Orbital secures another drone contract

Orbital Corporation has been awarded a further contract to supply high-tech engines for pilotless US Navy drone aircrafts.

The Balcatta-based technology developer today said it will supply heavy fuel engines for use in Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS), with the latest order to take total revenue for the entire contract to more than $10 million for the 2013 financial year.

“The small unmanned aerial systems market is an emerging market for Orbital and we are extremely pleased to receive this latest order for SUAS engines,” Orbotal managing director Terry Stinson said.

Orbital was first awarded the contract in May last year, supplying the engines to AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which is an operating unit of Textron Systems. The contract was valued at $4.7 million at the time.

Shares in Orbital were unchanged at 24c at 1108 AWST.