Novel Hybrid Electric Propulsion System to Enable Ultra-Long Range UAV Operations

Hybrid electric propulsion systems (HEPS) offer a platform the ability to run on either liquid fuels or battery power. Liquid fuels have significantly higher energy densities compared to battery packs and enable a platform to operate for sustained periods under high loads. Battery power offers a platform a second source of power that can be utilized more efficiently under reduced operating loads. In addition, battery power enables a platform to operating silently, with a reduced thermal signature, and utilize its electronic systems when the engine is turned off. For platforms like small-fixed wing UAVs, utilizing a HEPS has the potential to enable significantly improved ranges, facilitate new use cases and tactics, and improve operational flexibility. In addition, utilizing a HEPS would enable a UAV to electronically configure itself to operate more efficiently throughout the different flight regimes of a mission profile. Currently, there are no commercially available HEPS for small group 1 fixed wing UAVs. The vast majority of the available propulsion systems are either all-gas or all-electric and are made primarily for RC planes / hobbyists. In addition, the components of the propulsion systems are designed as separate systems which makes the overall propulsion system bulky and heavy among several other disadvantages. To enable small fixed wing UAVs to have improved operational flexibility, fly significantly further, and facilitate new UAV tactic, during this D2P2 effort, MPT plans to build and demonstrate a novel HEPS.