ARC: Micro Turbine Generator
Power your machine with our ultra-light, diesel-fueled 10kWe turbo generator.
The ARC micro turbine generator runs on all heavy fuels including diesel, biodiesel, Jet-A, and kerosene. The generator is available as a fully enclosed unit weighing 10.7kg (24lb) or as a lightweight "core-only" version at just 7.7kg (17lb), ideal for aircraft integration. The standard (LV) unit outputs DC voltage in the range of 25-75VDC but we can customize it to meet any DC requirements.
Choose the right voltage:
Low Voltage
Our standard generator features an off-the-shelf alternator and delivers an optimal output of 65 VDC at 150 A within the 15 – 75 VDC range. Perfect for 12S battery systems and other low-voltage, high-current applications.
Medium Voltage
Custom-wound medium voltage model with an optimal output of 100 VDC at 100 A within the 25 – 120 VDC operating range. An excellent balance of voltage and current, particularly suited for the recharging of 24S batteries.
High Voltage
Premium custom high-voltage model delivering an optimal output of 650 VDC at 15 A in the 150 – 750 VDC range. Ideal for high-voltage DC battery charging, long-distance DC power transmission, and industrial equipment.
Choose frame type:
Standard (S) – Fully Enclosed
Rugged and fully enclosed generator with integrated cooling and protection. Ready for immediate installation in most environments.
Mass: 23.6 lb (10.7 kg)
Dimensions: 20 × 11 × 7 in (510 × 270 × 168 mm)
Aircraft (A) – Open Frame
Lightweight open-frame design with no enclosure or protection, optimized for direct integration into an existing aircraft or vehicle.
Mass: 17.0 lb (7.7 kg)
Dimensions: 19 × 10 × 6 in (483 × 254 × 152 mm)
Micro Turbine Generator Applications
Range Extension
Extend the range of drones, robots, ground vehicles, or sea vessels with the ARC generator. This compact diesel range extender recharges large lithium batteries on the go, offering a lightweight solution for continuous operation without heavy battery packs.
Engine Start-up
Power up large diesel engines and turbines with ease using the ARC micro turbine generator. This lightweight auxiliary power unit (APU) delivers a significant burst of power, making it ideal for starting heavy machinery and vehicles efficiently.
Emergency Power
When natural disasters disrupt the electrical grid, the ARC micro turbine generator provides reliable emergency power. Portable and lightweight, a single person can carry two ARC units, delivering critical power where large equipment can’t reach.
Key Design Features
Compact
The ARC micro turbine generator is ultra-compact, comparable to a standard toolbox and weighing only 25lb (11kg). Easily portable by hand, the ARC arrives fully assembled, ready for immediate use. Connect it to an existing fuel tank or opt for FusionFlight’s custom fuel tank solution for seamless integration.
Modular
Boost power output by connecting multiple ARC units in parallel, thanks to its block-like form-factor. FusionFlight offers customizable exhaust and inlet systems for diverse applications. Flexible mounting options allow the ARC micro turbine generator to be installed precisely where needed.
Versatile
The ARC micro turbine generator supports a range of heavy fuels, including Diesel, Kerosene, and Jet-A. Equipped with a built-in startup battery and self-recharge circuitry, it offers flexible integration. Chose the right ARC unit for you: low-voltage output (15v-75v) or high-voltage output (150V-750V).
"ARC is a toolbox-sized portable generator with enough juice to power an entire house."
Advantages over Piston-based Generators
Size and Weight
The ARC micro generator is more than 10-times lighter and 4-times smaller than a piston-based generator of the same power-output.
Low Vibration
Piston-based engines are prone to vibrations. At full throttle, the ARC is as solid as a brick ideal for applications requiring minimum vibration.
Robust
The centrifugal compressor within the ARC allows the turbine to generate consistent power when operating in different environments and altitudes.
Technical Overview
Precision Microturbine
At the core of the ARC generator is a tiny jet engine about the size of a soda can. It spins incredibly fast—up to 140,000 times per minute to produce a lot of power. A precision gearbox further slows things down for to ensure reliable operation.
Advanced Electronics
The electronics feature a dual-layer computer system with a dedicated turbine computer controlled by a higher-level computer. Plus, the built-in battery recharges itself while the device is on, so you can start it up many times as need be without worry.
Fully Customizable Controller
The software comes pre-loaded and ready to go straight from the factory — so no setup is needed. For those who need more customization, the easy-to-configure firmware works perfectly with the Arduino IDE, much like a typical IoT (Internet-of-Things) Gadget.
Setup Guide
Quickly install the ARC system as a standalone unit or integrate it into your existing setup for dependable energy.
Mount the Unit
Position the compact generator on a flat surface or secure it within your system’s frame. Its vibration-free design ensures easy installation with flexible mounting options.
Connect Lines
Link two electrical wires (+/-) to your load and two fuel lines (supply/return) to a fuel tank. The integrated auto-priming feature simplifies setup for initial operation.
Activate the System
Flip the switch on the included remote control to activate the power system. The ARC will perform an auto-start procedure, after which you can select Manual or Auto mode depending on the firmware.
Operation Modes
Easily switch between Manual and Auto modes via firmware updates to suit your power requirements.
Manual Mode
Adjust the voltage output manually using the control knob, and the ARC system maintains desired voltage output under diverse load conditions.
Auto Mode
The ARC system automatically adjusts to a preset voltage and consistently delivers power at this level for reliable operation.
Case Study: Tripling Drone Endurance with ARC Hybrid Propulsion
Hybrid Propulsion Advantage
To demonstrate the capability of the FusionFlight ARC micro turbine generator, we use the DJI FlyCart 30 as a real-world example. We consider swapping its original battery system for an ARC generator plus fuel tank combo while maintaining identical takeoff weight and full compatibility with the drone's voltage and current demands.
Why 3.6× endurance? Power required to fly scales with aircraft weight. Traditional LiPo batteries remain heavy dead weight for the entire mission. The ARC hybrid system burns diesel fuel and continuously sheds weight. Diesel fuel has a significantly higher specific energy density than a LiPo battery and when combined with dynamic weight reduction, the resulting system delivers a big boost in flight time.
LiPo Drone Battery Flight Time
Airframe + motors + avionics + systems: 60 kg
Dual DJI DB2000 batteries: 23 kg
Cargo payload: 12 kg
Total takeoff weight: 95 kg
The battery pack provides 3,969 Wh at 52 VDC. Accounting for DJI safety reserve and auto-land threshold, usable energy is 3,255 Wh. Battery weight remains constant at 23 kg, so the drone continuously requires 7,937 Watts to hover at 95 kg. This results in a maximum flight time of exactly 25 Minutes.
Hybrid Drone Generator Flight Time
Airframe + motors + avionics + systems: 60 kg
ARC-A generator + buffer battery: 8 kg
Diesel fuel (5 gallons): 15 kg
Cargo payload: 12 kg
Total takeoff weight: 95 kg
Using 14 kg of usable diesel fuel (1 kg reserve) at 6% generator efficiency delivers 10,080 Wh of electrical energy. As fuel burns and weight drops from 95 kg to 81 kg, average power demand falls to 6,720 Watts. This enables exactly 90 Minutes of flight time — 3.6× longer than the LiPo system.