China completes maiden test flight of a 3D-printed mini jet engine

China has completed the maiden flight test of a self-developed, 3D-printed minimalist turbojet engine in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC).

The flight lasted 30 minutes, during which the aircraft, powered by a single engine, reached an altitude of 6,000 meters and a top speed of Mach 0.75. The AECC said the engine operated smoothly across all performance states, with no abnormalities detected in key operating parameters.

The developer noted that the test further verified the engine's reliability at higher altitudes and in more complex flight environments. It also demonstrated strong compatibility between the engine and aircraft system, providing a potential new power solution for loitering munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and target drones.

The AECC said the flight's success marks a key step in advancing China's independent research and development capabilities in advanced propulsion and additive manufacturing, offering application prospects for lightweight, high-efficiency aviation engines.