High Performance Drone Motors for Military Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Military drones, also known as UAVs (Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles), are used extensively by armed forces worldwide for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The propulsion system is literally the heart of the drone and has the highest number of variables which must be meticulously reviewed and specifically chosen for each mission. Due to the sensitive nature of military drone use, the highest standards of reliability and performance must be maintained by manufacturers of these high performance UAVs. This synopsis will examine the attributes of drone motors presently in use, specifications required by military service and examples of each.

Military UAV Size Specs

High performance drones used by the military range from pocket-sized (Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet PRS, at 6.6 inches long and weighing under 33 ounces) to almost gigantic (General Atomics RQ-4 Global Hawk, at 47.6 feet long with a wingspan of 130 feet and weighing 14,950 pounds). 

• Smaller UAVs utilize small motors powered by batteries. Their serviceability is dependent on attributes such as battery life, rate of recharging and ongoing maintenance cost and time.

• Larger UAVs require much more complex engines which develop a great deal of horsepower and have longer periods of time between routine maintenance. The primary specifications for these military assets include Autonomy, Range, Speed and Payload.

Autonomy

Extended Autonomy is vital for missions requiring prolonged surveillance, reconnaissance or persistent aerial coverage. Some UAV models can stay aloft for 27 or (significantly) more hours and and may exceed the range of control signal transmissions, which would require a computer-controlled propulsion system which can react to varying conditions such as weather and temperature. 

• Smaller UAV motors are sensitive to extreme operating temperatures and are required to be fitted with a blanket for cold weather operation. 

• Larger air-cooled propulsion units need to open or close cowl flaps to regulate operating temperatures. The larger drones use engines as large or even larger than a Cessna 6-place general aviation aircraft.

Range

Advanced military drones can cover impressive distances with some models reaching up to 2,000 Kilometers (Approx. 1,243 miles) and far beyond. This extended range is used for strategic operations (border patrol/surveillance ), long-range reconnaissance and deep strike missions. These long range missions are almost certain to involve wind currents, rain, fog, smoke and other debris as well as night operations. 

Additionally, longer range drones are used for weather monitoring and can stay aloft for days to track storms or forecast weather on the battlefield. The drone propulsion system has a direct impact on the time aloft and distance which can be flown from the control console. Factors such as fuel economy under varying conditions can have a significant impact on the up time for each drone. 

Speed

Speed is another critical specification for military drones which is directly related to propulsion of the aircraft, with some models capable of exceeding 210 kilometers per hour (Approximately 130 miles per hour) to quickly respond to threats, cover large areas or follow fast-moving targets. 

High speed capability is essential in combat zones or rapid response scenarios and is directly related to the fuel efficiency of the propulsion system. Since the motors produce a significant amount of heat, it is critical to know the maximum speed and distance that the motors can operate continuously while also accounting for advanced maneuverability. 

This functionality is critical to assure completion of the mission and retrieve the data collected as well as protect possible top secret onboard hardware from enemy acquisition.

Payload

Payload capacity, or the amount of weight a drone can carry in excess of its own weight is a crucial specification for drones used in a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance and combat. Some UAVs can carry in excess of 300 Kilograms (approximately 662 pounds) with payloads including advanced sensors, high-resolution cameras, communication equipment or even precision-guided munitions. 

Higher payloads generally mean higher fuel consumption and less time aloft, so the fuel burn rate must be accurately computed for the mission and monitored by the pilots as the flight progresses.

Military drone motors must be flexible and easy to maintain in battlefield conditions so they can be set up quickly and used for multiple types of missions.

Since midair collisions are possible with drones (birds, debris, wires, etc.), the motors must be robust enough to survive the various possible strikes and continue to function as well as be interchangeable for use in a variety of drone models. 

Additionally, UAVs must also be able to function with multiple fuel sources. For example, many European fighter jets burn JP-8 jet fuel (the military equivalent of Jet A-1 used by commercial aircraft, but can also run and function on diesel fuel used by farm Tractors.

High performance motors for military drones used for reconnaissance and surveillance are critical components to the success of each mission and should be chosen carefully by engineers and mission planners. They must be reliable in each and every scenario, having enough power to fulfill the mission and return home for the debriefing session. To discuss your specific military UAV motor requirements and explore how ePropelled's high-performance solutions can enhance your surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, contact our team today.