Aircraft
Tip-jet UAV Unveiled by Unmanned Systems
Swiss company Unmanned Systems is showing a model of its Orca rotary-wing unmanned air vehicle for the first time at the Dubai Air Show.
Unmanned Systems' Orca UAV employs a revolutionary tip-jet propulsion method that not only improves performance in many key areas, but also overcomes many of the operational problems encountered with conventional propulsion methods.
Unmanned Systems' Orca UAV employs a revolutionary tip-jet propulsion method that not only improves performance in many key areas, but also overcomes many of the operational problems encountered with conventional propulsion methods.

Swiss company Unmanned Systems is showing a model of its Orca rotary-wing unmanned air vehicle for the first time here at Dubai. The Orca employs a revolutionary tip-jet propulsion method that not only improves performance in many key areas, but also overcomes many of the operational problems encountered with conventional propulsion methods.

Orca’s system employs a turbine engine rated at 215 hp that rotates with the rotor blade. The jet blows air at 700-deg C through flexible ducts to the hollow rotor blades, then blowing through angled tip nozzles to provide thrust. Reactive movement is eliminated so there is no requirement for a tail rotor, and there is no need for clutch, gearbox or transmission, significantly reducing weight.