At the Samara University named after Korolev, a prototype of a light and compact piston engine "Dobrynya" for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been developed. The weight of the device was reduced by 15% compared to similar imported models. For this, polymeric materials were used in production.
The new single-cylinder two-stroke piston internal combustion engine weighs about 1.5 kg and runs on gasoline grades AI-92 or AI-95. Fuel consumption is up to 2.2 liters per hour.
Engine power is 5 hp. Length is 20 cm, width is 9.5 cm, height is 18 cm.
The prototype has already passed flight tests at the university's training airfield, where it was installed on a glider with a payload of about 10 kg. The tests were carried out in difficult weather conditions, but the engine performed excellently and worked without problems even at low temperatures.
The project manager, Andrei Bulatov, said that the prototype is planned to be tested by the summer of 2026. The university is also working on creating a whole family of aviation piston engines of various configurations and purposes.
The family includes single-, two- and four-cylinder engines, as well as hybrid power plants for UAVs of the copter type - when an internal combustion engine is used to generate electricity for the electric motors of the copter. Some models of the family will be carburetor, some will be injector, with an electronic throttle.
New engines will be able to find application not only in the field of unmanned aviation, but also on the ground (in lawn mowers, gasoline trimmers and in other tools).
Read more materials on the topic:
- Tomsk scientists have created a compact rotary piston engine for drones with a capacity of 36 hp
- Russia has created a new engine for Orlan reconnaissance UAVs: completely invulnerable to electronic warfare
- Made of glass and aluminum: a new coating to increase engine efficiency and reduce fuel consumption was developed at SUSU
