Overview
- The engine powered a small target drone for 30 minutes, reaching about 6,000 metres and roughly Mach 0.75.
- Output was about 160 kilograms of thrust, with the engine serving as the aircraft’s only propulsion source during the mission.
- More than 75% of the engine’s weight consists of 3D-printed parts, including all rotating components, reducing part count and weight.
- CCTV reported stable performance throughout, with rail launch and parachute recovery used for the test flight.
- Officials did not disclose the test location or overall engine mass, and developers plan more demanding flights to expand the envelope and assess applications for loitering munitions and other drones.