The German engine manufacturer is planning to expand its product range for service and maintenance in 2024. The first step is a tool case that is equipped with all the necessary tools and is offered in two versions. Different tool combinations are available for carburetor engines and for engines with fuel injection systems, which can be transported in a solid plastic hard-shell case.

“This provides our customers with all the tools they need for maintenance, inspection and servicing of their engines. Due to the solid casing design, the tools can be taken to any location. The case offers enough space for additional tools or consumables,” says Karsten Schudt, Managing Director of Sky Power International, introducing the product.

Further service products will follow in the coming months. “It is important to us that we offer Sky Power International customers additional products for our engines that enable them to use the engines efficiently and reliably. We are therefore in constant communication with our customers in order to meet their needs with the best products and services,” continues Schudt.

The product portfolio of Polish UAS manufacturer MADDOS includes two VTOL solutions. In addition to the MADDOS VTOL 350e, which flies purely electrically, the VTOL 600h is also offered, which has been equipped with a hybrid propulsion concept. In addition to the four rotors for vertical take-off and landing, the VTOL 600h also has a tail drive for horizontal flight. Here, the Polish company relies on two-stroke technology from Germany. The SP-210 TS ROS carburetor engine from Sky Power International was selected, with an integrated starter and a generator for power production. The SP-210 TS ROS is a 2-cylinder engine that develops 17.1 hp (12.6 KW at 6000 rpm) from a displacement of 210 cc. Due to the hybrid propulsion concept, the maximum flight time of the VTOL 600h is up to 10 hours. The flight system has a wingspan of 6m. Up to 25 kg can be carried, resulting in a take-off weight of 110 kg. The cruising speed is 115 km/h, and the maximum speed is 138 km/h.

The hybrid MADDOS UAV platforms are designed in a VTOL configuration. Various automatic or manual missions can be performed with the UAVs. Thanks to the design, the UAVs can take off and land almost anywhere, even in strong winds. The high payload and fuselage capacity allows the UAVs to carry state-of-the-art sensor technology on board. MADDOS UAVs can be used in both military and civil applications for surveillance, border control, search and rescue, or public safety.

MADDOS belongs to the AP FLYER company, which operates in various technical fields. The fact that AP FLYER has very sensitive measurement equipment in its offer led the company to implement and develop its activity in the field of detection, tracking, observation and neutralization systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (C-UAS system). Thus, the brand MADDOS was developed, under which they subsystems and components of various manufacturers of radar systems, RF systems, EOIR cameras as well as neutralization and elimination systems. Since 2020 the developed unmanned aerial systems also belong to the MADDOS brand.

Sky Power GmbH is the leading manufacturer of 2-stroke combustion and Wankel engines for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with an MTOW between 25 and 120kg. The propulsion portfolio consists of TRL9 fuel injection, carburetor, hybrid and heavy fuel engine systems. In addition to its own development and manufacturing, Sky Power manufactures all engines in Germany using the latest technology.

Cavok UAS is a premier professional drone manufacturer, located in France, with a wide range of electrical and internal combustion drones for security, logistics, industrial applications between 2 and 1360kg MTOW.

With the objective of producing European-made drones, Cavok UAS has selected Sky Power’s SP-110 FI TS propulsion system to equip the CK50 VTOL convertible UAV. Thanks to the SP-110 FI TS performance, the CK50 can fly over 10,5 hours, allowing full capacity of CK50 high efficiency design.

This partnership is crucial to be able to demonstrate European capacity in large UAV production. In the situation where supply chain is critical and production capacity could have to ramp up significantly due to pandemic or conflict situations, alliance between European producers is a key factor of success for institutional clients that require regional production for strategic equipment delivery, technical support and MRO.

It is not only the origin of components which is critical, the performance, reliability and interfaces must be in adequation with the platform so that the full capacities from the technology can be integrated for the benefit of the user. In this respect, availability of information from SP-110 FI TS engine parameters is crucial to assure flight safety as primary value for Cavok UAS thanks to the close technical collaboration between technical teams.

 

After the SP-210 FI TS ROS, the German engine specialist presents another engine from its portfolio with a significant increase in power. The SP-170 FI TS ROS is now available with a power increase of 1.7 kW (2.4 hp). “As with the SP-210 FI TS ROS, we can offer an upgrade to customers who are already using this engine”, explains Karsten Schudt, CEO of Sky Power GmbH. All SP-170 FI TS ROS, which were produced until beginning of May 2023, were equipped with 10 kW. The optimized SP-170 FI TS ROS delivers 11.7 kW. After a run in and with some additional system upgrades, even older SP-170 FI TS ROS engines will provide these performance data. System upgrades to the previous engine include technical adjustments and a different engine mapping. The engine weight remains the same.

Sky Power International offers one of their bestselling two-stroke engines, the SP-210 FI TS ROS, with more power. “From now on we offer the SP-210 FI TS ROS in run-in condition, with 14kW. But customers, who are using this engine already, can have the possibility to upgrade their engines too”, explains Karsten Schudt, CEO of Sky Power GmbH. All SP-210 FI TS ROS, which were produced until the beginning of May 2023, were equipped with 11kW. If a power upgrade of these propulsion units is necessary, Sky Power can offer this service. After a run-in and with some additional system upgrades, even older SP-210 FI TS ROS engines will perform 14kW. That is a power increase of 27%. System upgrades to the previous engine include technical adjustments and a different engine mapping. The engine weight remains the same.

Due to global crises, tenders for safety-relevant applications are increasingly specifying restrictive conditions regarding the origin of components and end products. Good for the company that does not have to worry much about these requirements due to its origin, such as Sky Power GmbH. “More and more frequently, we are asked before a project starts or during the tendering process where we have our drive units manufactured,” explains Karsten Schudt, Managing Director of Sky Power GmbH. In particular, the note that engines or power units manufactured in specific countries may not be used in projects is becoming increasingly common.

Schudt sees two main reasons for such specifications. On the one hand, users of electrical systems in particular want to prevent any assemblies from logging data and forwarding it to third parties without being detected. The other reason, which is more prominent for Schudt as an engine manufacturer, is the potential restriction on deliveries in the event of a crisis. “If a UAS manufacturer uses a drive unit from one manufacturer, he cannot simply switch to another, because the entire flight system is geared to the drive unit. If the engine manufacturer now has delivery problems or is no longer allowed to deliver due to a political crisis and any resulting sanctions, the problems become existentially threatening for the UAS manufacturer,” Schudt discusses.

These dependencies have become apparent, especially in recent years, with other products, such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors or others. “Many of our customers have learned from this, as they have also been urged by their end users to exhibit flexibility. Especially when it comes to safety-relevant applications, possible dependencies are increasingly scrutinized,” Schudt continues. But Schudt can be relatively relaxed about the origin requirements. “The development of our drive units, the entire project planning, the testing of the ultimately selected motor and the entire series production take place at our site in Germany near Frankfurt am Main. I can guarantee propulsion units for UAS are Made in Germany,” says Schudt. This means that Sky Power is independent of delivery problems and sanctions due to global crises, which is increasingly reflected in the demand for their propulsion systems.

Sky Power International will be showcasing at Xponential 2023, booth 3213, May 8-11 in Denver.

Sky Power International and UAS manufacturer UAS Global Services are exhibiting together at Xponential 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Texas-based company is using engines from the German two-stroke and Wankelengine specialist. “We are pleased to welcome one of our U.S. customers and its flight systems to our booth as a reference,” said Karsten Schudt, managing director of Sky Power GmbH. All of Sky Power’s propulsion units are manufactured in Germany. The company develops, tests and manufactures all units at its German headquarters near Frankfurt.

UAS Global Service will present the two helicopters Anzen EG-1250 and Sicura EG-1100. The Anzen EG-1250 is a flight system of the heavy lift cargo and multidrop platforms group 3, with a maximum take-off weight of 250 lbs. Thanks to its long flight duration and high flexibility, a wide range of tasks can be performed. The name abbreviation “EG” in Anzen EG-1250 stands for an electric and kerosene twin engine configuration. The main engine is Sky Power’s powerful and fuel-efficient SP-180 SRE Wankel engine, integrated into a helicopter for the first time.

After more than 5 years of development, the Anzen EG-1250’s highly versatile design allows for a variety of engine, payload and operational options. “Looking back, we found Sky Power to be the important partner in equipping this concept with the right propulsion unit. From the initial inquiry, through consultation, project planning and initial engine delivery, as well as during the integration of the propulsion system, we were very well supported by Sky Power International,” said Curtis Youngblood, managing director of UAS Global Service. The flexibility of the Anzen EG-1250 allows it to support a variety of industries, including marine, agriculture, oil and gas, utilities, cargo transport and ISR.

The second flight system presented is the Sicura EG-1100, which is a single-rotor helicopter based on decades of experience in UAV helicopter development. The Sicura EG-1100 is the third generation of an internally developed platform that has become the workhorse of the UAS Global Services fleet and is now available to other customers. The helicopter is available with both electric and kerosene engines. The company relies on Sky Power’s powerful and efficient SP-110 TS ROS twin-cylinder engine. The result is a helicopter that flies exceptionally stable in challenging environmental conditions, which is an important necessary characteristic, especially for image acquisition and LiDAR operations. “Thanks to the large, vibration-isolated payload carriers, the customer can carry a variety of payloads in one flight,” Youngblood continues.

Sky Power International and UAS Global Services will be showcasing at Xponential 2023, booth 3213, May 8-11 in Denver.

Sky Power International has gained an exclusive distribution partner for the Indian market, Zerosum Technologies Pvt Ltd. The new distributor offers products and systems for the development and operation of UAVs and works with numerous drone manufacturers in the national market.

“India is one of the most important Asian markets for us. We are therefore pleased to have gained a partner in Zerosum Technologies, whose contacts we have already worked with successfully on previous projects,” says Karsten Schudt, Managing Director of Sky Power. Zerosum Technologies will take over the entire product portfolio of Sky Power International, which includes the two-stroke and Wankel engines, the compact single-cylinder SP-28 CR engine up to the powerful two-cylinder SP-275 TS engine. All engines are offered in different versions, such as carburator and FI, with and without generator, etc. In addition to the engines, Zerosum Technologies will also offer all ancillary items such as propellers, filters and engine control units. The Indian distributor will also be the local service and maintenance partner for all Sky Power International engines and, in addition to test services, will also assist in integrating the engines into UAVs. To this end, the company employs industry veterans with extensive technical backgrounds.

Zerosum Technologies Pvt Ltd, a registered mid-sized company, provides subsystems for the emerging Indian UAV industry. India aims to be at the forefront of UAV technology in all sectors. A goal that can only be achieved with the best and most technologically advanced subsystems. The partnership with Sky Power International is expected to make India the local center for testing and overhauling propulsion systems that meet the requirements of the next generation of engines. “Sky Power International represents the best-in-class technology in the UAV space. We are excited to be partnering with them. This perfectly dovetails in our Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat to make the country self-reliant in critical technologies. We plan to co-develop next generation engines for India and the World” says Vikram Bansal, CEO of Zerosum Technologies.

In addition to the 180 ccm SP-180 SRE Wankel engine previously offered, German UAS engine manufacturer Sky Power International now offers two more powerful multi-rotor Wankel engines, the SP-360 DRE and the SP-540 TRE.

“Both the SP-360 DRE and the SP-540 TRE are based on the established concept like the SP-180 SRE,” explains Karsten Schudt, managing director of Sky Power International. The two engines have displacements of 360 ccm and 540 ccm, respectively. Doubling and tripling the displacement also increases the power output of the engines. The SP-360 TRE is a twin-disc Wankel engine with up to 51 hp at 6000 rpm. The SP-540 TRE, on the other hand, is a three-disc Wankel engine. This one produces 74 hp at 6000 rpm as well. The weight, without additional modules, is 15.5 and 21 kg respectively.

As with the SP-180 SRE, the two new Wankel engines are equipped with two independent cooling systems. This is a basic requirement for a propulsion system in aerospace applications, where continuous performance is a prerequisite. Thermal stability is essential, which can be ensured by the cooling concept.

Both the SP-360 DRE and the SP-540 TRE, like the smaller SP-180 SRE, can be used with a combination of electric and mechanical drive. In the case of electric power only, an on-board battery is required as the Wankel engine generates power by means of the generator system. This electrical power can also be used as the primary drive. But a hybrid boost mode can also be used, in which the mechanical and electric drive can be combined for maximum power. Thanks to this integrated hybrid technology, a redundancy function is available to enable a controlled emergency landing in the event of a critical scenario.

Sky Power International’s Wankel engines are exceptionally lightweight as a propulsion system and require a smaller installation space than comparable two-stroke engines. Minimal radial or torsional vibration makes this engine particularly attractive when high-power optics or sensors are used in UAVs. The ability to mount these motors vertically at 90 degrees increases flexibility and is suitable for helicopter applications. “We are pleased that we can now meet high power requirements with the extended Wankel motor family,” Schudt continues.

Customers of Sky Power International have been able to purchase the two-stroke mixture of the Swedish fuel supplier Aspen via the online store of the German engine manufacturer for years. Now, for the U.S. market, Sky Power International and Aspen USA have decided to work even more closely together. 

“Aspen’s two-stroke blends are of course essential for our two-stroke engines. We use Aspen’s products ourselves on our test stand and can therefore only recommend these two-stroke mixtures based on our experience,” explains Karsten Schudt, managing owner of Sky Power International. Aspen offers the pre-mixed fuel Aspen 2 for two-stroke engines, that is suitable for engines requiring a mixing ratio of 50:1 or 40:1. In the USA, Schudt will work more closely with Aspen to also be able to offer the Swedish high-performance fuel to his customers. Due to Sky Power International’s good network in the US UAV market, there are good synergy effects for both partners.

Aspen has been supplying high-performance fuels for a wide range of applications around the world for more than 30 years. These are alkylate fuels that are particularly pure and therefore burn very cleanly. This is ideal for small engines with a high-power bandwidth. Unlike other gasolines, Aspen removes the harmful components found in other fuels while delivering the high-octane rating required for small engines. This allows higher engine performance to be achieved.

All Aspen fuels are free of ethanol, which contributes to corrosion, and are very stable in storage. Unopened, Aspen 2 two-stroke mixture lasts more than 5 years. In the tank, the fuel is still serviceable after several years, so UAVs can be safely stored without having to empty the tanks.

 

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