What Would The World Miss if UAV Propulsion Tech Didn’t Exist?

“If I didn’t start this, someone else would’ve but not the same way.” That’s how Bob Schmidt, the CEO & Founder of UAV Propulsion Tech, sees it. And he’s probably right. Because without his efforts, the drone industry might still be entirely stuck patching together propulsion and hardware solutions from a disconnected global supply chain. 

To be fair, parts of the industry still are.

But UAV Propulsion Tech carved out a space by solving a real, persistent problem bringing high-performance European Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) components under one roof for the United States (US) drone builders who needed more than off-the-shelf hobby parts. Even when one of his top-performing rep companies decided to open their own U.S. facility and ended their agreement causing a significant hit to revenue, Bob saw it as just another challenge to solve. He hustled, adapted, and quickly filled the gap by expanding his offering and deepening relationships with other partners. Read on to learn how they got here and what they’re still crazy enough to chase next.

Connecting Global Tech to US Demand

Hitch n’ Plow

Bob’s journey didn’t begin with drones. It started in Michigan’s automotive industry, where he worked as a mechanical engineer developing fuel pumps and delivery modules for two of the largest automotive suppliers. His work eventually took him to France for a stint supporting a joint venture in the European market. A part-time inventor at heart, Bob also holds a patent for a driveway grading tool proof of the hands-on, problem-solving mindset he carried into the UAV space.

By 2003, that mindset found a new direction. A twist of fate brought him into the UAV industry, and by 2007, he was no longer just working in it, he was betting everything on it. Why? Because smaller companies outside the US, often rich in innovation but limited in market reach, needed a partner who could connect their advanced technology to the growing demand in North America. Bob stepped into that space, representing companies from Europe and elsewhere who had the tech but lacked the access.

Over time, UAV Propulsion Tech became one of the few players offering a suite of UAV hardware solutions, not just components. That meant US defense and commercial customers could finally go to one place for what used to be a jigsaw puzzle of international procurement.

Ask Bob’s clients, and they’ll joke: “He offers everything but the kitchen sink.” Talk actuators with him, and you might walk out also knowing he has electric motors, too. He’s always selling because he knows what they might need before they do.

Introducing a System-Level Conversation

UAV Propulsion Tech helped introduce a conversation the drone industry wasn’t having: offering complete propulsion solutions that could run on gasoline or heavy fuels, use direct drive or reduction drive to increase thrust, or be adapted as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft all while meeting strict performance, weight, and reliability demands. Bob represents 15 different companies. While engines and actuators remain the core, the other 13 allow him to draw in customers looking for specific components like non-Chinese Direct Current (DC) motors, rescue parachutes, or gyro-stabilized gimbals. Once inside a supplier system, it becomes much easier to position the company as a “one-stop shop” for UAV hardware, something procurement teams value as they seek both cutting-edge technology and a streamlined supply base.

Quiet Fixes with Big Impact

Some of the company’s biggest wins haven’t come from flash, they came from quietly solving hard problems that others overlooked. Take the issue of spark igniting jet fuel, for example. It’s a  North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) requirement for shipboard UAVs because jet fuel is less volatile than gasoline, but it’s harder to ignite. Bob's Swiss propulsion partner evaluated several methods before locking in a solution that struck the best balance of power, fuel efficiency, hardware reliability, and consistent supply. 

Heavy-fuel two-strokes have been around for decades but are often plagued by issues like low Time Between Overhauls (TBOs), knock sensitivity, and engine failure risk. Those problems got solved and today, that solution supports global defense programs. Another standout came during COVID-19, when the German servo partner kept delivering thanks to safety stock and dual production shifts while other supply chains, especially in Asia, stalled. For US Department of Defense (DoD) customers, that consistency, combined with guaranteed non-Chinese sourcing, speaks volumes.

Turning Roadblocks into Opportunity

Bob Schmidt of UAV Propulsion Tech

Some large U.S. defense companies were hesitant to deal with overseas payments or foreign shipments. Instead of pushing back, the company adapted acting as a domestic layer to process payments and forward shipments on behalf of its international partners. That shift made a big difference. In fact, sales to US customers have grown significantly over the past five years because of it.

For anyone looking to break into this space, Bob’s advice is straightforward: know the customer, the competition, and the market. Your product needs to offer real value whether that’s lower cost, better reliability, lighter weight, or stronger performance. "If you can provide all four, then you definitely have something that your customers will want," says Bob. And finally, show up where it matters at trade shows where customers and competitors gather. The more informed you are, the more equipped you’ll be to stand out.

Betting on the Right Aircraft & Clearing Myths

Getting onto a new UAV program often means investing early, knowing full well that the first few units sold won’t bring in much revenue and will require plenty of support. But that’s the gamble: to benefit from future volume, you have to be on the aircraft from the start. If you’re not, and the customer succeeds, it’s much harder to displace a competitor’s product that’s already been flying and validated. According to Bob, more than 50% of programs don’t move forward but placing those bets is simply part of what it takes to succeed in this space.

There’s a persistent myth in the drone industry that the DoD always requires US made UAV hardware. Bob highlights, "they are always looking for the best solution and if this is from Europe or other areas outside the US, they will consider these solutions." That understanding helps the company to become a trusted partner by sourcing and supplying top-tier components from around the world, matching mission requirements over origin assumptions.

What Would the World Miss Then?

One Stop Solution

According to Bob, the one thing the world would absolutely miss if this company disappeared tomorrow is: “Being able to call someone who knows where to find advanced UAV hardware. UAV Propulsion Tech is a one-stop shop for hardware for the UAV market, and if we don’t have it, we can usually tell you who does.”