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Hirth Engines and ePropelled Collaborate on Hybrid UAV Power Systems

Hirth Engines and ePropelled Collaborate on Hybrid UAV Power Systems
Hirth Engines and ePropelled have announced a strategic partnership to develop hybrid propulsion systems tailored for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), aerospace, and defence sectors. This collaboration leverages Hirth’s longstanding expertise in two-stroke engine technology alongside ePropelled’s advanced electric propulsion and power-management capabilities. Together, they aim to address the increasing demand for lightweight, energy-efficient propulsion solutions suited to the rigorous requirements of modern aerial platforms.
Technical Integration and Performance Advantages
The hybrid propulsion systems under development will integrate Hirth’s high-performance 3508HF engine—a liquid-cooled, two-cylinder two-stroke engine capable of operating on heavy fuel—with ePropelled’s intelligent starter-generators and electronic engine starters. This fusion of mechanical and electric power generation is designed to provide operational flexibility, particularly for military and commercial UAVs that require compatibility with jet fuel.
Both companies emphasize that the hybrid solutions will enhance fuel efficiency, extend flight endurance, increase payload capacity, and reduce lifecycle operating costs. The design prioritizes reliability and redundancy, critical factors for mission-critical applications and compliance with stringent regulatory standards. Additionally, the systems aim to deliver superior power-to-weight ratios and consistent performance, essential for UAVs operating in challenging and diverse environments.
Market Context and Industry Implications
The partnership enters a competitive landscape where established aerospace firms such as Rolls-Royce and Honeywell are also advancing hybrid and electric propulsion technologies for UAVs and collaborative combat aircraft. While Hirth and ePropelled’s hybrid-electric approach has garnered investor interest, industry analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the technology’s maturity and the pace of its market adoption. The emergence of this collaboration may prompt accelerated research and development efforts among competitors, potentially intensifying innovation within the UAV propulsion sector.
Applications and Development Outlook
The joint venture targets a broad spectrum of applications, including UAVs, uncrewed systems, advanced air mobility platforms, defence and surveillance operations, and industrial aerial tasks. Bruno-Gerard König, CEO of Hirth Engines, highlighted that the partnership expands the capabilities of their engines and opens new opportunities in rapidly growing sectors such as UAVs and advanced air mobility. Nick Grewal, CEO and Founder of ePropelled, noted that combining their intelligent electric power-generation systems with Hirth’s engines establishes a new standard for performance and efficiency in hybrid propulsion.
Research, development, and system integration efforts are currently in progress, with prototype demonstrations scheduled for upcoming project cycles. The companies plan to unveil their hybrid propulsion prototypes at UMEX in Abu Dhabi in January 2026, providing industry stakeholders with an opportunity to evaluate the technology firsthand.
Hirth Engines, headquartered near Stuttgart, Germany, brings nearly a century of experience in aviation and UAV engine manufacturing. ePropelled, based in Laconia, New Hampshire, holds 40 patents related to smart propulsion and energy-management systems for uncrewed vehicles. Further details are available on their respective websites.

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