Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Kawasaki Motors is developing a piston engine for Dronamics’ Black Swan uncrewed air vehicle (UAV). The Japanese automotive group announced its partnership with the Bulgarian drone start-up on September 18, saying they will work together on all aspects of research and development, integration and testing for the new version of the drone.
According to Dronamics, it has developed <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-11-28/dronamics-plans-manufacture-and-fly-cargo-drones-uae">its UAV</a> to be compatible with several engine type without the need to redesign the aircraft itself. The company will continue to offer the model with Rotax engines, but is also exploring the potential to switch to a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-10/new-funding-allows-cranfield-team-build-hydrogen-airliner">hydrogen propulsion system</a>
The Black Swan is intended mainly for civilian cargo operations with a payload of up to 350 kilograms (770 pounds) and range of 2,500 kilometers (1,359 nm). According to Dronamics, the UAV can give halve operating costs compared with comparable existing crewed aircraft, as well as having 60% lower emissions.
<h2>Local Production for Japanese Market</h2>
Dronamics already users Japanese suppliers for the carbon fiber used to manufacture the UAV’s fuselage. The company says the agreement with Kawasaki could make it possible for it to produce aircraft made in Japan for the local market with applications that could also include disaster relief, emergency resupply, and firefighting. However, it will continue to produce the aircraft in Europe as well.
“Partnering with Dronamics represents an exciting milestone in Kawasaki Motors’ renewed commitment to aerospace innovation,” said Hiroshi Tomomori, managing executive officer with the company’s Aviation Systems Group. “By combining our long expertise in engine development with Dronamics’s pioneering UAV technology, we aim to deliver propulsion systems that redefine performance in unmanned and general aviation aircraft.”
Kawasaki, which is well known for making motorcycle engines, announced its plans to develop a new piston aircraft engine in April. During the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2025-04-11/kawasaki-targets-2030-piston-engine-certification">Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany</a>, it said that it aimed to have the first four- and six-cylinder models type certified as early as 2030, and that these will generated maximum power of 200HP and 375HP, respectively.
The company said the new engines will initially run on existing aviation fuels, but will have the potential to transition to hydrogen and e-fuels. It has previously agreed to partner with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-05-22/kawasaki-motors-invests-voltaeros-cassio-hybrid-electric-aircraft">VoltAero,</a> which is developing the hybrid-electric Cassio aircraft.
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