170-HP Motor Also Being Considered For UAV Use

A team effort to develop a new diesel powerplant has literally taken off. Diamond Aircraft recently conducted the initial test flight of that engine in a DA40 Diamond Star.

According to Diamond, the new 170-horsepower turbodiesel powerplant was made possible through a collaboration with Diamond and Austro Engine GmbH. Both companies have their headquarters in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Germany's MB-technology GmbH is also a partner in the engine's development, according to the London, Ontario planemaker.

Diamond Aircraft CEO Christian Dries and Sören Pedersen, Managing Test Pilot at DAI carried out the maiden flight together. Both state the engine showed high performance while also being economical.

Dries added through consequential implementation of MBtech developed combustion technology, in comparison to ‘normal’ engines they succeeded in lowering the overall fuel consumption by 20 percent -- while maintaining performance.

In addition to possible uses in the GA market, Diamond is also reportedly exploring making it available for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

FMI: www.diamondair.com