Insitu is at the show celebrating a program milestone as its heavy fuel engine (HFE) reaches more than 2,500 combat flight hours and more than 300 shipboard sorties.
The ScanEagle UAS successfully implemented the engine aboard US Navy ships, flying more than 11h daily. ScanEagle is deployed aboard a USN destroyer and completed deployment aboard the Mahan and Milius.
"Since we met the challenge and developed an HFE-capable UAS for the navy, the ScanEagle was able to provide critical intelligence aboard a US Navy vessel which assisted in rescuing the captain of a freight ship who was taken hostage by pirates last April," says Insitu chief technology officer Charlie Guthrie.
Used as a safer alternative to auto gas, heavy fuel refers to the kerosene-based diesel fuel (JP5) commonly used in jet aircraft engines. This technology, which enhances overall engine performance, was a critical requirement of the navy when deciding to place the UAS on DDG-class ships.
Source: Flight Daily News
