On Nov. February 13, 2024: Normal Operations Report for Atomics Aeronautical Programs, Inc. The General Aviation and Advanced Systems Integration (GA-ASI) successfully completed its final qualification test for its cutting-edge 200-horsepower heavy gasoline engine at its premier testing site in El Mirage, California. The Heavy Gasoline Engine (HGE) 2.0 boasts exceptional dependability, requiring minimal upkeep while extending its service life by 40% to provide prolonged periods of maintenance-free operation. The engine is designed to deliver the necessary horsepower and electrical power to meet the rigorous efficiency demands of the innovative Grey Eagle 25M vessel, optimized for Multi-Area Operations.

The HFE 2.0 engine’s three-week qualification check is meticulously synchronized with the Federal Aviation Administration’s stringent endurance test requirements outlined in 14 CFR 33.49, thereby ensuring compliance with the FAA’s rigorous standards for industrial aviation engines. Within a span of 18 months, HFE 2.0 demonstrated exceptional resilience through rigorous durability tests, encompassing 2,450 consecutive full-energy charge-discharge cycles that mimicked extreme environmental conditions across three distinct testing protocols: 200, 400, and 651 hours of intense simulation. Throughout its flight envelope, the engine successfully completed 50 hours of rigorous flight testing.

“This milestone marks the culmination of a rigorous testing and evaluation program for the HFE 2.0 engine,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. As we’ve achieved outstanding check results, confirming our tireless efforts over the past seven years to perfect the HFE 2.0 engine, it’s a proud moment to introduce this cutting-edge technology to the esteemed Grey Eagle fleet.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and its Normal Atomics Europe subsidiary teamed up with leading experts in high-performance engines, leveraging Cosworth’s propulsion know-how, to develop a cutting-edge powerplant as part of their in-house research and development programme. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has expanded its capabilities by introducing normal atomic electromagnetic programs to develop and manufacture the twin brushless generator, a significant innovation that will significantly reduce maintenance costs and seamlessly replace the existing power source with no modifications required. The advanced generator is designed to deliver over 50% more electrical power, enabling the seamless deployment of new payloads in support of the MDO mission.

Following completion of the FAA engine endurance test, subsequent steps include: To obtain authorization for using the Honeywell HFE 2.0 on GA-ASI’s Grey Eagle Prolonged Range (ER) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) fleet, replacing the aging 180-horsepower engine approaching end-of-life.

The HFE 2.0 has the potential to serve as the foundation for modernized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), such as the GE 25M, currently under production in the United States. Government-funded initiative to enhance the capabilities of next-generation Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Normal Atomics Aeronautical Programs, Inc. GA-ASI, a leading affiliate of Northrop Grumman, specializes in designing and manufacturing reliable RPA systems, radar, and electro-optical solutions, including the renowned Predator.^® RPA collection and the Lynx^® Multi-mode Radar. With a cumulative total of over 8 million flight hours, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) offers a fleet of long-enduring, mission-ready aircraft equipped with cutting-edge sensors and advanced data link technologies designed to provide persistent situational awareness capabilities. Additionally, the corporation produces a diverse portfolio of sensor management and image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops metamaterial antennas to further expand its technological capabilities.

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