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Orbital Corporation has agreed a deal with global defence technology company Anduril Industries to deliver new engines for its drones.
The deal will initially see the ASX-listed company create a costed scope of work. If approved, Orbital will then be tasked with completing the development in the second half of FY23.
A decision would be informed by a joint evaluation of the potential production responsibilities and volume requirements of the engine.
This comes four months after the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) designed to develop concepts, products and technical solutions for uncrewed platforms.
This followed Anduril’s review of Orbital UAV’s operations and heavy fuel engine capabilities in Western Australia.
Orbital UAV’s team then visited Anduril’s headquarters in California, USA, reviewing the US-based company’s project pipeline.
“Having successfully demonstrated Orbital UAV’s superior heavy fuel engine capability to the Anduril team, this contract is a continuation of the collaborative approach the companies have adopted working on concepts, products and technical solutions in the evolving uncrewed domain,” Todd Alder, CEO and managing director of Orbital UAV, said.
“As we continue to build our relationship with the Anduril teams in the USA and their Asia-Pacific subsidiary, Orbital UAV has an opportunity to participate in and influence programs that will be at the forefront of future global UAS operations.”
David Goodrich, executive chairman and CEO, Anduril Australia and Asia-Pacific, welcomed the opportunity to further the company’s relationship with Orbital UAV.
“Anduril is committed to delivering cutting-edge technology at speed. The Orbital UAV team has been responsive to our current requirements, to support the progress of our latest UAS program,” he said.
“We look forward to collaborating with Orbital UAV on this initial engine investigation work, which if successful, may lead to further opportunities to work together in the future.”
