Beehive Industries has successfully tested a compact jet engine designed to power smaller US military drones and munitions. The 100-pound-force (lbf) Frenzy 6 prototype completed its first engine test in September, advancing the company’s effort to develop affordable propulsion systems for the US military.The test marks an important step toward a potential flight demonstration in 2027. Beehive developed the prototype in just four months after finalizing its requirements with the US Air Force. The company now plans to expand testing before integrating the engine into a flight vehicle.Smaller engine, scalable powerFrenzy 6 belongs to Beehive’s growing family of small jet engines. Its 100-lbf thrust rating places it below the company’s larger 200-lbf Frenzy 8 engine. Both designs target military platforms that need compact propulsion without the cost of conventional aircraft engines.The smaller engine also draws on engineering experience from Frenzy 8. Beehive applied shared design principles and development lessons to accelerate the new prototype. However, Frenzy 6 introduces additional technology intended to keep manufacturing costs competitive.Initial testing took place at Beehive’s Colorado headquarters on September 23. Engineers evaluated the prototype’s ability to start reliably and maintain stable operation. The engine also met the initial performance objectives during the test campaign.Beehive CTO David Kimball said experience with Frenzy 8 helped shorten the development cycle. He also pointed to the larger engine’s performance and high-altitude starting capabilities. The company expects Frenzy 6 to inherit some of those advantages.Additive manufacturing drives developmentA major part of Beehive’s development strategy involves additive manufacturing. The approach allows engineers to produce complex engine components through advanced manufacturing processes. It also offers opportunities to reduce production costs and shorten development timelines.Kimball said the company’s experience with Frenzy 8 helped accelerate Frenzy 6 development. He described the four-month journey from finalized requirements to engine testing as evidence of its manufacturing approach.Beehive secured a $29.7 million US Air Force contract in April. The award supports development of its wider Frenzy engine family. Both engines target military applications where production volume and affordability matter.The company is also preparing its manufacturing infrastructure for larger orders. Its announced expansion plans target annual production capacity exceeding 8,000 jet engines. Investments include additive manufacturing equipment, precision machining capabilities, and additional production facilities.Flight demonstration targeted for 2027Frenzy 6 now enters another round of engine testing. Beehive plans to shift toward vehicle integration once the prototype advances through further evaluations.That work will determine how the engine performs within an operational platform. The company is targeting a flight demonstration in 2027.Beehive Chief Product Officer Gordie Follin said Frenzy 6 packages Frenzy 8’s core capabilities into a smaller design. The engine aims to support smaller munitions and unmanned aircraft that need affordable propulsion.The broader objective involves supplying the US defense sector with engines that manufacturers can produce at scale. Beehive’s planned 8,000-unit annual capacity reflects the production ambitions behind that strategy. Frenzy 6’s upcoming integration work will provide the next indication of how quickly the design can move toward flight.