The US Air Force has awarded Tennessee-based Minco Technologies a $13.6-million contract to develop and demonstrate a next-generation drone engine designed to improve fuel efficiency significantly.
Dubbed the Modular Operationally Resilient Fuel-Flexible Extreme-Efficiency UAS-Engine System, the propulsion system is expected to cut logistical fuel supply requirements by 50 percent, according to a Pentagon contract notice.
Work will take place in Cookeville, Tennessee, with completion slated for August 30, 2028.
To Enhance Logistic Resilience
While technical details remain undisclosed, the effort centers on improving endurance and survivability in contested environments.
Beyond efficiency gains, the powerplant is designed for fuel flexibility, enabling it to operate on a variety of fuels and thereby strengthening logistics resilience in contested operations.
These characteristics will enable US forces to deploy unmanned systems farther from established bases and sustain operations for longer durations.
Similar Move
In a comparable move, five NATO countries have ordered a next-generation hybrid power system for their Patriot air defense batteries, expected to reduce daily refueling requirements threefold per battalion.
Germany’s VINCORION is supplying the system, which is intended to cut resupply trips and lower exposure to attack.
