Plettenberg

Plettenberg is a leading developer and manufacturer of rugged electric propulsion systems for unmanned platforms. Its product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of electric motors, starter-generators, power electronics, and related accessories. The company operates an ultra-scale production line designed to deliver propulsion systems at high volume, alongside a dedicated low-volume, high-mix production line that supports the development and manufacture of highly customized solutions.

Key Benefits

• EN9100:2018 certified quality system
• MIL-STD 810H tested and qualified
• Ultra rugged design with +10,000h MTBF
• COTS/MOTS and fully custom products
• Leading power-weight-robustness ratio
• 100% Made in Germany
• DFARS/NDAA compliant options
• Super scalable production

Plettenberg Ecosystem

Plettenberg takes a holistic ecosystem approach, delivering integrated system solutions with carefully matched components. Its ecosystem extends beyond aerial unmanned vehicles to include unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), enabling seamless performance across a wide range of autonomous platforms.

UAV Motor Map

The Plettenberg motor map visualizes the company’s motor portfolio based on maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and propeller size. Its propulsion systems support VTOL UAVs with MTOWs ranging from 10–260 kg in X4 configurations and 17–440 kg in X8 configurations.

UAV Motor Portfolio

Plettenberg offers a comprehensive UAV motor portfolio, ranging from premium MIL-STD-certified inrunner motors to highly scalable, weight-optimized outrunner motors. The portfolio is designed to meet the demands of both mission-critical and commercial applications.

Electric Motors

NOVA Series

Rugged Inrunner BLDC Motors

The NOVA series features an exceptionally rugged sealed housing design qualified to MIL-STD 810H. Standard features include wear-free temperature and position sensors, a specially engineered shaft design for fail-safe coupling, and IP54 protection. The series is available in configurations delivering peak thrust from 12 kg to 115 kg and is suitable for UAVs with maximum take-off weights (MTOW) ranging from 30 kg to 260 kg in quad-rotor configurations.

The NOVA 15 LW is also available as an “iESC” version with the integrated Taurus OTiS electronic speed controller developed by Plettenberg’s U.S. partner, Allocortech. This single line-replaceable unit is designed for uncrewed missions operating in the harshest environmental conditions.

ADVANCE Series

Open-Design Inrunner BLDC Motors

The ADVANCE series features a weight-optimized open housing design that delivers best-in-class power-to-weight ratios. This makes the motors particularly well suited for professional drones and other applications with constraints on space, weight, and power availability. The series is available in configurations providing peak thrust from 10 kg to 21 kg and supports UAVs with maximum take-off weights (MTOW) ranging from 20 kg to 55 kg in quad-rotor configurations.

ORBIT Series

Outrunner BLDC Motors

The ORBIT SG series has been developed specifically for unmanned systems and aerospace applications. It features an ultra-lightweight housing design that has been ruggedized for operation in extreme environments and applications subject to high shock and vibration loads. Standard features include wear-free position and temperature sensors. The ORBIT SG series is available with rated output power ranging from 1 kW to 10 kW.

More Info: Plettenberg Electric Motors

Starter-Generators

ORBIT SG Series

Outrunner Starter-Generators

The ORBIT SG series has been developed specifically for unmanned systems and aerospace applications. It features an ultra-lightweight housing design that has been ruggedized for operation in extreme environments and applications subject to high shock and vibration loads. Standard features include wear-free position and temperature sensors. The ORBIT SG series is available with rated output power ranging from 1 kW to 10 kW.

More Info: Starter-Generator Systems

Accessories

Plettenberg offers a wide range of accessories, such as the best-selling Gold Connector Series for mission-critical applications.

Standard vs Custom Solutions

COTS Drive Solutions

Plettenberg’s commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) drive solutions are designed to cover a wide range of applications in demanding end markets. Its portfolio of more than 30 standard COTS motors includes rugged inrunner BLDC motors from the NOVA and ADVANCE series, as well as outrunner BLDC motors from the ORBIT series. Datasheets are available for all COTS motors. All COTS products can be shipped within 24 hours for smaller test volumes and within a few weeks for larger orders.

Download: COTS Product Brochure

Modified-Off-The-Shelf Motors

MOTS (“modified-off-the-shelf”) motors use the same mechanical components as COTS motors but feature customized windings. The winding determines the Kv (rpm/V) rating and enables adaptation of the motor to specific application requirements. Plettenberg offers MOTS motors with electrical design support from its engineering team, including engineering studies that cover datasheets and performance simulations.

Fully Custom Drive Solutions

When a MOTS solution is not sufficient and significant customization is required, a fully custom (FC) solution is the preferred option. FC drive solutions are typically highly application-specific and tailored to complex operational requirements.

Examples of customization options include:

• Custom housings and shafts
• IP67 protection ratings
• Special magnet wrapping for ultra-high RPM applications
• Redundant winding configurations
• Ultra-high and ultra-low temperature variants
• Frameless stator and rotor kits
• Single line-replaceable units with integrated ESCs

Plettenberg has more than 40 years of experience in motor design and manufacturing, supported by proprietary design and simulation tools and a large database of real dyno measurements. This enables highly accurate performance and thermal simulations for custom motor designs.

Most projects begin with a COTS or MOTS solution and transition to FC solutions as operational data is collected and requirements become more defined.

More Info: Custom Drive Solutions