Aviation engine for logistics and cargo drones
BACH Industries is developing a 150–200 kW internal combustion engine designed for aviation: low fuel consumption, diesel and E85 ethanol, and a combustion prechamber under BACH licence. It is built for cargo drones, logistics drones and uncrewed helicopters.
The right engine for a cargo drone
Below 800 kW, a modern piston engine designed specifically for aviation outperforms a gas turbine: better efficiency at part load, and lower acquisition, operating and maintenance costs.
That is exactly the range of logistics drones and rotary-wing cargo drones, which fly for long periods at partial power. For a two-hour mission, the BACH engine targets a global mass coefficient (engine + fuel) of 0.70 kg/kW.
Diesel and E85 ethanol, instead of kerosene
Most rotary-wing drones in this category use heavy-fuel engines running on kerosene, also called jet fuel (Jet A-1, JP-5, JP-8).
The BACH engine is designed from the outset to run on E85 ethanol and on diesel, with a real-time fuel control module. It opens the way to sustainable, non-petroleum fuels for logistics drones.
Combustion prechamber under BACH licence
The BACH engine combines improved key parts with a combustion prechamber under BACH licence. Combustion starts in a small chamber, then jets of flame ignite the main chamber: faster, more stable combustion and lower fuel consumption.
The engine is produced by additive metal manufacturing for the best power-to-weight ratio and specific consumption. It is connected and ready for hybrid operation, with active noise reduction.
Engines powering today's rotary-wing drones
Public data on the engines used by the main rotary-wing drones in this category, next to the BACH engine.
| Drone | Manufacturer | Engine | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSR700 (now U070) | Airbus Helicopters, derived from the Guimbal Cabri G2 | Diesel piston engine, Thielert Centurion 2.0, 116 kW (155 hp) | Diesel, jet fuel |
| Camcopter S-100 | Schiebel | Wankel rotary engine, 41 kW (Austro AE50R); heavy-fuel version | Gasoline (standard version); Jet A-1, JP-5, JP-8 (heavy-fuel version) |
| Camcopter S-300 / S-301 | Schiebel | Heavy-fuel engine, NATO single-fuel policy | Jet A-1, JP-8, JP-5 |
| BACH engine | BACH Industries | Piston engine, 150–200 kW, combustion prechamber under BACH licence | Diesel, E85 ethanol |
Sources: Airbus, Wikipedia, Shephard, EDR Magazine (November 2026). VSR700, U070, Camcopter and Cabri are trademarks of their respective owners. BACH Industries is not affiliated with these manufacturers. Airbus · Wikipedia (VSR700) · Wikipedia (AE50R) · Shephard · EDR Magazine
BACH works with IFPEN (IFP Energies nouvelles), TEMISTh, PIPO Moteurs and Bpifrance, alongside its engineering partners.
Frequently asked questions
Which engine for a logistics or cargo drone?
Below 800 kW, a piston engine designed for aviation is more efficient than a gas turbine at part load and costs less to buy, run and maintain. The BACH engine covers 150 to 200 kW, the range of rotary-wing cargo drones up to 5.6 t.
Does the BACH engine run on kerosene?
The BACH engine is designed for diesel and E85 ethanol, not kerosene (jet fuel). Contact us to discuss your fuel requirements.
What is a combustion prechamber?
A small chamber where combustion starts before jets of flame ignite the main chamber. Combustion is faster and more stable, which reduces fuel consumption. BACH uses a prechamber under its own licence.
What is the fuel consumption of the BACH engine?
The BACH engine has a specific fuel consumption of 0.20 kg/kWh and targets a global mass coefficient (engine + fuel) of 0.70 kg/kW for a two-hour mission.
A cargo drone project?
Tell us about your drone and its mission. Our engineers will scope a powertrain that fits.
Contact us