China tests new 600-kgf engine for UAVs

China's new F406 600-kgf engine is being to developed to power high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). (AECC/Janes )

The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has announced the maiden flight test of a new 600-kgf (1322.77 lbf) high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine.

The domestically developed engine, designated F406, was flight-tested on 23 May on a modified Baofeng-4 (Storm-4) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a twin-engine configuration, AECC said.

It added that during the test, conducted over Xilin Gol League in Inner Mongolia, operations of two F406 prototype engines “remained stable”, with the UAV landing smoothly “after completing all scheduled flight maneuvers”.

The Storm-4 UAV features a reinforced, shared central wing between its dual-fuselage design. State-owned Central China Television (CCTV) aired footage on 24 May showing the UAV taking off and landing, with the two prototype engines mounted on the shared wing.

Developed by AECC's Tianfu Light Power (also known as Sichuan Tianfu Light-Power Technology), the F406 is designed to operate at an altitude of 15,000 m (49,213 feet) and at speeds of up to Mach 0.8, AECC said.

It added that the engine will support a range of platforms, including high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) reconnaissance UAVs, meteorological drones, relay communication UAVs, and unmanned cargo UAVs.

Development of the engine began in early 2024, with a ground-based ignition test completed in December 2024. The first flight test occurred nearly a year later than initially planned. AECC had aimed for June 2025, but pre-flight testing and component qualifications were not completed until December 2025.

Storm-4

AECC said the F406 can power UAVs in the 1.5–4 tonne class. The Storm-4 UAV employed for testing is a 1.2-tonne platform.