The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has announced a major milestone with the successful completion of the first flight test of its 3D-printed Minimalist Lightweight Micro Turbojet Engine.

The test was conducted on Tuesday in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, where the engine reached a maximum altitude of 4,000 meters, demonstrating operational reliability and stability under real flight conditions.

This engine is notable as China’s first flight-validated turbojet engine in the 160-kilogram thrust class, entirely manufactured using multi-disciplinary topology optimization and additive manufacturing (3D printing) techniques. The development team tackled critical challenges, such as topological optimization design tailored for additive manufacturing and the integrated design of components. These advancements resulted in significant structural weight reductions and marked improvements in key performance indicators.

By leveraging these innovative technologies, the engine represents a breakthrough in aviation engine design and manufacturing, filling a domestic gap in the large-scale engineering application of 3D printing technology.

The successful maiden flight of this turbojet engine lays a strong technical foundation for the future development of advanced aviation engines, marking a major step forward in China’s aerospace capabilities.