The progress of replacing coal, oil, and other fossil energies with new energy sources is accelerating worldwide. New energy sources and associated power systems are reconfiguring the world’s development pattern. Therefore, it is necessary to accelerate the transformation from traditional fossil-fuel to new-energy aero-engines, thus to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals and ensure aviation energy security and sustainable development of the aviation industry. This study summarizes the development values of various new-energy aviation power, including solar, electric, hydrogen, nuclear, and ammonia energy, as well as sustainable aviation fuels. It also analyzes the trends in integration of new energies with aviation power, and explores the engineering practicability and application scenarios of transformation from new energy sources to aviation power. Moreover, the development goals and priorities are proposed: promoting the coordinated development of sustainable aviation fuels and independent aero-engine products, strengthening research on electric and hydrogen aviation power technologies, promoting the application of solar aviation power, and exploring nuclear aviation power. The following development suggestions are further proposed: (1) establishing a special project for the coordinated development of new energy and aviation technologies and industries, (2) accelerating the research and application of new-energy aero-engines, (3) strengthening financial and fiscal support for the new-energy aero-engine industry, and (4) building an international cooperation ecosystem for new-energy aero-engines. These suggestions aim to comprehensively enhance the technological innovation capability and core competitiveness of the aviation industry, support the upgrading of advanced aviation equipment, and promote the continuous optimization of the industry.

Solar-powered aircraft has the advantages of prolonged high-altitude flight, operational flexibility, and zero carbon emissions, making it one of the emerging fields that the global aerospace industry prioritizes. This study investigates the current development status of solar-powered aircraft in China and abroad and summarizes the development trends of its key technologies, including advanced aerodynamic design, efficient and low-cost solar cells, high-energy-density batteries, and efficient and wide-operating-condition propulsion. Based on the energy balance and mass balance principles, this study establishes an overall performance simulation model for solar-powered aircraft, predicting the development trends of its mass, sustainable flight altitude, and load capacity. The primary development direction of solar-powered aircraft is long-endurance, high-altitude, solar-powered unmanned air vehicles, which has important application prospects in the fields of military reconnaissance, environmental monitoring, and communication relay. Based on the predictive results and key technology research, this study proposes the short-, medium-, and long-term development goals and key tasks of solar-powered aircraft. Furthermore, it proposes strategies and policy recommendations to promote the sustainable development of solar-powered aircraft from three different levels: overall idea, technological breakthroughs, and system construction.

The electric propulsion of aircraft has triggered a new wave of innovation and reform in the aviation sector. It is considered as an important move to implementing green development in aviation and addressing global environmental challenges. This study examines the research progress of the electric propulsion technology in aviation and reveals the technology gap between China and other countries, clarifying the technology challenges for developing electric aircraft in China. Four key technologies regarding electric propulsion in aviation are identified: long-life and high-energy-density batteries, electric propulsion with high efficiency and a high power-to-weight ratio, integrated management of energy, and aerodynamic configuration with a high lift-to-drag ratio. The industry characteristics and research status of the above technologies are investigated, and their future directions as well as the fundamental technical problems are clarified. Based on a performance evaluation model for electric aircraft, the influence of key technical parameters on the performance of electric aircraft are analyzed; these parameters include energy density of batteries, power-to-weight ratio and efficiency of motors, and lift-to-drag ratio of aircraft. Besides, the practicability of applying full electric propulsion on aircraft for urban air transport, commuter transport, and regional use are evaluated. By cconsidering the current status and future development of key components such as high-energy-density storage batteries and high-performance propulsion systems, China should leverage its technological accumulation in the renewable energy industry and its advanced industrial foundation to establish a strategic plan for the development of electric aircraft oriented at urban air transport, commuter transport, and regional use, gradually extending the application of electric propulsion in civil aviation.

The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has three value attributes: environmental protection, energy transformation, and industrial layout optimization, and it is a key development area for aviation environmental governance internationally. China's SAF industry started relatively late, lacks independent technologies, and has an immature business model. It is currently in a critical period of transitioning from industrial demonstration to commercial application. Therefore, exploring the independent development of the SAF industry is crucial for promoting the green development of the civil aviation industry. This study identifies the various elements and their inherent connections that contribute to the development of the SAF industry and elucidates the environmental, energy, and economic values of the industry. Moreover, it sorts out the development pattern of the international SAF industry from two aspects: policy support and technological development progress, and summarizes the scale and mode, technology and cost, and policy mechanism of China's SAF industry. Furthermore, the study clarifies the development ideas and technology application plans of the industry and proposes the following development suggestions: (1) issuing industry regulatory frameworks to improve industry standards and norms, (2) increasing financial support by expanding tax incentives, and (3) strengthening technological innovation while exploring new business models. The study is expected to provide references for the implementation of the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goals in China's civil aviation industry, as well as for the planning, technology research and development, and commercial application of the SAF industry, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the SAF industry.

Special unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are UAVs designed, modified, or equipped with special equipment to satisfy special task requirements in fields such as military defense, emergency rescue, and special industries. They have high maneuverability, strong adaptability, and integrated mission capabilities, and play a key role in national construction and national defense security. This study analyzes the current research status and trends of special UAVs in China and abroad from two aspects: traditional and innovative configurations. Subsequently, it identifies the requirements for typical task capabilities and challenges faced by special UAVs in fields of military defense, emergency rescue, and special industries. On this basis, it outlines a special UAV technology system that comprises special platforms, intelligent control, and support systems, and elaborates on the key technologies involved in these three parts. Furthermore, the study proposes suggestions for the development of special UAV technologies and equipment in China from the aspects of overall planning and future research directions. This aims to promote the deep integration of special UAVs in the modernization of national defense and the high-quality economic and social development.

The low-altitude economy is a new productivity booster and a strategic emerging industry with broad development prospects. Low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as superior platforms for diversified technological equipment, are poised to become the backbone of this economic sector through their high-performance and intelligent capabilities. This study correlates the modal, flight, and autonomous capabilities of low-altitude UAVs with their structural materials and flight control systems, positioning and navigation technologies, and autonomous intelligence systems. Through in-depth analysis of the current status and research trends across these three domains, the study proposes future technical directions focusing on bionic configurations, composite materials, multi-source fusion positioning, and hybrid intelligent algorithms. To advance the innovative development of low-altitude UAV technologies, the research recommends four strategic measures: (1) strengthening policy guidance and infrastructure development, (2) promoting technological innovation and optimizing industrial layout, (3) expanding application scenarios through demonstration projects, and (4) establishing comprehensive security protection systems. These initiatives aim to facilitate the high-quality development of China's UAV industry and low-altitude economy.