Mobile engine test station for preparation and operation of miniature turbine jet engines for flying aerial targets

The work presents description and operation of the mobile engine test station, designed for the miniature turbine jet engines with a maximum trust below 200 N. The engine test bed allows us to monitor the condition of the engine used to drive remotely controlled flying aerial targets or military unmanned aircraft. According to military (Department of Defence) requirements, the designed engine test station is mobile, it can be used in military battlefield conditions and it meets safety precautions and military transport requirements. The reason of the engine investigations was the shortage and lack of information on the engine capability and suitability to work in the field conditions, and first of all on its limitations. The designed engine test station successfully completed tests in laboratory as well as in military field conditions and nowadays it is an integrated part of the Aerial Flying Target System called the ZOCP-JE2 that is designated for the engine’s monitoring and checking before the flight. Keywords: life cycle monitoring, miniature turbine jet engines, diagnostic procedure