Drones need low-medium power high bypass turbofans not low bypass engines for maximum efficiency.
PLA strike strategies in westpac HIC
- Thread starter SEAD
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Technically speaking anything more than 5 can be considered "High BPR" but IMO definition is sorta of murky. AE3007 used by the RQ-4 is a bizjet engine with a BPR of exactly 5. Your right that smaller drones usually use medium bypass engines with 2-4 BPR.
BTW do anyone know what engine WZ-9 is using? It's approximately RQ-4 classed if not heavier but I'm not aware of any medium-high BPR engine in the range that is sufficient to power this drone.
Even a low bypass turbofan should have much better fuel efficiency than a turbojet. But yeah a medium bypass engine would be better for a high endurance drone.
The problem with the high bypass engines is you get more drag. It worsens top speed and agility.
If you want a high bypass turbofan of that kind of power level you need some kind of exotic complex three shaft or geared turbofan engine like this I think:
The problem with the high bypass engines is you get more drag. It worsens top speed and agility.
If you want a high bypass turbofan of that kind of power level you need some kind of exotic complex three shaft or geared turbofan engine like this I think:
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