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Suppliers of Propulsion & Power Systems
Upgrade Energy
Innovative Battery Technologies | High-Performance Battery Packs for Drones & Unmanned Systems
Platinum Partner
SES AI
AI-Enhanced, NDAA-compliant High-Energy Density Batteries for Drones & Unmanned Systems
Platinum Partner
Sila Nanotechnologies
Revolutionary Silicon Anode Lithium-Ion Battery Technology for the Next Generation of Electric Drone & Robotic Vehicle Performance
Platinum Partner
HOBBYWING
Advanced Multirotor & VTOL Drone Propulsion Systems | Motors, ESCs & Propellers
Platinum Partner
IPET Systems
Innovative Integrated Propulsion Systems for Professional Multirotor & Fixed-Wing Drone Platforms
Platinum Partner
T-MOTOR
Cutting-Edge Propulsion Systems for UAVs: Drone Motors, ESCs, and Propellers
Platinum Partner
Austars Model
Advanced VTOL & Fixed-Wing UAVs | State-Of-The-Art Technologies for Unmanned & Autonomous Aircraft
Platinum Partner
Honeywell Aerospace
BVLOS Solutions for UAS & UAM: Fuel Cells, Radar, Navigation Sensors, Flight Control & SATCOM
Platinum Partner
UXV Technologies
Pioneering Ground Control Stations (GCS), Gimbals & Tactical Solutions for Unmanned Systems & Defense Robotics
Platinum Partner
MaxAmps Lithium Batteries
Custom Lithium Batteries for Drones & UAV - Lithium Polymer Batteries & LiPo Battery Packs
Platinum Partner
Ayaa UAV Power
Advanced Battery Packs and Intelligent BMS Solutions for Drones and Robotics
Gold Partner
Suter Industries
Cutting-Edge Propulsion Systems for Mission-Critical UAVs & Advanced Unmanned Technology
Gold Partner
Redwire
Long-Endurance Fixed-Wing & Hybrid VTOL UAVs | UAV Payload Camera Systems | Power Systems
Gold Partner
Analog Modules, Inc.
Laser Electronics & Sensor Modules for UAVs, Unmanned Platforms & Counter-UAS Systems
Gold Partner
Kollmorgen
Cutting-Edge Precision Motor & Motion Solutions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Gold Partner
Kraken Robotics
Innovative High-Resolution Subsea Imaging and Power Technologies for Commercial, Scientific & Military Underwater Survey Missions
Gold Partner
Tamilan
Quadcopter Airframes and Complete Drone Solutions for Civilian, Commercial, and Military Applications
Gold Partner
Hirth Engines
Cutting-Edge Two-Stroke Gasoline & Heavy Fuel Engines for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Gold Partner
Vector Technics
Unified Propulsion Systems for Mission-Critical, High-Reliability UAV Platforms
Gold Partner
BEI Corp
Ultra-Lightweight & High-Energy Density Lithium Battery Solutions for UAVs & Robotic Vehicles
Gold Partner
INF Inject
Advanced EFI Drone Propulsion Solutions for Commercial & Industrial UAV Platforms
Gold Partner
allocortech, inc.
Custom & COTS Hardware & Software Solutions for Next-Generation Vehicle Systems
Gold Partner
Hargrave Technologies
Drone Motor Controllers & NDAA-Compliant Drone ESCs for Brushless Electric Motor Control
Gold Partner
visionair
Power Management Systems, Power Distribution Units, Generator Control Units, Engine Starters & Battery Balancers/Monitors
Gold Partner
H3 Dynamics
Enablers of Long-Range Hydrogen Electric Flight | Hydrogen Solutions for UAVs; Lightweight PEM Fuel Cells & Mobile Hydrogen Refueling Stations
Gold Partner
Plettenberg
High Performance Electric Motors, ESCs, Generators & Starters for Unmanned Systems
Gold Partner
Embention
UAV Autopilot Flight Controllers, Ground Stations, ESC Controllers & Tracking Antennas
Gold Partner
HFE International LLC
EFI, Mil-Spec & Rotary UAV Engines / UAV Servos Actuators / Fuel System Parts
Gold Partner
ABRIS Design Group
Advanced UAV & Unmanned Systems for Challenging Missions in Government, Defence & Commercial Applications
Silver Partner
DC Inc
Data Acquisition & Combustion Testing Solutions for ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)-Powered & Hybrid UAVs
Silver Partner
TEI – TUSAŞ Engine Industries
UAV Engines & Component Manufacturing for Commercial & Military UAVs
Silver Partner
Eroot Electronics
Professional UAV Components & Sensors: Drone Flight Controllers, GNSS Modules, Telemetry Solutions
Silver Partner
E-magy
High-Energy Density Lithium Ion Batteries for Drones & Unmanned Systems | Nanoporous Silicon Anode Technology
Silver Partner
Aerora Technology
Innovative NDAA-Compliant Drone Hardware Solutions & Engineering Services
Silver Partner
Steatite
Ultra-Reliable Rugged Hardware Solutions for Mission-Critical UAVs & Unmanned Systems Operating in Extreme Environments
Silver Partner
Tulip Tech
Innovative High-Energy Density Battery Solutions for UAVs and Unmanned Systems
Silver Partner
ARK Electronics
Cutting-Edge Flight Controllers, Sensors, and Other Electronics Technologies for Drones & Robotics
Silver Partner
Wave Engine Corporation
Pulsejet Engines for UAVs: Flight-Proven Drone Propulsion Systems
Silver Partner
MAD Components
Power & Propulsion Solutions for UAVs: Drone Motors, ESCs, Batteries & Propellers
Silver Partner
Packet Digital
High-Performance Drone Batteries, Power Management Systems, Fleet Management Software, Solar MPPT Integration, Celular C2 & Payload Communications
Silver Partner
Moscat Ingenieria
Electronic Engine Control Units (ECU) & Management Systems for EFI Engines + Engineering Development Services
Silver Partner
Vanguard
Integrated Lithium-Ion Battery Packs + V-Twin EFI Engines for Drones, UAVs & Robots
Silver Partner
Mejzlik Propellers
Custom-Designed Carbon-Fiber Drone Propellers for OEM Manufacturers
Silver Partner
Acecore Technologies
Professional Drones, Quadcopters, Multirotors & Hexacopters for Cinematography, Survey & Inspection
Silver Partner
Dynautics Ltd
Marine Autopilots, Unmanned Surface Vehicle Communications, Power Management Modules & Marine Simulators & Software
Silver Partner
Aegis Power Systems Inc.
Rugged Power Supplies and Power Converters for Unmanned Systems & UAVs
Silver Partner
UAV Propulsion Tech
COTS & Custom Drone Propellers, Brushed & BLDC motors, and ESCs for UAVs
Silver Partner
Propulsion & Power Products
Drone Propulsion & Power Systems Overview
Propulsion Systems for Unmanned Vehicles, UAVs and Drones
Propulsion systems for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and other unmanned systems such as UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) and USVs (unmanned surface vehicles), typically rely on either a fuel source or an electric battery source. In the case of aerial and waterborne unmanned vehicles, this power source will turn one or more propellers or ducted fans that provide thrust for either forward movement or hovering. UGVs will be driven by traditional engines, electric systems, or a hybrid of the two.
UAV Electric Motors
Battery-powered electric propulsion systems use a motor to drive propellers, fans or wheels. Drone motors can be found in multirotor drones, fixed-wing UAVs that rely on forward flight, as well as unmanned surface, ground and underwater vehicles. Electric motors for UAVs and other unmanned vehicles may be brushed, which are simpler but noisier and more prone to wear, or brushless motors which are more efficient but often costlier.
CR Flight’s eVector Electric Propulsion Units (EPU)
Electric propulsion systems are essential for multirotor UAVs due to the more precise control and response time required to adjust the differential thrust control required for hovering. They are more suitable for smaller aircraft due to the relative bulkiness and extra weight of engines and liquid fuel, and are also more reliable.
In electric UAV propulsion systems, thrust vectoring enables directional control of thrust by mechanically adjusting the orientation of the motor or exhaust. Thrust vectoring improves maneuverability and stability in both multirotor and fixed-wing platforms, especially during vertical takeoff and landing or high-agility operations.
The disadvantage of electric propulsion systems is that batteries offer a lower energy-to-weight ratio than fuel, and so offer significantly shorter flight times. Batteries also take time to recharge, so preparing for subsequent missions will take longer than simply refilling a fuel tank, if multiple batteries are unavailable.
UAV Engines
SkyPower 2 cylinder gas UAV engine
UAV engines may be piston-driven internal combustion engines, rotary engines or gas turbine engines. UAV engines will often incorporate systems such as advanced fuel injection systems and engine management systems to provide greater efficiency.
Rotary UAV engines, including Wankel engine designs, utilise a rotor within a housing to undertake the combustion cycle. They produce less vibration than piston-driven engines and feature a favourable power-to-weight ratio, but may be less economical and require more maintenance. Gas turbine engines are more reliable and provide a greater power-to-weight ratio than piston and rotary engines, but are more expensive to develop and currently are only viable for larger UAVs.
Northwest UAV Hybrid Propulsion System
Hybrid UAV Engines
Hybrid gas-electric drones have been developed which utilise both a fuel combustion engine as well as batteries. The energy load is shared between the two systems, meaning that a smaller, more efficient engine can be used.
These hybrid systems offer a greater flight time compared to solely battery or fuel-powered drones of a similar size, thus enabling applications such as autonomous package delivery and enhanced surveillance and inspection missions.
Other Methods of Unmanned and Drone Propulsion:
Hydrogen fuel cells for drones and UAVs
Intelligent Energy’s fuel cell modules
Fuel cell propulsion technologies are also being developed for UAVs and UGVs. Fuel cells use hydrogen to generate an electric current which can be used to power a motor. Hydrogen has a higher energy density than current battery technology and produces only water as emissions. However the technology is currently very costly, and hydrogen can be difficult to store and transport.
