Northwest UAV has introduced that its latest heavy-fuel UAV engine, the NW-230, has achieved first flight operations with an undisclosed buyer. The flight was performed on a hybrid vertical take-off and touchdown (HVTOL) UAV.
These profitable flight operations elevate the NW-230 engine system to a Technical Readiness Stage (TRL) of seven for flying in an operational setting below end-user mission management.
Continued flight operations with the engine are on-going together with energetic flight demonstrations being executed for end-users with real-world missions.
The NW-230, an EAR 99 export accredited Heavy-Gasoline UAV Engine, is increasing the supply of the engine to a worldwide scale. The NW-230 is the following commercially out there EAR-99 accredited propulsion system in Northwest UAV’s household of engines which additionally contains the NW-44 and NW-88.
The NW-230 EFI HF engine is designed for 90-160 kg plane. It’s purpose-built to function on heavy-fuel (JP5/JP8/TS-1/Jet A). The NW-230 makes use of combat-proven elements derived from the NW-44 and NW-88 engine techniques in operation at TRL9 on a number of airframes worldwide. The NW-230 is a superb selection for firms in search of an Aviation Grade, turn-key, cost-effective resolution for his or her plane.
Preliminary operational functionality orders for NW-230 engine techniques are being issued with deliveries in Q1 of 2024 for a number of UAV platforms.