Microturbo TRS 18

The TRS 18 was originally designed for self-launching motor gliders but was adapted to power conventional ultralight aircraft and unmanned vehicles (RPV). It was originally designed and developed by Sermel, a competitor company to Microturbo which the latter took over in 1971. It is a simple, low thrust, reverse flow single shaft engine with a centrifugal compressor and axial turbine. It is built in three modules: an intake section containing starter and lubrication systems; a centre section with compressor and turbine on ball bearings; and an aft section with the folded combustion chambers and tail-pipe. It gained its US Federal Aviation Administration type certificate in May 1976. ==Variants==

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85 ;TRS 18-046:Production version, primarily intended for manned applications with full self start provision, oil lubrication and temperature and pressure transducers. ;TRS 18-056: Cut down gas generator or core engine version, fuel lubricated and only 62% the weight of the 18-046 version but the same thrust; intended for RPVs. ;TRS 18-075: Intended respectively for the Flight Refuelling ASAT target drone. Includes an engine driven alternator and fuel and oil lubrication pumps. Dry weight as 18-046. Take-off thrust increased to 1.15 kN (260 lb st) and maximum continuous thrust to 1.10 kN (247 lb st). ;TRS 18-076: Intended for the Meteor-Mirach 100. Includes an engine driven alternator and fuel and oil lubrication pumps. Dry weight as 18-046. Take-off thrust increased to 1.15 kN (260 lb st) and maximum continuous thrust to 1.10 kN (247 lb st). ==Applications==

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85 Manned • Bede BD-5J • Caproni Vizzola A-21SJ • Chagnes Microstar (version of Rutan VariViggen) • EFF Prometheus 19 • EFF Prometheus 12 • Microjet 200 • NASA AD-1 slew wing Unmanned • Flight Refuelling ASAT • France-engins Mitsoubac • Meteor-Mirach 100 ==Specifications (TRS 18-046) ==