First disclosure! Domestic aircraft engine technology has evolved again and again

Ask AI · How can a domestically produced hybrid propulsion system achieve both silent drone operation and long endurance?

“Fly on electricity, generate power with fuel”

Domestic aviation engines

Technology further upgraded

First disclosure ↓

For a long time

Drone propulsion has split into two paths:

Fuel-powered drive is often used for

medium and large drones

With strong power and long endurance, but obvious noise

Meanwhile, pure electric drive is used more on

small or micro drones

Silent and covert with low infrared signatures, but shorter endurance

If you combine the two

to achieve long-lasting endurance and quiet stealth with hybrid power,

what would it look like?

December 10, 2025

A 60 kW hybrid-electric propulsion system

completed a joint flight and engine integration test

It allows the aircraft to

“fly on electricity, generate power with fuel”

The gas turbine engine does not directly drive the aircraft

Instead, it directly drives a generator to work

to charge the battery

Aircraft flight is powered by

an electric ducted fan that provides thrust

This series hybrid propulsion system

balances the fuel’s long endurance

with the silent advantages of electricity

The system is compact

It’s the “all-around partner” for electric aircraft

Generates power while flying

Extends range

and also eliminates the long charging process, allowing faster deployment

During flight, the engine can be shut off

Switch to pure electric mode

Reducing heat generation and improving quietness

And the ducted fan that truly outputs propulsion for the aircraft

is more like fitting a propeller into a cylindrical “shroud”

With lower noise

Truly achieving “arrive quietly, depart quietly”

Now

The 60 kW hybrid-electric propulsion system

has completed flight demonstration and verification

The hybrid “heart” for small drones

is gradually becoming mature

Source: CCTV-7 “The Competition of the Unmanned” (CCTV Military, Comprehensive)

Supervised by ****丨Liu Yiming‍‍‍‍

Edited by 丨Sun Maoning

Reporter 丨Dong Yiming Zhuang Xiaoying Gao Zhiyuan Yan Long**********‍‍‍‍

Editor**丨Gu Shuai