US Air Force’s next-gen combat drones to get GE426 engines for enhanced performance

GE Aerospace won a new U.S. Air Force award to keep developing the GE426 propulsion system.

The engine is moving into preliminary design review under the Air Force’s Autonomous Collaborative Platform effort.

GE426 is meant for medium-thrust uncrewed aircraft that could fly alongside piloted fighters.

The program is part of broader military engine work GE is pursuing with Kratos, including GEK800 and GEK1500.