Ge aerospace - affordable UAS power generation

This defense contract awards GE Aerospace $2.01 million by the Department of the Air Force to conduct a preliminary design review for the GE426 engine, a next-generation propulsion system purpose-built for medium-thrust autonomous combat aircraft under the Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) initiative. The work aims to mature the GE426 prototype while refining its capability, producibility, and cost to meet Air Force affordability requirements for uncrewed, AI-piloted drones that operate alongside crewed fighters. This award follows the successful completion of the engine's concept design review in August 2025.