DARPA, in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory and Northrop Grumman, flew the XRQ-73, a hybrid-electric, unmanned experimental aircraft.
Category Archives: Aircraft Propulsion & Energy
KULR Secures Defence Drone Battery Order with Potential Value of $5M for 2026
KULR Technology Group, Inc. , an energy-systems platform company that enables the safe, certifiable deployment of ultra-high-power lithium battery systems for space and defence programs, hyperscale AI data centers, and telecom infrastructure OEMs, announced that it received initial purchase orders totaling nearly $1.0 million from a U.S. defence technology company and manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems specializing in first-person view drones for military use. Continue reading
Kratos and U.S. Army Integrate Kratos J85 Engine into Kratos Firejet Drone System
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has announced that it has completed the initial flight series of the Kratos J85 engine version of the Firejet unmanned aerial system (UAS), dubbed Mk1 Firejet. This second major configuration of the Firejet enables users/customers to select the model that best suits their operational requirements.
Kraus Hamdani Demonstrates Extended-Endurance UAS Flight Using Wireless Power Beaming
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA), in partnership with PowerLight Technologies, demonstrated wireless power beaming to the K1000ULE during flight operations at Shaw Air Force Base, sustaining airborne operations without interrupting mission coverage. Continue reading
Beehive Industries Gets $30M U.S. Air Force Contract by for Frenzy Engine Family Development
Beehive Industries, an American manufacturer of advanced propulsion systems for unmanned aerial defence applications, announced that it has been awarded a $29.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to complete vehicle integration, flight testing, and qualification of the company’s 200 lbf Frenzy 8 engine—a pivotal step toward operational readiness and scalable production of Beehive’s flagship propulsion product.
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MTU Aero Engines Acquires AeroDesignWorks to Expand into UAV Propulsion Systems
Aircraft propulsion expert MTU Aero Engines AG is acquiring AeroDesignWorks GmbH. The provider of drone propulsion systems is based in Cologne, Germany, and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MTU. Continue reading
X-Bow Wins $12M Contract for Rocket-Assisted Take-Off Kits
X-Bow Systems Inc., a non-traditional manufacturer of advanced solid rocket motors and sub-orbital launch systems, has secured a $12.2 million contract with AEVEX Aerospace to produce rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) kits for AEVEX’s Disruptor drone. Continue reading
Quieter, Stealthier, Further: New Hybrid Unit to Power China’s Small Battle Drones
Chinese-developed hybrid propulsion approach is combining fuel-based generation with an electric drive to optimize drone performance. In this configuration, a fuel-powered source generates electricity to run the motor, effectively merging the endurance of combustion systems with the low-signature advantages of electric propulsion.