Rotron, a Gilo Industries Group company, announced here at the Farnborough Airshow the launch of what the company calls the first series of commercial off the shelf (COTS) heavy-fuel engines in the 20-60 hp category.

Aimed at the military UAV market, the development was driven by NATO’s 1997 announcement of a single-fuel policy, said Jim Edmondson, CEO of Dorset, UK-based Rotron. The NATO recommendation calls for just one type of fuel to be used across all motorized military assets, from chain saws to UAVs. Rotron claims to be the only manufacturer able to produce a heavy fuel variant within its engine category.

Using a rotary-type engine (possible because Wankel patents on rotary engine technology have expired), the company has designed patented technology that provides a high power-to-weight ratio, low fuel consumption and reliable starting under the most extreme operating conditions.

Rotron (Hall 4 Stand C20) also announced at the airshow a new partnership with CybAero, having been selected by the Swedish company to supply heavy-fuel systems for CybAero’s Apid Helicopter, an autonomous unmanned helicopter capable of carrying a payload of up to 110 lbs (50kg).