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Ukraine Unveils “Hrim-17” Jet Engine to Power Next-Gen Suicide Drones
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Ukrainian defense engineers have introduced a new pulsejet engine, the Hrim-17, designed specifically for use in lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The system, developed by the private company Nezalezhne Konstruktor’ske Byuro (Independent Design Bureau), was showcased at the Brave1 event on December 3 and is currently undergoing ground testing.
According to Militarnyi, the Hrim-17 is a pulse air-breathing jet engine optimized for compact drone platforms.
The engine measures 940 mm in length, has a diameter of 100 mm, and weighs just under 2 kilograms (1,980 grams). Despite its size, it can produce thrust from 2.5 kg up to 7 kg, with operational thrust limited to 90% of the maximum (6.3 kg) to ensure efficiency and reliability.
The engine is fueled by F100-grade gasoline, consuming approximately 6.3 liters per hour when operating at 90% thrust.
Energy consumption at full power is 48 watts, with the system drawing power from a 12V source. It is capable of continuous operation for up to 15 minutes, with a total operational life of around 3 hours.
The standard kit includes the engine itself, a launch valve, an automatic fuel system, and a ground-based ignition module. To initiate operation, users must additionally provide an air source, two 12V batteries, and a remote launch sensor.
Maximum casing temperature during operation can reach 800°C, and noise levels exceed 140 decibels, a common characteristic of pulsejet engines.
Developers note that the Hrim-17 can be adapted for a range of drone platforms, including potential use in high-speed loitering munitions, reconnaissance UAVs, or training platforms where weight, thrust-to-weight ratio, and simplicity are key considerations.
While no operational deployments have been announced, the engine’s modularity and performance parameters suggest compatibility with evolving Ukrainian UAV strategies, including long-range or one-way attack drones.
Pulsejet engines like the Hrim-17 offer cost-effective thrust solutions without the complexity of turbine engines, making them suitable for expendable or semi-autonomous drone platforms.
According to Militarnyi, the engine is still in the prototype phase but represents a step toward scalable jet-powered UAV systems within Ukraine’s growing military-industrial sector.
Earlier, Ukraine successfully used its domestically produced Sting interceptor drone to shoot down a Russian Shahed-238—a jet-powered loitering munition rebranded by Moscow as Geran-3. This marked the first confirmed drone-on-drone kill against the advanced Shahed variant, which poses a greater challenge due to its speed and low radar visibility.
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