Russia likely equipped the Kh-101 engine with new single-crystal turbine blades

Russia has likely begun fitting Kh-101 cruise missiles with a new type of engine featuring turbine blades manufactured using single-crystal casting technology.

Facebook user Zampotekh Omelyanovich published a video showing an overview of the engine.

According to the author, a fragment of a Kh-101 missile engine manufactured in late 2025 was transferred for analysis.

Specialists are expected to examine the turbine blades to determine the manufacturing technology and establish how Russia obtained access to the relevant capabilities.

He notes that similar technologies have previously been used only by certain Western aircraft engine manufacturers, including the U.S. company General Electric and, in part, the British company Rolls-Royce.

The use of such components increases engine strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, potentially improving its performance.

The author suggested that the new engine could increase the Kh-101’s flight range to 5,500 km and allow it to carry a heavier warhead.

Information about Russia’s use of similar technologies started appearing in 2017. At the time, reports claimed they were planned for the production of small bypass turbofan engines for cruise missiles in the TRDD-50 family, including the TRDD-50A and TRDD-50AT versions used in the Kh-55, Kh-555, and Kh-101 missiles.

The main manufacturers involved were NPO Salyut and the All-Russian Institute of Aviation Materials (VIAM).

The possible introduction of a new engine may be linked to the fact that, since 2024, Russia has equipped Kh-101 cruise missiles with a dual warhead.

The total warhead mass increased from 450 kg to approximately 800 kg. Space for the additional explosive charge was created by reducing the fuel tank volume. Due to the increased weight, engineers had to find ways to improve range and speed characteristics, which may have led to the development of a new propulsion system.

In 2024, Militarnyi reported that Russia had begun using Kh-101 cruise missiles equipped with outdated Soviet R-95-300 engines.

Only some of the Kh-101 missiles used during the November 17, 2024 strike were equipped with these engines, while the missile is normally fitted with Russian TRDD-50A engines. This was the first recorded case of a modern Russian cruise missile being used with an outdated Soviet engine.