The US Air Force has granted a $13.6 million contract to Tennessee-based Minco Technologies to design and demonstrate a next-generation unmanned aerial system (UAS) engine that prioritizes fuel efficiency and operational resilience. Officially titled the Modular Operationally Resilient Fuel-Flexible Extreme-Efficiency UAS-Engine System, the new propulsion unit aims to reduce fuel logistics demands by up to 50%, according to a Department of Defense announcement. Development work will occur in Cookeville, Tennessee, with completion anticipated by August 2028. Although detailed specifications remain undisclosed, the system’s core objectives include extending endurance, improving reliability, and ensuring adaptability in contested environments. Its ability to operate on multiple fuel types enhances operational flexibility and reduces dependence on single-source fuel supplies — a crucial factor in dispersed operations and long-range missions. The initiative supports the Pentagon’s broader effort to improve logistical resilience and sustain unmanned operations farther from fixed installations. The project also reflects growing emphasis on survivability through efficient power systems capable of supporting multiple mission profiles. In a parallel effort, several NATO member states recently commissioned a next-generation hybrid power unit for Patriot missile batteries. Developed by Germany’s VINCORION, the system reportedly reduces refueling needs by threefold per battalion, cutting resupply risks and exposure to enemy attacks. Together, these efforts represent a collective Western drive to enhance autonomy and endurance across unmanned and defensive platforms, ensuring continued readiness in fuel-restricted or high-threat environments.
