China has successfully completed the first ignition test of its domestically developed 600-kilogram thrust turbofan engine in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, as was announced by Aero Engine Corporation of China on Friday.
The turbofan engine is the first of its kind developed by China. It delivers a thrust of 600 kilograms and is fully China-owned in terms of intellectual property rights. It is capable of reaching altitudes above 15,000 meters with speeds exceeding 0.8 Mach. Among its features are long endurance, low fuel consumption, and high reliability.
This engine is primarily intended for high-end unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). From its design to the successful ignition, the engine was developed in less than eight months, setting a new record for the research and development of this type of turbofan engine.
According to its plan, the engine will complete the first flight in June 2025, and reach final design approval by 2026. The turbofan engine is expected to significantly boost China’s capabilities in the 1.5- to 4-ton UAV category.
China completes ignition test for 600-kilo thrust turbofan engine
