Aero Engine of Corp. Of China (AECC) is developing a small turboprop engine it believes can offer a lower-cost alternative to high-performance piston engines used across light aircraft and drone sectors. The engine, called the AEP20, is being designed at the AECC Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute in Zhuzhou and is drawing strong early interest from domestic manufacturers, the company said.
The AEP20 produces about 320 shaft horsepower and is scheduled to fly for the first time at the end of 2026 on a drone test platform. AECC says the engine is aimed at both manned utility aircraft and medium to large unmanned cargo drones, two segments that have grown rapidly in China as demand for short-haul air transport and automated logistics continues to rise.
Speaking at AERO Asia 2025 in Zhuhai, project manager Xie Li said multiple aircraft makers have contacted the institute to discuss purchase plans. He said the AEP20 is attracting attention because it offers a step up in capability while keeping operating costs competitive with piston engines.
According to AECC, the AEP20 weighs one-third as much as a comparable gasoline piston engine and is designed to last about twice as long. Lower weight allows more payload or fuel, while longer service life reduces replacement and overhaul cycles. AECC is positioning these advantages as a way for operators to improve carrying capacity, extend aircraft life and generate better returns.
The AEP20 is expected to sell for about $170,000, roughly twice the price of a typical high-performance piston engine but well below the cost of Western turboprops in the same power class. AECC believes the engine’s longer lifespan and lighter weight will help bring its hourly operating cost close to piston-engine levels, while giving operators the performance and reliability of a turbine.
The program secured its first major commitment during the Zhuhai show. Yitong UAV System, a private drone manufacturer based in Yantai, placed an intent order valued at 700 million yuan (about $100 million) for several hundred AEP20 engines. The company said it plans to equip its TP1000 cargo drone with the new turboprop.
The TP1000, which made its debut flight in March, has a maximum takeoff weight of 3.3 metric tons, carries up to one ton of payload and offers a maximum range of about 1,000 kilometers when fully loaded. It has a seven-cubic-meter cargo bay, placing it in a fast-growing class of unmanned freighters aimed at regional logistics.
AERO Asia 2025, being held November 27-30, 2025, features 380 companies from 22 countries and regions, with 174 aircraft on display. The show highlights general aviation and China’s expanding low-altitude economy, a market AECC hopes will help drive adoption of the AEP20 as it moves toward flight testing next year.
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