Category Archives: Aircraft Propulsion & Energy

GA-ASI Completes Final Qualification Test for HFE 2.0 Engine

On Nov. 13, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., completed its final qualification test for its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine at its El Mirage, California, flight facility. The Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) 2.0 is a highly reliable low-maintenance engine with a 40 percent increase in service life providing longer maintenance-free operational periods. Continue reading

X-Bow Launches Largest Advanced Manufactured Solid Propellant (AMSP) Motor Ever Flown

X-Bow Systems Inc., a non-traditional supplier of advanced manufactured solid rocket motors (SRMs) and defense technologies, has announced the successful third flight of its Bolt Rocket. The XB-32 motor, part of X-Bow’s Bolt rocket family, is the largest Advanced Manufactured Solid Propellant (AMSP) motor ever flown, utilizing the company’s patented advanced manufacturing technology. Continue reading

Zulu Pods Receives Phase 2 SBIR Award from US Navy

Zulu Pods Inc. has been awarded a Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), part of the Department of the Navy (DoN). The award will focus on continued efforts to develop novel, innovative fluid delivery systems for next generation jet engines used in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Continue reading

New NSK Gas Turbine Generator Bearing Promotes Longer eVTOL Flights

NSK has launched a new gas turbine generator bearing specifically for use in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, including large drones. Among the major advances of the bearing are higher speed revolution performance and a new mechanism that reduces the necessary lubricant supply by around 80%, providing a significant contribution to longer eVTOL flight range. Continue reading

Kratos Completes Significant Milestone on Cost Optimized Limited-Life Turbofan Engine

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced that Kratos Turbine Technologies has successfully completed a ground test campaign of a Cost-Optimized, Limited-Life Turbofan Engine. The engine testing was managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Turbine Engine Division (AFRL/RQT) under the Attritable Cost Optimized Limited Life Engine Technologies (ACOLLET) program. Continue reading