Technical Specifications
Mechanical Parameters
Propulsion & Efficiency
Electrical & Interfaces
Platform & Protection
Product Overview
Aero-Engine 550cc is a new generation heavy-duty twin-cylinder boxer EFI gasoline/heavy-fuel piston engine, specifically developed to provide continuous, stable, and highly efficient thrust for hundred-kilogram class medium-to-large heavy-load fixed-wing UAVs and long-endurance vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) composite-wing platforms.
As the core propulsion base of heavy-load platforms, the crankshaft case and cylinder heads of Aero-Engine 550cc are fully precision-machined from aviation-grade high-strength aluminum alloy, with a net weight of only 12.5 kg. The cylinders adopt the classic horizontally opposed (Boxer) layout, offering impeccable symmetry and stability.
The system natively integrates an advanced altitude-adaptive Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system, outputting high-energy torque under wide temperatures from -30 °C to +50 °C and extreme altitudes up to 5,000 m. The surging thrust of 50 - 55 hp, combined with a heavy-load ultra-long endurance envelope of over 10 hours, makes it the preferred propulsion heart for heavy industrial mapping and defense patrol platforms.
Technical Features & Materials
Technical Features & Materials
Industrial long-endurance loitering imposes extremely harsh requirements on power reliability and fuel consumption rates. Aero-Engine 550 has been fully optimized in ignition control and thermodynamic efficiency.
- Boxer low-vibration advantage: The horizontally opposed twin-cylinder piston design naturally cancels out the inertial moments generated by reciprocating motion, drastically reducing low-frequency vibration. This effectively protects the high-precision mapping LiDAR and 50-megapixel optoelectronic gimbals suspended under the fuselage from vibration interference.
- Low fuel consumption: The system adopts dual-channel high-pressure fuel injectors and a digital Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system. The gasoline cruise fuel consumption is controlled at 4.5 L/h, while heavy fuel consumption is lower than 2.0 L/h, greatly ensuring flight endurance economy.
- Dual-metal mesh air filter & durable cylinders: The cylinder heads are covered with ultra-thin aluminum alloy fins for maximum heat dissipation, with a high-efficiency dual-metal mesh air filter on top to isolate dust particles. The cylinder bores are lined with a wear-resistant ceramic anti-corrosion coating, ensuring operational longevity in harsh dusty environments.
System Interfaces & Integration
System Interfaces & Integration
As a general heavy-duty propulsion platform, Aero-Engine 550 has extremely rich and friendly system-level data interaction and electrical installation interfaces.
- CAN-bus telemetry & automatic control: The engine control unit (ECU) natively integrates dual-channel CAN-bus and standard PWM inputs. The flight control system can obtain precise generator RPM, real-time cylinder temperature, injection volume, and power output via MAVLink protocol, executing “intelligent throttle automatic start-stop” with control modules.
- 1,500 W built-in starter-alternator: A brushless starter-generator is highly integrated on the front crankshaft. It supports “one-key remote cold start” in the field and automatically switches to generator mode after takeoff, outputting a stable current of 1,500 W @ 28 V / 50 V to avionics and the takeoff battery pack, eliminating the need for an extra generator.
- Heavy-duty flange & vibration-absorbing interface: The rear end features a standard aviation-grade thickened flange. Multi-hole mounting slots ensure that when paired with a 100 kg-class fuselage mounting bracket (such as FDG51), high-density vibration dampers filter out over 95% of engine mechanical stress transmission.
Installation & Maintenance SOP
Bolt Torque & Alignment Calibration
When the engine is mounted on the aircraft tailcone frame via the flange, the 4 main fixing bolts must be tightened alternately with a recommended torque of 12 N·m. Use an electronic balance to confirm that the engine’s main axis aligns horizontally with the aircraft’s longitudinal axis.
EFI Fuel Injector Airtightness Self-test
Before the first cold start or after long-term storage, execute an EFI injector operation test via the GCS, listen to the solenoid valve sound, and check that fuel lines are airtight and free of dust, preventing high-altitude engine flameout due to vapor lock or impurities.
Spark Plug & Air Filter Maintenance
Every 50 cumulative flight hours, the air filter mesh must be removed and cleaned, and carbon deposits on spark plug electrodes wiped with a soft cloth. Every 200 hours, a professional deep de-carbonization of the cylinder heads must be performed, and the rubber airtight gaskets replaced.
Wide-Temperature All-Weather Operational Safety Limits
Since the gas engine runs under high thermal radiation, ground warm-up test times should be limited to 5 minutes. Ground personnel are strictly prohibited from approaching the rotating area of the 22 - 24 inch propeller when the engine is powered on or running.
