Minco Technologies, based in Tennessee, has received a $13.6 million U.S. Air Force contract to design and demonstrate a fuel-efficient drone engine that promises major reductions in energy consumption and logistical strain. The project underscores the Pentagon’s push toward next-generation propulsion systems that support sustainable and resilient unmanned operations.
Known as the Modular Operationally Resilient Fuel-Flexible Extreme-Efficiency UAS-Engine System, the advanced powerplant aims to cut fuel supply needs by half, enhancing operational independence for U.S. unmanned aircraft systems. Development activities will take place in Cookeville, Tennessee, with completion targeted for August 2028.
The new engine will prioritize fuel flexibility, allowing it to operate on various fuel types to maintain mission readiness in austere or disrupted logistics environments. This adaptability will enable U.S. forces to deploy drones farther from established bases and sustain them longer in the field — key advantages in future contested operations.
The initiative mirrors allied efforts to improve battlefield energy efficiency. In a related development, five NATO nations have procured hybrid power systems for their Patriot missile batteries, which are expected to cut refueling requirements threefold per battalion. The systems, supplied by Germany’s VINCORION, will reduce the number of resupply convoys and lower the exposure of personnel to potential threats.
