The United Engine Corporation, part of Rostec, announced the commencement of work on the creation of a demonstrator of a hybrid power unit with a capacity of 500 kW for prospective domestic unmanned aerial vehicles, airplanes, and helicopters.
The state corporation reported that the power unit is based on the VK-650 aviation gas turbine engine, and also includes an electric generator and two electric motors.
«Last year, we manufactured and completed testing of the GPU demonstrator [hybrid power unit] with a power of 100 kW, on the basis of which we worked out basic technical solutions, we managed to make all elements of the unit work in coordination under our control. The formed groundwork allowed us to approach the target mark of 500 kW,” - said Mikhail Shemet, deputy director of prospective programs “ODK-Klimov”.
In Rostec, the advantages of hybrid power units were listed. Among them, in addition to the obvious reduction in fuel consumption and environmental friendliness, - increased flight safety due to the presence of two sources of energy instead of one, shortened takeoff, and increased maneuverability.