Rotron Aerospace (formerly Rotron Power) is a British aircraft engine manufacturer based in Semley, Wiltshire. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of Wankel engines for unmanned aerial vehicles, light aircraft and helicopters.[1]
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Gilo Cardozo |
| Headquarters | , United Kingdom |
| Products | Aircraft engines |
| Parent | Ondas Holdings |
| Website | rotronaero |
The company was founded as Rotron Power in 2008 by Gilo Cardozo, who designed the company's first Wankel engine to power a paramotor flight over Mount Everest on 14 May 2007.[2][3]
The company's RT300 is a Wankel single-rotor design that produces 31 to 50 hp (23 to 37 kW), while the twin-rotor RT600 produces 53 to 100 hp (40 to 75 kW).[1]
The name of the company was changed to Rotron Aerospace in September 2023.[4]
In March 2026 Ondas Holdings, an American technology company, completed the acquisition of Rotron to expand its capabilities in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).[5]
Rotron successfully tested its SkyLance one way effect system, a long-range strike UAV, in May 2026.[6][7]
Products
editSummary of aircraft engines built by Rotron Power:
SkyLance one way effect system
editThe Skylance is one of three long-range strike or cruise-missile prototypes being tested under the UK government's Project Brakestop with the aim of providing missiles to Ukraine by the end of 2026. All weapons are to be made without any US-sourced components.[8] The project requirements are for a missile that can be produced at a rate of 20 per month and a unit cost of about £400,000 excluding the warhead, which is expected to weigh 225kg. [9]
Skylance has a range of up to 1,200km, a cruise speed of 600km/h, and a payload of up to 300kg.[10]
References
edit- 1 2 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 260-261. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- ↑ Rotron Power (2018). "Company Overview". www.rotronuav.com. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ↑ Rotron Power (2018). "Mission Everest". www.rotronuav.com. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ↑ "Rotron Aerospace Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ Grimes, Preston (16 March 2026). "Ondas Completes Acquisition of Rotron Aerospace Ltd., Expanding Long-Range Propulsion Technologies for Advanced Unmanned Systems for Defense". Ondas inc. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ Cranny-Evans, Sam (13 May 2026). "Rotron Aerospace announces first test launch of SkyLance one-way effector". Calibre Defence. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ "Rotron Aerospace Celebrates Project Brakestop Milestone with SkyLance Long-Range Strike Capability". rotronaero.com. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ Brown, Larisa. "UK firms design cheaper alternatives to Storm Shadow missile". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ "UK unveils prototype missiles for Ukraine with no US components". www.ft.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ "SkyLance | High-Altitude, Long-Endurance UAS Platform". rotronaero.com. Retrieved 21 June 2026.