Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has announced the successful completion of the first flight test of a miniature turbojet engine made primarily by 3D printing.
During the test, the engine powered a target drone for 30 minutes, Xinhua News reports.
The device reached an altitude of 6,000 meters and a speed of Mach 0.75. The engine operated stably and smoothly throughout the flight, confirming its reliability in real-world conditions.
This test was the next stage after the previous test with a suspended carrier, which took place in July this year.
The new stage allowed the designers to test the engine at higher altitudes and in more difficult conditions, as well as to assess its compatibility with the aircraft.
More than 75% of the engine’s total weight is made up of rotating parts and components made by 3D printing. This approach has significantly reduced the number of parts, reduced the weight of the device, and simplified its operation and maintenance.
According to AECC representatives, this opens up new prospects for the use of such engines in various types of unmanned aerial vehicles.
