UAV Turbines

UAV Turbines, also written UAVT, builds micro-turbine engine systems for drones. The site says the company has focused only on commercial and military products powered by micro-turbine engines. Its products include propulsion systems and portable generators.

The turbine systems are sized for drones from 300 to 2,500 pounds take-off weight. They can be used in horizontal or vertical flight designs. The site says the systems can act as the main engine in a turboprop design, or as a range extender for battery drones. A demonstration used a Monarch 5 engine to power a 480-pound TigerShark drone.

The site describes a gearbox that works with variable pitch propellers for better climb rates and dash speeds. It says a heat exchanger gives fuel efficiency close to that of internal combustion engines. The site says flight tests showed clear gains over reciprocating engines.

The company's 25 kW generator sets are described as 75 percent lighter and 50 percent smaller than comparable diesel units. The site names a generator line called APEX, for Advanced Portable Expeditionary. It said APEX prototypes would be field tested in late 2025. The site lists military operations, first responders and disaster relief as target users.

The site says the company has more than 15 years of development and over $50 million in research and development investment. It says its senior engineers have worked at NASA, Rolls Royce, Pratt and Whitney, Sikorsky and GE Aviation. The site cites an industry study that projects microturbine demand for aerospace will exceed $4.6 billion by 2030.

The site says turbine engines offer better reliability, durability and fuel flexibility than diesel engines. It says they also make less operating noise and have a lower total cost of ownership. The site has a contact page for inquiries. The company's address and phone number are not listed on the home page.