News

New Penguin B Accessories

Based on customer feedback, UAV Factory developed new Penguin B accessories which simplify the operation and setup of the Penguin B unmanned system. The center of gravity balancing rig simplifies the aircraft balancing procedure considerably. Balancer has integrated digital hook scales to weigh the aircraft before the takeoff.
The customized engine starter offers safe and reliable staring of the pusher engine. Starter has an integrated Lithium Ion battery cartridge and can be disassembled in seconds.

Super Silent UAV Muffler

After 7 months of the extensive development and testing, UAV Factory is glad to release the details of the low-noise muffler for the small unmanned aircraft vehicles. The Silent muffler has a non-detectability range of less than 700 meters in cruise conditions, offers up to 18% higher power output than COTS mufflers and considerably improves engine fuel consumption. The design is based on numerous simulations using advanced finite element analysis tools for internal gas flow and acoustics.
The Silent muffler is available with Currawong Engineering EFI system as an option for the Penguin B unmanned aircraft. For more information please visit the product page

GR-01 gimbal retraction mechanism

UAV Factory started deliveries of GR-01 gimbal retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism can withstand over 20 g acceleration, while weighting under 450 grams.  GR-01 can be quickly integrated with any autopilot system. For more information please visit the product page

Shephard Unmanned Vehicles, February Edition

Penguin's 54.5 hour flight story was featured in Shephard's February Unmanned Vehicles edition. The article 'Staying up for longer' by Beth Stevenson discusses current and future long endurance technology. Full article is available here

Shephard Unmanned Vehicles, January Edition

The latest issue of Shephard's Unmanned Vehicles gives an insight on UAV Factory's composite manufacturing and mold manufacturing technology. UAV Factory utilizes a wide variety of composite manufacturing methods - from vacuum bagging, to matched metal compression molding to bladder pressure molding. UAV Factory has broad experience in precise mold design, mold machining, latex bladder manufacture and custom reusable silicone vacuum bag manufacture. Please visit this link for a full article.

Sagetech, ING Robotic Aviation Demonstrate “Sense and Avoid”

The Serenity UAV (based on UAV Factory's Penguin B) operated by ING Robotic Aviation of Ottawa, flew above the Casselman Aerodrome along with of a manned Harvard Mark IV, a fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft operated by Canada’s National Research Council. Each aircraft was equipped with a Sagetech XP transponder. During the flight test, both the manned and the unmanned aircraft broadcast their ADS-B positions using Sagetech XP transponders. “This test shows that technically, we have a transponder-based solution to support beyond-line-of-sight flight in controlled airspace,” noted Glenn. “Now that we’ve overcome the technical challenge, it allows us to address the regulatory environment to support these kinds of operations.” For a complete article please visit this link

Northwestern Michigan College Receives COA for Penguin B Operations

The Northwestern Michigan College received their COA last fall for the Penguin B and has already conducted many successful flights. The Penguin has been integrated with a Cloud Cap Piccolo autopilot system and it has been flying spot on from the beginning. In fact, it was flying so well that a fully autonomous landing was conducted on the very first flight.
Original article as well as autonomous landing video is available through this link

AUVSI Unmanned Systems: Mission Critical

Penguin B is featured in the current issue of AUVSI's Mission Critical publication. This issue is available through this link

Penguin B platform upgrade program

UAV Factory started a research and development program for an upgraded Penguin platform. Program is supported by a European Regional Development Fund.