Chinese Engine Development

by78 · Nov 9, 2022

The original CH-4 was rumored to be powered by the Limbach MD550. Limbach started out as a German company, but was bought by the Chinese in 2011. Production now takes place in Xiamen. Apparently an upgraded version of CH-4 was powered by the Austrian ROTAX-915IS. Now, ROTAX-915IS has been replaced by the 118kw Skylark DB416 engine (2nd and 3rd image) made by Hangrui Power (航瑞动力).

taxiya · Nov 9, 2022

latenlazy said:
It might not be, but it *looks* like the WS-10 and if so the casing and nozzle petals seem to be carbon fiber, and I only remember seeing WS-10 models sporting that look starting from last year’s Zhuhai.

Maybe it is just a WS-10? I compared this photo with 2021 photo, they looks 99% the same, such details like components and their locations, even how the pipes are routed.

The 1% difference is the nozzle, I don't know if the light gray ring is part of the nozzle or a cover.

It could be named "new" for a new variant. But even that "new" may have been seen by us because how we designate the variants in the open is not necessarily how PLA does.

Clark Gap · Nov 9, 2022

by78 said:
The original CH-4 was rumored to be powered by the Limbach MD550. Limbach started out as a German company, but was bought by the Chinese in 2011. Production now takes place in Xiamen. Apparently an upgraded version of CH-4 was powered by the Austrian ROTAX-915IS. Now, ROTAX-915IS has been replaced by the 118kw Skylark DB416 engine (2nd and 3rd image) made by Hangrui Power (航瑞动力).

Add more detail:

DB883(金鹰-max 600kw): for CH-5

600kW military drone heavy fuel engine Main product features：
Boxer 8 cylinders ,4-stroke
Suitable for heavy fuel: diesel, RP- 3/RP-5
Light-weight design, high power-to-weight ratio
No attenuation altitude 4000m, the limit altitude is 10000m
Low fuel consumption, long-endurance
TBO time > 2000h

Fuel：Diesel, Jetfuel(RP- 3/RP- 5);
Boxer 8 cylinders,Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, High pressure common rail, TCI
Maximum continuous power/Speed：805hp/4000rpm
Minimum fuel consumption：213g/kW·h
Weight(dry)：Air version 515kg, face version 650kg
Length x widthx height：712×706×643mm (Integrated intake manifold status) 712×706×588mm（Split inlet manifold status)
Main uses：Apply to heavy load long endurance UAV, light helicopter, navigation fixed-wing aircraft, light leisure sport aircraft etc and range extenders.

Similar to lycoming EL-005 heavy-fuel engine

by78 · Nov 9, 2022

by78 said:
The original CH-4 was rumored to be powered by the Limbach MD550. Limbach started out as a German company, but was bought by the Chinese in 2011. Production now takes place in Xiamen. Apparently an upgraded version of CH-4 was powered by the Austrian ROTAX-915IS. Now, ROTAX-915IS has been replaced by the 118kw Skylark DB416 engine (2nd and 3rd image) made by Hangrui Power (航瑞动力).

Speaking of Hangrui Power (航瑞动力), it apparently also makes a new 600kw engine for the CH-5, named DB883.

Clark Gap · Nov 9, 2022

Clark Gap said:
Add more detail:

DB883(金鹰-max 600kw): for CH-5
View attachment 101476
View attachment 101477

600kW military drone heavy fuel engine Main product features：
Boxer 8 cylinders ,4-stroke
Suitable for heavy fuel: diesel, RP- 3/RP-5
Light-weight design, high power-to-weight ratio
No attenuation altitude 4000m, the limit altitude is 10000m
Low fuel consumption, long-endurance
TBO time > 2000h

Fuel：Diesel, Jetfuel(RP- 3/RP- 5);
Boxer 8 cylinders,Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, High pressure common rail, TCI
Maximum continuous power/Speed：805hp/4000rpm
Minimum fuel consumption：213g/kW·h
Weight(dry)：Air version 515kg, face version 650kg
Length x widthx height：712×706×643mm (Integrated intake manifold status) 712×706×588mm（Split inlet manifold status)
Main uses：Apply to heavy load long endurance UAV, light helicopter, navigation fixed-wing aircraft, light leisure sport aircraft etc and range extenders.

Similar to lycoming EL-005 heavy-fuel engine

And DB416(云雀-118kw) for CH-4:

115kW heavy fuel engine-DB416 Main product features：
Boxer 4 cylinders ,4-stroke
Suitable for heavy fuel: diesel, RP- 3/RP-5
Light-weight design, high power-to-weight ratio
No attenuation altitude 4000m/6000m, the limit altitude is 10000m/12000m
Low fuel consumption, long-endurance
TBO time > 2000h

Fuel：Diesel, Jetfuel(RP- 3/RP- 5);
Boxer 4 cylinders,Liquid-cooled,4-stroke, High pressure common rail,TCI
Maximum continuous power/Speed：150hp/4000rpm
Minimum fuel consumption：220g/kW·h Weight(dry)：102kg, 112（With reducer）
Length x widthx height：712×706×643mm (Integrated intake manifold status) 712×706×588mm（Split inlet manifold status)
Main uses：Apply to heavy load long endurance UAV, light helicopter, navigation fixed-wing aircraft, light leisure sport aircraft etc and range extenders.

Similar to thielert 165 hp heavy-fuel engine, thielert centurion 1.7 heavy-fuel engine, hfe-180hp heavy-fuel engine

Both DB416 and DB883 are products of Hangrui Power (航瑞动力), a aero-engines company which main crews came from Chery Automobile。

by78 · Nov 9, 2022

by78 said:
The engines for the Tengden/Tengoen TB001A and TB001D have been revealed. The former uses C145HT, and the latter uses C145I. Both engines are made by Chongqing Zongshen Power Machinery Co. (宗申动力), which also provides engines to CH-3 UAV.

Speaking of Zongshen Power Machinery Co. (宗申动力), its TD0 engine now powers the CH-3 UAV, its C115 engine powers the WingLoong-1, and its C12H engines powers a certain unnamed UAV.

Clark Gap · Nov 9, 2022

Clark Gap said:
And DB416(云雀-118kw) for CH-4:
View attachment 101482 View attachment 101484
View attachment 101485
View attachment 101483

115kW heavy fuel engine-DB416 Main product features：
Boxer 4 cylinders ,4-stroke
Suitable for heavy fuel: diesel, RP- 3/RP-5
Light-weight design, high power-to-weight ratio
No attenuation altitude 4000m/6000m, the limit altitude is 10000m/12000m
Low fuel consumption, long-endurance
TBO time > 2000h

Fuel：Diesel, Jetfuel(RP- 3/RP- 5);
Boxer 4 cylinders,Liquid-cooled,4-stroke, High pressure common rail,TCI
Maximum continuous power/Speed：150hp/4000rpm
Minimum fuel consumption：220g/kW·h Weight(dry)：102kg, 112（With reducer）
Length x widthx height：712×706×643mm (Integrated intake manifold status) 712×706×588mm（Split inlet manifold status)
Main uses：Apply to heavy load long endurance UAV, light helicopter, navigation fixed-wing aircraft, light leisure sport aircraft etc and range extenders.

Similar to thielert 165 hp heavy-fuel engine, thielert centurion 1.7 heavy-fuel engine, hfe-180hp heavy-fuel engine

Both DB416 and DB883 are products of Hangrui Power (航瑞动力), a aero-engines company which main crews came from Chery Automobile。

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ZeEa5KPul · Nov 9, 2022

by78 said:
The original CH-4 was rumored to be powered by the Limbach MD550. Limbach started out as a German company, but was bought by the Chinese in 2011.

OT FYI, this is the engine used on the Iranian Shahed-136 drones (or completely indigenous Geran-2) used in Ukraine.

gelgoog · Nov 9, 2022

The Iranians make their own clones of the engine (MADO MD550). They even replaced some metal parts with plastic to make it cheaper.

sunnymaxi · Nov 10, 2022

information post -

Safran Aircraft Engines production plant Suzhou, China.

With 570 employees, this planet is specialized in the machining and assembly of low pressure parts and modules for CFM56 and CFMLEAP engines.

This is just one plant of Safran in China. they are deeply involved in mainland with local firms and established many joint ventures. total 20 centers and 4 major production plants(joint venture) in Mainland.

producing engines parts.

Chinese Engine Development

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