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30. September 2025
Us Air Force Unveils Next-Gen Engine For Drones Boosting Efficiency By Up To 50
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Minco Technologies of Cookeville, Tennessee, a contract valued at up to $13.6 million to develop a next-generation engine designed to dramatically reduce fuel consumption and improve operational flexibility for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The project, titled “Modular Operationally Resilient Fuel-Flexible Extreme-Efficiency UAS-Engine System,” aims to create a modular, fuel-flexible propulsion system that could potentially cut the logistical fuel supply chain by as much as 50 percent. This would enable UAS platforms to operate farther from established bases and sustain longer without the same level of fuel resupply.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright Site, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, is overseeing the program under contract number FA2394-25-C-B056. Work will be conducted in Cookeville, Tennessee, with an expected completion date of August 30, 2028.
The Pentagon has increasingly emphasized the need to make logistics more resilient in contested environments, where fuel convoys and forward supply lines are vulnerable to disruption. By enabling UAS platforms to operate on a wider range of fuel types and consume less of it, the new engine system could play a key role in reducing these vulnerabilities.
In recent years, the U.S. military has faced several challenges related to fuel logistics, including disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. The reliance on traditional fossil fuels for UAS propulsion systems has been identified as a major obstacle to improving operational flexibility and survivability.
The new engine system is designed to address these challenges head-on. By developing a modular, fuel-flexible propulsion system, Minco Technologies aims to enable UAS platforms to operate in environments where traditional fuel sources are scarce or unreliable. The system will focus on advancing powerplant efficiency and adaptability for UAS, with an emphasis on operating on alternative fuels such as biofuels and hydrogen.
The Air Force envisions unmanned systems operating farther from established bases and sustaining operations longer without the same level of fuel resupply. A propulsion system that cuts the logistical footprint in half would not only lower operational risk but also enhance the flexibility of how and where UAS platforms can be deployed.
For example, imagine a scenario where a UAS is deployed to a remote area with limited access to fuel supplies. With the new engine system, the UAS could operate on alternative fuels or even switch to an electric propulsion mode, reducing its reliance on traditional fossil fuels and enabling it to stay operational longer.
This technology has significant implications for future drone operations, particularly in contested environments where logistics are already stretched thin. By enabling UAS platforms to operate more efficiently and sustainably, the new engine system could play a key role in supporting military operations and enhancing national security.
The project is also aligned with broader Defense Department goals related to energy efficiency and sustainability. The Pentagon has identified energy efficiency as a critical component of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
By investing in this technology, the Air Force is taking a proactive approach to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing modern militaries. As the use of drones continues to grow, there will be growing demands for more efficient and sustainable propulsion systems.
The new engine system is likely to have spin-off benefits for commercial drone operators and other industries that rely on UAS technology. The Pentagon’s investment in this project represents a significant step forward in the development of unmanned aerial systems, with the potential to transform the way drones are designed, built, and operated.