Argive, a UK-based microturbine and propulsion company owned by materials engineering firm Alloyed Ltd, has announced that its newly developed A300 microturbine will be used in MGI Engineering’s SkyShark drone. The drone, which is entirely UK-developed, is designed for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), strike, and decoy missions in GPS-denied or contested environments.
Argive’s propulsion unit is manufactured using additive processes and has been designed to reduce component count by a factor of four compared to conventional turbines. This reduction enables lighter and more compact power systems with fewer maintenance requirements. According to Argive, the engine was developed for high-performance drone platforms where weight, efficiency, and packaging constraints are critical. SkyShark is intended to operate independently and benefit from this compact, fuel-efficient propulsion system.
The microturbine is produced using Alloyed’s ABD-900AM, a proprietary nickel superalloy that allows for stronger and more complex hot-section components. This contributes to improved thermal performance and reduced overall mass. “Offering world-class performance at a drastically reduced cost, the A300 is evidence of the power of the additive manufacturing process to develop and produce engines at speed,” said Rob Joles, Commercial Director at Argive. “Additive manufacturing enables the integration of complex, integrated components that enhance efficiency and reliability while reducing size and maintenance needs—critical for high-performance drone missions.”
Mike Gascoyne, CEO of MGI Engineering, stated: “Integrating the world-leading A300 gas microturbine into SkyShark marks a significant leap in performance and capability. Its compact, lightweight design and exceptional fuel efficiency give us extended range, higher payload capacity, and the reliability our customers expect.” MGI Engineering is a UK-based advanced engineering company focused on drones and autonomous vehicle technologies, with expertise originating from Formula 1, motorsport, and aerospace sectors.
The A300’s digital engine architecture allows for rapid adaptation to customer-specific performance targets in terms of thrust, cruise efficiency, and engine dimensions. Argive also emphasized that the turbine’s ancillary components are supported by nearshore and onshore supply chains, helping to mitigate sourcing risks and reduce lead times for deployme
Additive Manufacturing for Engines in Aerospace and Defense
China’s aerospace sector has recently demonstrated the viability of fully 3D printed propulsion systems in flight, with the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) completing a test of a 160-kilogram thrust-class turbojet engine built entirely through additive manufacturing. The digitally designed engine employed multi-disciplinary topology optimization to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity—factors that have historically challenged China’s ability to domesticate advanced jet engine technologies. While the test confirmed airworthiness at 4,000 meters, scaling production remains a hurdle, with high-temperature material consistency, quality control, and certification processes still limiting broader deployment.
In the U.S., Cummings Aerospace recently advanced the deployment of 3D printed propulsion in loitering munitions, with its Hellhound S3 unmanned system completing a GPS-guided mission during the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment 2025. The turbojet-powered drone, manufactured with 3D printing and commercial off-the-shelf components, demonstrated modular payload capability and tactical readiness in a field environment. As part of the Pentagon’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program, the S3 illustrates how additive manufacturing is enabling lightweight, mission-adaptable systems with rapid deployment cycles, lower costs, and reduced logistical burden.
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Featured photo shows two SkyShark drones equipped with Argive’s A300 gas microturbines during testing. Photo via Argive.
