Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

To help fulfill the U.S. Air Force’s need for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA)—next-generation “loyal wingman” drones that can collaborate with crewed military jets—major engine manufacturers have set their sights on a new class of small, affordable engines for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). Engine manufacturers highlighted their new CCA offerings last month during the Air, Space &amp; Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.&nbsp;
On September 22, Pratt &amp; Whitney revealed plans to develop a portfolio of small turbofan engines with thrust ranging from 500 to 1,800 pounds. Two days later, the company announced that it had completed critical tests, confirming that the small turbofan engines—derived from commercial aircraft engines—can produce sufficient thrust for use on CCA platforms.&nbsp;
“For unmanned applications, our commercial-off-the-shelf engines can offer an up to 20% increase in their qualified thrust capability,” said Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt &amp; Whitney's military engines business. “This means that we can deliver increased performance from these production engines. Ultimately, this will allow for reduced cost and weight for multiple applications.”
<h2>GEK Engine Gains Altitude</h2>
Meanwhile, rival engine maker GE Aerospace is also testing a similar small engine that it has been developing in collaboration with Kratos Turbine Technologies, a division of Kratos Defense &amp; Security Solutions, for the past two years. The partners’ first product, the expendable 800-pound-thrust <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2024-07-22/ge-and-kratos-pursue-affordable-small-turbofans">GEK800</a>, passed a critical design review earlier this year and is now undergoing ground tests.
In June, GE and Kratos formally launched a joint development program to produce small turbofan engines specifically suited for the next generation of “affordable” military drones and CCA. At the same time, they revealed plans to produce a larger, 1,500-pound-thrust engine dubbed the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2025-06-13/ge-kratos-introduce-small-engine-collaborative-combat-aircraft">GEK1500</a>, which is designed for reusable aircraft in uncrewed combat scenarios. Designed with scalability in mind, the GEK family delivers a ceiling thrust level of around 3,000 pounds.&nbsp;
On September 23, GE announced that the GEK800 had begun altitude testing in a facility at Purdue University’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories in West Lafayette, Indiana. Expected to wrap up before the end of the year, the altitude test campaign will focus on evaluating the engine’s performance in the 5,000- to 35,000-foot range, GE noted.&nbsp;
“The GEK800 engine has performed well and exceeded our expectations in its ground testing to date,” said Mark Rettig, vice president of GE Aerospace’s Edison Works advanced programs division. “During altitude testing, we will collect data on the engine’s performance in a range of altitudes to assess its operability in simulated real-world conditions.”
<h2>Honeywell Introduces HON1600&nbsp;</h2>
On September 22, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies entered the fray with the announcement of a small-thrust-class engine that it has also designed for UAS and CCA applications. According to Honeywell, the new HON1600 engine features a flexible and scalable architecture that can support both turbojet and turbofan variants in the 800- to 1,600-pound thrust range, and it can operate at altitudes up to 40,000 feet.&nbsp;
"We’ve designed this engine to meet the new generation of CCA and UAS platforms that require unprecedented performance to keep pace with mission demands,” said Dave Marinick, president of engines and power systems at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Our propulsion system is based on proven and tested technology in use today, plus the latest advancements in digital modeling and manufacturing, to enable a cost-effective and efficient solution for military operators.”&nbsp;

In 2023, the Air Force announced its intention to procure 1,000 aircraft for the CCA program starting in the late 2020s as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems.&nbsp;
For the first increment of the CCA program, the Air Force <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2025-06-17/air-force-ccas-face-paris">selected General Atomics and Anduril</a> to compete in developing production-representative prototypes of relatively large UAS platforms under the CCA program. General Atomics began flying its prototype this summer, and Anduril aims to begin test flights later this month. The CCA program is expected to announce the second-increment contract awards in early 2026.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Small ‘Collaborative Combat Aircraft’ Engines Begin Ground Tests

Major engine manufacturers look to power collaborative combat aircraft

Engine manufacturers GE and Pratt & Whitney have set their sights on a new class of small, affordable engines for drones and collaborative combat aircraft. 

Small Combat Drone Engines Begin Ground Tests

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Research will support next-generation uncrewed and collaborative air systems

Merlin, USAF Team on Autonomous Contingency Management

Aliaca and Capa-X join Airbus Helicopters’ growing tactical UAS portfolio

Airbus Helicopters Takes Over Survey Copter Drone Lines

Charlotte Bailey

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Honeywell and partners are working on the Operate Anywhere Ground Control Station 

OperA Team Chases EASA Approval for UAV Ops Management Technology

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

SkyOS flight automation system makes its fixed-wing debut

Skyryse’s SkyOS Takes Flight on Cirrus SR22

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Autonomous U-Hawk replaces the Black Hawk’s cockpit with a cargo door 

Sikorsky Unveils Uncrewed Black Hawk Variant

Hybrid-electric cargo drone maker inks $50 million contract with healthcare logistics provider

MightyFly To Launch Medical Drone Deliveries in California

Curt Epstein

Service is expected to begin there in 2027

Joby, Skyports Ink Air Taxi Deal in UAE Emirate

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

In this article

Pratt & Whitney

GE Aerospace

Honeywell

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles