Jetoptera Debuts At Paris Air Show With Successful J-500 Engine Test

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- Jetoptera Inc has successfully completed the first test of the engine intended to power its J-500 unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft, which is being developed in collaboration with Eanan Al Samma for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market.

In a statement, the company said in conjunction with its debut at the Paris Air Show 2025, the First Engine to Test (FETT) was evaluated at VAN DER LEE Turbo Systems facilities in Zaandam, The Netherlands.

The 250-kilowatt turbocompressor at the core of Jetoptera’s Fluidic Propulsive System (FPS) is a two-shaft engine featuring a free turbine mechanically coupled to a two-stage axial compressor, designed to meet the flow rate and pressure ratio requirements of the propulsion system.

Jetoptera Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Dr Andrei Evulet said the next phase will involve performance mapping of the turbocompressor, followed by integration with the FPS onto the J-500 airframe.

“The FETT demonstrated a very smooth startup and operability in turbofan mode. The engine was instrumented in this configuration to monitor pressure, temperature, and thrust output,” he said.

The J-500 prototype, designed specifically for the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets, will leverage the FPS to carry out unmanned cargo missions with VTOL capability, high speed, low noise, and enhanced reliability.

Jetoptera noted that the modular FTC-250 system enables operation in turbojet, turbofan, and FPS modes.

The company also expressed appreciation to Parametric Solutions Inc and VAN DER LEE Turbo Systems for their critical support in the design and manufacture of the FTC-250 engine architecture within a short development timeline.

-- BERNAMA