UAV Propulsion Tech

UAV Propulsion Tech markets leading UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) technologies from around the world into the United States, allowing domestic defense primes, drone OEMs and systems integrators to expand their options and benefit from the cutting-edge capabilities provided by the international market.

The company represents a variety of providers from countries including Germany, Austria, Estonia, the United Kingdom, India, USA, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Poland. These military-grade commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom solutions already empower a range of high-performance UAV platforms operating globally.

UAV Engines, Propulsion & Fuel Cells

Suter Industries

Compact 2-stroke gasoline & heavy fuel UAV engines

Suter Industries AG designs and produces advanced UAV propulsion systems in Turbenthal, Switzerland. The engines combine high power density with low fuel consumption and are designed for reliable operation across a range of fuels. Gasoline variants include TOA288, TOA330, TOW288, and TOA 660. Heavy-fuel solutions include the HF-TOA288-SDI and HF-TOA330-SDI semi-direct injection engines, compatible with aviation kerosene fuels such as Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8.

Suter Industries engines are in operation on multiple UAV platforms worldwide. The product range covers power outputs from 16.5 kW (22.5 hp) to 37.2 kW (49.9 hp), available in direct-drive and reduction-drive configurations, air- or water-cooled, and single- or multi-fuel variants. Suter also provides a 15kW APU solution (gasoline or heavy fuel) to provide electrical power for eVTOL applications.

More information: Suter Industries UAV engines

Mejzlik Propellers

Custom & COTS military-grade drone propellers

Mejzlik develops aerospace- and military-grade COTS and custom propeller solutions for UAVs, and can work closely with clients to ensure the perfect propeller design for any multirotor, fixed-wing or hybrid VTOL unmanned aircraft platform.

Manufactured from lightweight and tough carbon fiber, Mejzlik’s propellers are developed in-house via expert 3D modelling, simulation, production and thorough testing.

More information: Mejzlik drone propellers

H3 Dynamics

Hydrogen fuel cells for military & defense drone applications

H3 Dynamics is a developer of cutting-edge hydrogen power technologies, and the creator of the world’s highest power density fuel cell systems for small UAS.  The company’s lightweight and high-performance products have provided extended flight times and enabled BVLOS operations for mission-critical drones around the world.

H3 provides fuel cell stacks with outputs ranging from 10W to 2kW, as well as hydrogen propulsion nacelles, storage solutions, and refuelling stations.

More information: H3 Dynamics hydrogen fuel cells for drones

Reventec & Sentronics

Liquid level sensing & flow meter technology for military UAVs

UAV Propulsion Tech has represented UK-based Reventec Ltd since 2017, offering its capacitive liquid level sensors, Sentronics fuel flow sensors, and engine sensors for throttle, temperature, and speed measurement. The company is backed by a rapidly growing design team with extensive mechanical and electronic design expertise.

Reventec and Sentronics are primarily involved in the development of products for harsh environments, with particular experience in the design of sensors for military vehicles, unmanned aircraft, and specialist vehicles and equipment.

More information: Reventec liquid level sensing technology

AMT (Advanced Micro Turbines)

Miniature heavy fuel gas turbine engines

AMT is a Netherlands-based developer of compact gas turbine engines based on a unique axial flow design, delivering exceptional thrust-to-weight ratios with low fuel consumption and rapid acceleration times. The turbines run on Jet A1, kerosene or paraffin, and require no separate lubrication system. All turbines are extensively tested to ensure strict performance and safety standards.

AMT’s turbines have been used for high-speed target drone and experimental UAV applications. The current range includes 4 engines, with a fifth currently under development.

• Olympus HP – 230N/51.7Lbf thrust, 2.9kg/6.4lbs weight
• Titan – 392N/88Lbf thrust, 3.67kg/8.1lbs weight
• Nike – 784N/176.2 Lbf thrust, 8.77kg/19.3lbs weight
• Lynx – 1569N/352 Lbf thrust, 21.45kg/47.2lbs weight
• Orion (available early 2025) – 600N (135lbs) thrust

More information: AMT heavy fuel gas turbine engines

Plettenberg

Brushed & BLDC motors, ESCs, and starter/generator systems for UAVs

Plettenberg is the leading developer and manufacturer of rugged tailored electric propulsion systems for the uncrewed systems as well as aerospace & defense markets. It provides the best power-to-weight-to-robustness ratio and customizes its motors to ideally match the mission profile of its customers.

The company was originally founded in 1935, is headquartered in Baunatal, Germany and develops and manufactures 100% of its products in Germany. Its operations are EN 9100:2018 (equivalent to AS 9100) certified and its product portfolio is NDAA compliant.

Plettenberg’s product portfolio comprises the entire electric drive ecosystem. It includes ultra-rugged high-performance inrunner BLDC motors, lightweight outrunner BLDC motors, brushed DC motors, ESCs, starter & generator systems as well as mission critical accessories.

Learn More: Plettenberg electric propulsion solutions

UAV Servos, Flight Controllers & Autopilots

Volz

Custom & COTS mission-critical servo actuator solutions

Volz provides a wide range of COTS and custom actuator solutions for UAVs, OPVs (optionally piloted vehicles) and robotics, with a variety of options including brushless motors, contactless sensor, position feedback, clutch mechanisms and submersible capabilities.

Volz actuators have been selected for a number of leading UAV platforms including the Lockheed Martin Fury 1500, Northrop Grumman BAT and Schiebel Camcopter S-100.

More information: Volz actuator solutions

Aeron Systems

MEMS inertial sensors for drones and robotics

Aeron Systems provides a range of compact MEMS-based inertial sensors that are ideal for drones and robotic systems, with options including AHRS, INS, digital compasses and tactical-grade GPS-aided systems. Several of their products feature qualification to military and aerospace standards such as DO-254, DO-178B, MIL-STD-461E and MIL-STD-810G.

More information: Aeron Systems MEMS-based inertial sensors

Embention

Mission-critical DO-certified autopilots for UAVs

Autopilots are sophisticated systems that enable UAVs to navigate, control, and maintain stability autonomously, enhancing flight precision and ease of operation. Autopilot systems consist of flight controllers, sensors, GPS units, and more. UAV Propulsion Tech provides autopilot solutions from Embention (Spain). Embention, have been pioneers in autopilots and critical avionics systems for autonomous vehicles. The autopilots comply with DO178C, DO254 and DO160G standards for aircraft certification and are flying on several UAV’s around the world (fixed wing, multicopter, VTOL, helicopter, etc.).

Learn more: Embention UAV autopilots

MightyZAP

Compact smart linear actuators for precision UAV motion control

MightyZap linear actuators (manufactured by IR Robot) located in South Korea are specialized micro-linear servos designed for precision motion in small-scale applications. In the aerospace sector, they are primarily used in UAVs.

Key Technical Features

MightyZap actuators function as “smart” servos, integrating the motor, gearbox, and control electronics within a single compact housing:

• Precise Feedback: Absolute position sensors (potentiometers) provide 4096-step resolution, enabling sub-millimeter accuracy, typically around 30 to 50 μm.
• Communication Protocols: Most models support multiple interfaces, including PWM (standard RC signal), half-duplex TTL, and RS-485 (Modbus RTU), allowing multiple actuators to be daisy-chained on a single bus.
• Coreless Motors: The Premium lineup utilizes high-performance coreless DC motors, offering faster response and longer operational life compared to conventional cored motors.
• Compact Form Factor: With weights as low as 40 to 100 g, these actuators are significantly lighter than hydraulic or pneumatic alternatives, making them well suited to weight-sensitive UAV platforms.

More information: MightyZap micro-linear servos for UAV motion control

UAV Gimbals & Imaging Systems

Merio

Compact EO & IR imaging gimbals for UAVs

Merio is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced gyro-stabilized imaging gimbals for UAVs, with solutions ranging from low-SWaP payloads for mini-UAS up to full HD EO and cooled MWIR systems for large tactical surveillance drones.

Designed to excel in challenging environments, Merio’s gimbals can be customized to meet specific mission requirements, and provide powerful ISR capabilities for military and government UAV systems.

More information: Merio gyro-stabilized imaging gimbals for UAVs

UAV Launchers & Parachutes

ParaZero & PASA

Parachute recovery systems for fixed-wing, multicopter & VTOL UAVs

UAV Propulsion Tech provides parachute solutions from PASA – UAV Safety Solutions AG (Germany) and ballistic parachute solutions from ParaZero (Israel). Both companies’ parachutes provide a lightweight and compact solution and are currently being utilized by several UAV companies. These parachute solutions cover fixed-wing, multicopter, and transitional VTOL applications up to 200 kg MTOW.

Parachutes can be used in a UAV as a means of recovery (instead of a net or runway) or as a means of rescue in case of a system failure to save the air vehicle and payload assets.

More information: ParaZero & PASA parachute solutions for UAVs

Eli Airborne Solutions

Pneumatic UAV catapult launcher & parachute release systems

Eli Airborne Solutions has developed pneumatic catapult launchers for UAVs with MTOWs of up to 45 kg and 100 kg, providing launch speeds of up to 25m/s. The highly portable battery-powered systems can be stored and transported in two rugged cases, and can be customized for specific drone platforms.

The company also provides COTS and custom parachute release systems that immediately disconnect the canopy upon impact, ensuring that UAVs are not damaged by dragging.

More information: Eli Airborne Solutions – UAV catapult launcher & parachute release systems

UAV Transponders & Remote ID Solutions

Aerobits

Miniature transponders for ADS-B, Remote ID & DAA

Aerobits has developed a suite of miniaturized transponders that are designed to help accelerate the integration of drones into national airspaces and to provide enhanced UTM (unmanned traffic management) and DAA (detect and avoid) capabilities.

The company’s portfolio includes OEM and plug-and-play solutions for ADS-B, FLARM, Mode A/C/S, and Remote ID, as well as mobile and fixed ground stations for air traffic surveillance and airspace monitoring.

More information: Aerobits miniature transponders for ADS-B, Remote ID & DAA

UAV Sensors & Electronic Components

AvioRace

High-precision temperature, pressure & position sensors for defense applications

AvioRace is located in Vignola, Italy, and provides high-end sensors used in defense applications that require high precision and reliability. These include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, linear sensors, speed sensors, infrared sensors, and lambda sensors.

More information: AvioRace high-end precision sensors for UAVs