotron plans to identify an “extended, definitive flight hour limit” for the RT600 by collecting test data and engine analysis, while also continuing to conduct engine testing, during the duration of development.
