On April 29, 2015 the dream that a medium and large unmanned aerial vehicle with its engine made by the Chinese became a reality after the successful test flight of the Rainbow 3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which was equipped with the light-duty TD0 engineering prototype engine. The engine was developed with the cooperation of both Tianjin University (TJU) and Chongqing Zongshen Power Machinery Company Limited in China. The project was financed by the Tianjin Science and Technology Commission.

 

TJU’s light-duty aero-engine TD0 engineering prototype is a piston-type gasoline engine whose comprehensive performance has reached the characteristics of similar UAV engines produced internationally. Aimed at the requirements of downsizing, high reliability required by the applicable airworthiness of UAV, and light-duty aircraft engines, the TD0 engineering prototype has met by a series of engineering designs, the power requirements of UAV and the light-duty aircraft for general purpose from 50 kW to 150 kW. The design goals of downsizing, and high intensity have been met by the application of the combined crankshaft technology. Following the electric control and multistage turbo charging technologies, the TD0 prototype engine and its subsequent products have achieved the UAV flying functions of high altitudes, and long-endurance in the future.　

 

The TD0 engineering prototype engine was successfully developed in January, 2015, and the first successful bench test of the ignition of the engine was achieved in March, 2015 in the lab of the Tianjin Internal Combustion Engine Research Institute at Tianjin University. The test results showed that the performance of the TD0 prototype engine fully met the technical requirements. After the following tests and technical analysis, the test flight of "Rainbow 3" UAV, made by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, equipped with the TD0 engineering prototype engine was successful on April 29, 2015. On May 4, Chongqing Zongshen Power Machinery Company Limited announced the successful test flight of the new engine.

 

During the university’s 120 years of existence, Tianjin University has had a long history with the development of the Chinese aerospace industry. Tianjin University set up an aviation engineering team as early as 1935, and established an independent aviation department at the end of 1938. Academicians such as Professors Wu Ziliang and Gao Zhentong, and other aerospace intellectuals were educated at TJU which was also the birthplace of China’s first aircraft engine. The model is still on display at the History Museum at TJU.