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China's 3D-printed minimalist turbojet engine holds maiden test flight; suitable for drones, loitering munitions: report

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: Nov 13, 2025 04:59 PM

China has reportedly tested a type of 3D-printed turbojet engine recently, with an expert saying on Thursday that this technology enjoys cost-efficiency and help mass production of drones and loitering munitions.

A 3D-printed minimalist turbojet engine independently developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has passed its first flight test, marking a breakthrough in the engineering application of 3D-printed engines, the company said on Thursday, the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

The 30-minute test saw the engine reach an altitude of 6,000 meters and a top speed of Mach 0.75, according to the CCTV report.

More than three-quarters of the engine's components by weight were manufactured using 3D printing, significantly reducing the part count and achieving the design goals of lightweight and high performance. This lays a solid foundation for future flights at higher altitudes and speeds, the report said.

The successful single-engine flight test can provide new power solutions for loitering munitions, drones, target aircraft and other platforms, demonstrating good application prospects, CCTV said.

Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that some of the biggest advantages of the 3D-printed engine are its cost-efficiency and its economy of scale, noting that the production speed of 3D printing technology is very fast.

Wang also noted that 3D printing is highly standardized and unified manufacturing method, which significantly improves overall product quality.

Small drones and loitering munitions are often considered expendable and are required by large numbers on the battlefield, so cost-efficient engines that can be quickly produced are sought, Wang said.

Mi Dong, director of the chief designers' office at AECC's powerplant research institute, said in the CCTV report that the developers will continue to conduct flight tests of more complexity to verify the engine's compatibility with extreme environments, and optimize processes for mass production.