The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has achieved a ground-breaking milestone with the successful maiden flight of its independently developed 3D printed micro turbojet engine. The Minimalist Lightweight Micro Turbojet Engine completed its first flight test in North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Tuesday, AECC announced on its official WeChat account on Wednesday.
According to AECC, this 3D printed micro turbojet engine is the first of its kind in China to complete a flight test, delivering an impressive thrust level of 160 kilograms. The engine utilised multidisciplinary topological optimisation and additive manufacturing technology, representing a revolutionary integration and innovation in aviation engine design and manufacturing processes, filling a domestic gap in the full-scale engineering application of this technology.
3D Printed Micro Turbojet Engine
The flight test was conducted according to the planned scheme, with the 3D printed micro turbojet engine reaching a maximum altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. This achievement fully verified the engine’s reliability and stability under real flight conditions, marking significant progress in China’s application of deep integration of multidisciplinary topological optimization design and additive manufacturing in aviation power engineering.
The engine’s development team tackled key technologies such as multidisciplinary topological optimisation design tailored for additive manufacturing and integrated design of components. This innovative approach significantly reduced the engine’s structural weight while achieving remarkable improvements in key performance indicators. The 3D printed micro turbojet engine demonstrates how additive manufacturing can overcome traditional design limitations, enabling more efficient internal geometries and integrated structures that would be impossible through conventional manufacturing methods.
To ensure the success of the flight test on the first attempt, the 3D printed micro turbojet engine had completed critical ground tests before the maiden flight, including comprehensive performance standards evaluation and engine life assessments. These rigorous preparatory protocols validated the engine’s operational parameters and safety standards.
The successful flight of this engine represents more than a technological achievement for China’s aerospace industry. Additive manufacturing in aviation offers significant advantages including reduced part count through integrated design, enhanced performance characteristics via optimised geometries, faster production cycles, and material efficiency through precise deposition techniques. These benefits make 3D printing particularly valuable for developing lightweight, high-performance propulsion systems.
This breakthrough establishes China as a leader in next-generation aerospace manufacturing technologies. The 3D printed micro turbojet engine success demonstrates the maturity and reliability of additive manufacturing for critical aerospace applications, potentially influencing global standards and accelerating international investment in similar technologies.
“This successful maiden flight will lay a more solid technical foundation for the development of subsequent advanced aviation engines,” stated AECC. The achievement opens new possibilities for scalable engine design, rapid prototyping of propulsion systems, and cost-effective manufacturing of specialized components.
The 3D printed micro turbojet engine serves as a proof of concept for larger-scale applications and establishes a foundation for future advanced aviation engine development programs. This milestone positions China competitively in the global aerospace market while demonstrating the transformative potential of additive manufacturing in critical propulsion system applications.
About AECC The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) is a leading state-owned enterprise specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of aircraft engines and gas turbines, focusing on advancing China’s aerospace capabilities through cutting-edge propulsion technologies.
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