What Currawong Engineering does

Currawong Engineering is a privately held Australian designer and manufacturer of powertrain systems and power electronics for unmanned aerial vehicles. Founded in 2005 in Tasmania by Gavin Brett (previously Operations Manager on the 1998 Aerosonde Atlantic crossing), the company operates from a Huntingfield, Tasmania facility with 17 employees and a 20-year operating history. Its product portfolio centres on three engine systems — the Corvid-29 (29cc 2-stroke EFI), Corvid-50 (50cc 2-stroke EFI based on the Desert Aircraft DA50) and Cortex Heavy Fuel Hybrid System — alongside the Velocity ESC family, CAN-bus servos with integrated vibration sensing, the Cortex Hybrid Power System, and supporting accessories (ECU, fuel pumps, injectors, ignition, power supply, sensors, and CAN adapters).

The company monetises primarily through hardware sales of these turnkey engine and power-electronics systems, complemented by professional services revenue from precision CNC/OEM manufacturing, engine testing, ESC and motor optimisation, and engineering consulting. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales to defence primes and tier-1 heavy-lift UAV manufacturers, with US distribution handled through Power4Flight and additional channel partners (HFE International, Cobra Aero) covering international markets. Named customers include AeroVironment (JUMP-20 ESC supply), PteroDynamics (Transwing), Honeywell (historical T-Hawk EFI), Latitude Engineering (HQ-60 hybrid quadrotor endurance record), Raytheon Sensintel, Fuji-Imvac, Sky Eye Systems, Threod Systems, AVT Australia and Silvertone Electronics. Operating geographies span Australia, the United States, Italy, Japan, Estonia and Spain.

Currawong has been bootstrap-financed through operations and four disclosed Australian government grants (totalling approximately AUD 365K across 2007, 2013, 2017 Defence Innovation Hub, and 2020 CDIC), with no external institutional or venture investment. Key partnerships include Embention (Veronte autopilot integration, 2021), VP Racing Fuels (co-developed UMAN-VP4F heavy fuel, 2022), Sypaq Systems (Defence Innovation Hub portable generator, 2017) and Desert Aircraft (Corvid-50 base engine). The company's products are positioned as non-ITAR, Australian-made, FAR33 endurance-tested alternatives for military and commercial UAV integrators, with a proprietary cEQUIP software tool supplied free to customers to lower integration friction.

Name

Currawong Engineering

Legal name

Currawong Engineering Pty Ltd ATF Currawong Investment Trust

Website

https://currawongeng.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Currawong Engineering designs and manufactures UAV engine systems (Corvid-29, Corvid-50, Cortex Hybrid) and power electronics (Velocity ESCs, CAN servos) for defence primes and commercial UAV manufacturers globally, operating from Tasmania, Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UAV Propulsion Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Power Systems & Propulsion (Motors, ESCs, Batteries, Fuel Cells) (IMABAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Engine Control, Fuel & Ignition Systems (FADEC/Accessories) (IMABADAK), VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC), Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)

Keywords

• UAV propulsion systems
• Electronic speed controllers
• Electronic fuel injection
• Drone power electronics
• Aerospace engine manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Blackmans Bay

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. UAV Engine Systems: Sale of complete engine systems including Corvid-29, Corvid-50, and Cortex Hybrid engines with full turnkey systems including generators, power supplies, isolation mounts, exhausts, and harnesses.
2. Power Electronics (ESCs and Servos): Sale of Velocity ESC range and CAN servos for UAV motor control applications.
3. Engineering Consulting Services: Professional engineering services covering mechanical, electronic, mechatronic and production engineering disciplines.
4. OEM Manufacturing: Precision CNC machining and manufacturing services for external customers across aerospace, robotics, electronics, and other industries.
5. Engine Testing Services: Engine development and integration support including testing in environmental chambers and dynamometer facilities.
6. ESC & Motor Optimization Services: Evaluation tests to determine optimum running configuration for Velocity ESCs given specific motor and propeller setups.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Currawong Engineering designs and manufactures UAV engine systems (Corvid-29, Corvid-50, Cortex Hybrid), electronic speed controllers (Velocity ESC family), CAN-based servos, and supporting power electronics for military and commercial unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers. The company also offers precision CNC machining, OEM manufacturing, engine testing, and engineering consulting services to defence primes and commercial UAV manufacturers worldwide.

Product overview

Currawong Engineering is a world leader in UAV engine powertrain systems and power electronics for military and commercial unmanned aerial vehicles. The product portfolio centers on three core engine systems (Corvid-29, Corvid-50, and Cortex-50 Hybrid), complemented by a comprehensive range of power electronics including the Velocity ESC family (XS, HS, HT, HC models), CAN Servos (CBS-15, CBS-20), and the Cortex Hybrid Power System (CHPS). These components integrate via CAN bus architecture and are supported by essential accessories including Engine Control Unit (ECU), fuel pumps (single piston and Triplex), fuel injectors, ignition systems, power supplies, temperature sensors, and communication adapters (TouCAN, CAN2PWM). The ecosystem is tied together through proprietary cEQUIP software for configuration and telemetry. The company offers engineering services including CNC machining, OEM manufacturing, engine testing, ESC/motor optimization, and engineering consulting, serving defense primes and commercial UAV manufacturers worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corvid-29 Engine System A 29cc single-cylinder 2-stroke UAV engine with high power density and electronic fuel injection. Excellent reliability, minimal maintenance, and passes 150-hour endurance tests per US Federal Aviation Regulation Part 33 (FAR33). Recommended for aircraft with maximum take-off weight up to 25kg.
• Corvid-50 Engine System A 50cc 2-stroke single-cylinder engine based on Desert Aircraft DA-50 with custom crankcase, crankshaft, throttle body, starter generator, inlet manifold, and integrated isolation mount. Features robust EFI system and optional low noise exhaust. Passed FAR33 endurance test assessment. Recommended for aircraft with maximum take-off weight up to 40kg.
• Cortex-50 Hybrid Engine A seamlessly integrated single-cylinder 2-stroke EFI hybrid system designed to maximize superior specific energy of traditional fuel to power electrically driven motors. Based on Corvid-50 with hybrid power capability acting as battery replacement while providing electrical power to motors. Supports petrol and UMAN-VP4F heavy fuel variants.
• Velocity ESC Aerospace-grade electronic speed controllers with peak output power in excess of 20kW supporting heavy-lift multi-rotor applications. Available in multiple models (XS, HS, HT, HC) with high voltage operation up to 75V/18S. Features ceramic capacitors, low impedance MOSFETs, heavy copper PCBs, and advanced thermal management. Manufactured in Australia without ITAR restrictions.
• CAN Servo (CBS Series) CAN-based servos with integrated current, temperature, and vibration sensing for UAV applications. Available in CBS-15 and CBS-20 models with high-resolution position control, real-time feedback, and accelerometer-based vibration sensing. Integrates with DroneCAN, Piccolo, Ardupilot, and Veronte autopilots.
• Cortex Hybrid Power System (CHPS) Power Management Unit providing up to 750W of electrical power for small UAVs. Features hybrid power architecture delivering power from generator, battery, or both simultaneously. Includes integrated engine restarting and overdrive capability. Supports 24V-60V operation with quad plane compatibility.
• Engine Control Unit (ECU) Compact and reliable engine control unit with EMI shielded aluminum body. Based on proven automotive ECU core with over 10,000 units in field. Provides complete control of fuel injected engines including fuel pump control, ignition, throttle control, and sensor integration. Features CAN and RS232 interfaces.
• Fuel Pump Lightweight, low-power, high-pressure fuel pumps designed for UAV applications. Single piston design with self-priming capability, configurable pressure and flow rates. Rated for 700 hours with endurance testing exceeding 1,000 hours.
• Triplex Pump High-pressure, regulated fuel delivery pump with phased three-piston design for heavy fuel and gasoline EFI engines. Provides precise regulation across wide pressure range with integrated pressure regulation and flow-metering. Self-priming with CAN and RS232 interfaces.
• Fuel Injector (CE1494) Custom fuel injectors for small fuel injected engines with high reliability and highly atomized fuel delivery for improved engine efficiency. Features integrated injector cap with configurable flow rate.
• Capacitive Discharge Ignition (CDI) Custom CDI unit driven by ECU providing 30kV pulse to spark plug. Instant fire unit with square wave pulse input.
• Power Supply (CE1000) 250W power supply for UAV engines with optional remote starter feature for ground and in-flight engine starting. Provides 12-21VDC payload output and 5-12VDC servo output. Generator mounted alongside engine for higher power density.
• Temperature Sensors Manifold Air Temperature (MAT) sensor and Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) sensor for small UAV engines. MAT sensor uses KTY83 silicon PTC element with -55°C to +175°C range. CHT sensor uses KTY84 element with -40°C to +300°C range.
• cEQUIP Software Engineering and diagnostic tool linking all Currawong systems for configuration and real-time graphing and logging. Parses and displays all telemetry on CAN bus with customizable graphing interface. Connects to all Currawong CAN products plus RS232 and Ethernet devices. Free to customers.
• ESC & Motor Optimisation Service Evaluation tests to determine optimum running configuration for Velocity ESC with specific motor and propeller setups. Includes starting tests, static power tests, dynamics evaluation, and temperature testing.
• Engineering Consulting Professional engineering services covering mechanical, electronic, mechatronic and production engineering disciplines. Includes technical surveys, equipment development, and alternative fuels investigation.
• Engine Testing Services Engine development and integration support for EFI systems up to 250cc capacity. Facilities include enclosed test cell, environmental temperature testing chamber, integrated dynamometer, and acoustic enclosure.
• CNC Machining Precision CAD/CAM based CNC machining capability with capacity for prototype through full production runs. Includes five-axis milling, turning, and grinding of metals and plastics with aerospace industry quality standards.
• OEM Manufacturing Original equipment manufacturing services for complex electro-mechanical devices. Design, manufacture and support with experience across robotics, electronics, aquaculture, sporting equipment, and aerospace industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-30% fuel consumption reduction when converting carbureted engines to EFI
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VP Racing Fuels Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2022Joint development of UMAN-VP4F heavy fuel specifically for UAV industry, based on Isopar but treated to racing fuel standards. Enables safe heavy fuel operation in Currawong's Cortex Hybrid and Corvid-50 engines.
• EmbentioncoreTechnology or Integration · 29 March 2021Integration partnership for seamless compatibility between Embention's Veronte autopilots and Currawong's engines, servos and ESCs. Enables Currawong products to be adopted without extra integration effort by Veronte customers.
• Sypaq SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2017Partnership to deliver Defence Innovation Hub project - Phase 1 concept exploration of portable generator based on Currawong's EFI engine and hybrid power electronics. Sypaq Systems is Melbourne-based.
• AeroVironmentcoreTechnology or IntegrationYears-long relationship providing Velocity Electronic Speed Controllers for the JUMP-20 UAS. Currawong ESCs power the electric motors enabling 14+ hours endurance and 13.5kg payload capacity.
• HFE International IncminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in propulsion system development, based in Tucson, Arizona. Established user of Currawong's EFI systems and components. Founded by Tom West with expertise in UAV propulsion.
• Power4FlightcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor and partner, also serves as US partner for distribution and joint exhibition at AUVSI Xponential. Distributor for Corvid engines in US market.
• Cobra AerominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS partner for Corvid-29 engine development and joint exhibition at Xponential show.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• T-Motor (Tiger Motor): Leading Chinese/global manufacturer of high-performance brushless motors and ESCs for commercial and industrial UAVs. Direct competitor to Currawong's Velocity ESC line in the heavy-lift multirotor and VTOL segments.
• Hirth Engines: German manufacturer of small two-stroke and Wankel UAV engines. Competes with Currawong in heavy-lift UAV engine applications, particularly for defense and VTOL platforms.
• KDE Direct: US designer/manufacturer of high-power brushless motors and ESCs for UAS. Competes with Currawong in the high-power-density UAV power-electronics category serving commercial and defense integrators.
• Desert Aircraft: US manufacturer of large gasoline UAV engines; supplies the DA-50 base used by Currawong's Corvid-50. Closely comparable UAV-engine specialist competing in the same heavy-lift ICE propulsion category.
• Embention: Spanish supplier of Veronte autopilots and integrated power electronics for UAVs. Strategic integration partner with Currawong's ESCs/servos/engines and directly comparable as a UAV avionics and power-electronics specialist.
• 3W-Modellmotoren: German manufacturer of large-displacement model/UAV engines including the 3W-28 used as the base for Currawong's Corvid-29. Direct competitor in small-displacement UAV-grade two-stroke engines.
• Power4Flight: US-based designer and manufacturer of power electronics, ESCs and starter-generators for UAVs. Serves as Currawong's US distributor and joint exhibitor at Xponential, operating in the same UAV power-electronics niche.
• Northwest UAV: US-based propulsion systems integrator for small UAVs, providing engines, generators and electronic subsystems. Comparable niche as a small-engine propulsion supplier to defense and commercial UAV programs.

Broad incumbents

• Hobbywing: Large Chinese/global ESC and motor manufacturer with significant UAV/industrial lines. Competes at scale with Currawong's Velocity ESC range across hobby, commercial and defense-adjacent UAV markets.
• Maxon Motor: Swiss precision motor, ESC and drive electronics manufacturer serving aerospace, medical and industrial markets. Competes with Currawong in high-reliability UAV/actuator power electronics at broader scale and reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/currawong-engineering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Currawong Engineering