The United Engine Corporation, part of Rostec, introduced an advanced power unit suitable for use in air taxis and unmanned transport vehicles at the Technoprom-2023 event in Novosibirsk. Unlike cars, here the electric motor is combined not with an internal combustion engine, but with a gas turbine unit.
The hybrid power unit is optimal for long-range vertical take-off and landing UAVs in the logistics and aeromobility areas. I believe that a trend for large UAVs is emerging now. The trend towards the creation of heavy UAVs and the development of hybrid power systems can give a synergistic effect.
Deputy Director of Advanced Programs "UEC-Klimov" Mikhail Shemet
Mikhail Shemet added that UEC is in talks with several development companies to create aircraft with a hybrid power unit. However, expect the emergence of serial samples not soon - UEC itself says that only prototype vehicles based on a hybrid power unit may appear in about 5 years.
We try together with the developers of aircraft to go from the market, i.e. to understand what the customer needs, but I do not rule out that the market needs to be created.
Mikhail Shemet
The power of the presented hybrid power unit is 500 kW. To lift a machine weighing about 3 tons, two such installations will be needed, this will allow transporting goods weighing up to 500 kg.