USAF Explores LiquidPiston Hybrid Propulsion Options For eVTOL Aircraft

The U.S. Air Force is awarding a $150,000 contract to see if use of a LiquidPiston rotary engine in a hybrid configuration can overcome limitations of current batteries used on eVTOL aircraft.

LiquidPiston engine — LiquidPiston says its X-Engine is not the traditional Wankle-designed rotary engine, LiquidPiston explains its engine has a fundamentally different thermodynamic cycle, architecture, and operation. Aside from ancillary parts such as injectors, fuel pumps, and oil pumps, the only moving parts are the rotor and an eccentric shaft.

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

March 3, 2021

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) granted a contract to a developer of advanced rotary internal combustion engines, LiquidPiston, to evaluate the use of the company’s X-Engine in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and eVTOL aircraft as a means to help overcome limits of current battery technologies.

Awarded on March 4 through the USAF’s AFWERX Agility Prime program, the Phase 1 $150,000 Small Business Technology Transfer contract covers the adaptation of the X-Engine to power UAS and eVTOLs, referred to as “orbs” by the Air Force, through a hybrid-electric propulsion system. Agility Prime is exploring the use of eVTOL and other emerging vehicles for military missions.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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