The Orbital 50cc Heavy Fuel engine is engineered wiht an air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder configuration that minimizes vibrations. It incorporates Orbital UAV’s exclusive FlexDI technology, which employs a spray-guided direct fuel injection mechanism to effectively atomize fuel using injected air.Weighing in at a mere 3 kg, this cutting-edge propulsion system is compatible with various heavy fuels, including JP-5, JP-8, Jet-A, and jet-A1, and also gasoline, and offers comprehensive diagnostics both during and after flight.
This 50cc Heavy Fuel Engine has demonstrated its reliability in combat, amassing over 150,000 operational hours in the field with Insitu. It serves as the preferred propulsion system for the Insitu ScanEagle 3, a long-endurance tactical ISR drone utilized by the armed forces of the United States and Australia.
Engine Specifications
| Power Output | 3.7 hp (2.8 kW) at 6500 RPM |
| Electrical Output | Approximately 250W |
| Weight | Approximately 3kg (dry) |
| Fuel Efficiency | 340 g/kWh on average |
| Maximum Operating Altitude | 20,000 ft |
| Operating Temperature Range | -30 to 55°C |
| Launch Acceleration | Approximately 20g for 30 ms |
| Current Time Between Overhauls (TBO) | 300-500 hours |