Orbital’s CEO Appointment Signals High-Stakes Shift to Defence UAV Market

Leadership Change Signals Strategic Shift

Orbital Corporation Limited has announced the appointment of Stephen Pearce as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 30 June 2025. This leadership change is a pivotal moment for the company as it transitions from a focus on engine development to the commercial exploitation of its propulsion and flight management technologies tailored for Tier 1 defence unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) customers.

Pearce’s arrival completes a recent management overhaul that also included the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer and a General Manager of Engineering, underscoring Orbital’s commitment to strengthening its executive team to support its growth ambitions.

Expertise to Drive Commercial Growth

With extensive experience in the defence sector and a particular focus on UAVs, Pearce brings a wealth of knowledge about the global defence UAV market. His proven track record in successfully commercialising advanced technologies and guiding companies through the critical transition from engineering design to manufacturing is expected to be instrumental as Orbital moves into a new phase of growth.

Orbital’s propulsion and flight management systems have been validated through collaborations with leading Tier 1 defence partners such as Textron and Boeing Insitu. These partnerships have demonstrated the company’s ability to meet the stringent performance and reliability standards demanded by next-generation tactical UAVs.

Positioned at the Forefront of UAV Technology

Having accumulated over one million operational flight hours across its engine platforms, Orbital’s technology is recognised for its industry-leading performance and reliability. The company is now focused on scaling its manufacturing capabilities to fully integrate propulsion systems and related hardware, aiming to capture a larger share of the tactical UAV defence market, which remains dominated by major global contractors.

Chairman Kyle Abbott highlighted that Pearce’s appointment is a strategic move to accelerate Orbital’s commercial deployment efforts and to solidify its position within this highly technical and competitive sector.

Incentives Aligned with Growth Objectives

Pearce’s remuneration package includes a total fixed remuneration of $400,000 per annum, supplemented by a short-term incentive of up to 30% based on annual performance targets. Additionally, he will receive 500,000 options under the company’s Employee Incentive Plan, approved at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, aligning his interests with long-term shareholder value creation.

As Orbital embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on how Pearce leverages his expertise to convert the company’s technological advances into tangible commercial success.