AAI Corporation has successfully demonstrated its Aerosonde Mark 4.7 small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) with a heavy fuel engine (HFE) at Fort Pickett in Virginia. AAI is a unit of Textron Systems.
According to Stephen Flach, Division Vice President, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems at AAI, "Our integration of a heavy fuel propulsion system onto the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS promises users increased performance, mission flexibility and convenience."
Based on information provided by the company, a heavy fuel propulsion system is critical for military forces for safety reasons and offers a logistical incentive as well. Kerosene-based fuels are less flammable than gasoline in shipboard environments, and by standardizing on a single type of heavy fuel for multiple assets (air and land based missions), the forces can achieve operational and cost savings.
The Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS is described as a high-endurance platform designed for fast, easy launch and recovery from shipboard or small clearings
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