US Army Flight-Tests 3D-Printed Heavy Fuel Rotary Engine on Hybrid-Electric VICTOR Drone

The US Army Research Laboratory has flight-demonstrated a 3D-printed heavy-fuel rotary engine in a series-hybrid propulsion system aboard the Group 3 VICTOR drone. The air-cooled engine drives a 400-volt motor-generator, supplying electrical propulsion designed to support vertical takeoff and landing without requiring a liquid-cooling circuit. Developed with industry partners including Griffon Aerospace, the aircraft demonstrated flight near Huntsville, Alabama, following research into fuel atomisation, vaporisation and sealing. The laboratory will make VICTOR and its associated PULSAR multi-aircraft concept available to military partners for further experimentation and development.