Auraturbo
Auraturbo is developing a compact high-bypass turbofan engine for European defense and security platforms, using a patented off-axis radial outflow turbine that drives the fan directly without gearboxes or concentric spools. The architecture integrates a recuperator and mixer to improve fuel efficiency and reduce infrared signature, with an optional embedded electrical machine for hybrid-electric propulsion.
- Aerospace
- Defense Tech
- Mobility & Transportation
- Hardware
Funding
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
European defense and security platforms face a growing need for small, efficient propulsion systems, but existing turbofan architectures cannot scale down effectively. High-bypass designs rely on concentric spools or reduction gearboxes that become impractical at small thrust classes, forcing designers to accept lower range, higher infrared signatures, or dependence on non-European supply chains.
Solution
Auraturbo is developing a compact high-bypass turbofan engine built around a patented off-axis radial outflow turbine that drives the fan directly, eliminating the need for concentric spools or gearboxes. This architecture opens an annular duct that houses a recuperator, which recovers exhaust heat to improve fuel efficiency, and a mixer that cools the plume as a natural byproduct of the cycle, reducing infrared signature without separate treatment. The design also supports integration of a permanent-magnet electrical machine within the engine envelope for hybrid-electric propulsion and high onboard power generation. The engine targets unmanned platforms first, then small civil aircraft, and is designed to be free of ITAR constraints for unrestricted European use.
Target Audience
Primary customers are European defense and security primes and system integrators developing unmanned aerial platforms, followed by manufacturers of small civil aircraft requiring turbofan efficiency and onboard electrical power.
Features
- Patented off-axis radial inflow/outflow turbine architecture driving the fan directly, removing the scaling limits of concentric spools and reduction gearboxes
- Recuperated thermodynamic cycle integrated into the annular duct, improving specific fuel consumption and reducing plume temperature
- Integrated mixer that cools exhaust gases as a cycle byproduct, lowering infrared signature without additional systems
- Optional permanent-magnet electrical machine embedded in the power turbine stages for hybrid-electric propulsion and high-power electrical generation
- Counter-rotating blading variant for larger thrust classes, extending efficiency and packaging benefits
- Three patent families filed in Italy (2023–2024) with European applications, covering the core architecture, hybrid-electric integration, and counter-rotating design