Russia Develops Hybrid Power Unit for Air Taxis

Moscow Aviation Institute is developing a hybrid power unit designed for air taxis and heavy unmanned aerial vehicles. The technology aims to enable vertical take-off and long-distance flights without the need for a runway.

Booking an air taxi and flying to your destination across the skies of Russia may soon become a reality. The Moscow Aviation Institute is working on a hybrid power unit that combines a generator, an electric motor, and a heat engine into a single system. This setup is intended for both future air taxis and heavy drones with a payload capacity of over 500 kilograms.

The project is part of Russia’s unmanned aviation development strategy through 2030. By merging the capabilities of these three power sources, the system promises reliable vertical take-off without an airfield and the potential for long-range flights. All components will be manufactured from domestically produced parts, and the development process will use digital twin technology.

Experts say the technology could form the backbone of air taxi infrastructure, while also being valuable for cargo deliveries to remote areas, rescue missions, aerial monitoring, and agricultural applications. Major Russian aircraft manufacturers, including Yakovlev and the Ural Civil Aviation Plant, have shown interest in the project. The first prototype and its flight tests are planned for next year.