Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 11, 2026

DeltaHawk DH180

The DH180 is V4 piston diesel aircraft engine developed for aircraft applications by DeltaHawk of Racine, Wisconsin. The engine was type certified on April 7, 2023.

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Jul 11, 2026
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DH180
TypeLiquid-cooled V-four diesel piston aircraft engine
National originUnited States
ManufacturerDeltaHawk Engines, Inc.
First run1997
Major applicationsCirrus SR20

The DH180 is V4 piston diesel aircraft engine developed for aircraft applications by DeltaHawk of Racine, Wisconsin. The engine was type certified on April 7, 2023.1

Design

The design is a four-cylinder, two-stroke, piston diesel engine, in an inverted-V configuration, with turbocharging and supercharging, mechanical fuel injection, liquid cooling, direct drive. It can run on Jet-A or sustainable aviation fuel. The manufacturer claims that it has "40 percent fewer moving parts than other engines in its category."12

Development

In 2014, a DH180 was installed and demonstrated at the EAA Airventure airshow on a Cirrus SR20. A retrofit kit is planned for the SR20.3

The engine received its type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration on April 7, 2023, with first customer deliveries planned for 2024.124

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected the engine for their Subsonic Single Aft Engine Aircraft scale flight test vehicle.4

Variants

DHK180
Certified version, 180 hp (134 kW)124

Applications

Specifications (DHK180)

Data from TCDS,1 AVweb2 and manufacturer6

General characteristics

  • Type: V4, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, piston, diesel aircraft engine
  • Bore: 4 in (10 cm)
  • Stroke: 4 in (10 cm)
  • Displacement: 202 cu in (3 L)
  • Length: 33 in (84 cm)
  • Width: 24 in (61 cm)
  • Height: 22 in (56 cm)
  • Dry weight: 357 lb (161.9 kg)

Components

  • Supercharger: twin screw
  • Turbocharger: yes
  • Fuel system: mechanical injection, mechanical gear pump, one injection pump per cylinder
  • Fuel type: certifies for Jet-A, Jet A-1, SAF; will also burn JP5, JP8, D1, D2, JP-8-100, F-24,
  • Oil system: dry sump, external mechanical gear pump
  • Cooling system: liquid

Performance

  • Power output: 180 hp (134 kW) at 2600 rpm, five minutes maximum for take-off; 135 hp (101 kW) at 2200 rpm, continuous
  • Compression ratio: 20.1:1
  • Fuel consumption: 7.3 gal/hr (27.6 L/hr)at 135 HP Economy Cruise, 10.8 gal/hr (40.9 L/hr) at 180 hp
  • Specific fuel consumption: 0.054 US gal/hp/h (0.27 L/kW/h)
  • Power-to-weight ratio: 0.50 hp/lb
See also

See also

References

References

  1. Federal Aviation Administration (April 7, 2023). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. E00022CH". Retrieved July 25, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. O'Connor, Kate (May 18, 2023). "DeltaHawk DHK180 Receives FAA Certification". AVweb. Retrieved May 19, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. Jim Moore (March 2015). "Diesels on the cusp". AOPA Pilot: 87.
  4. "Jet-Fueled Piston Engine Certified". Canadian Aviator. May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. Cook, Marc (August 7, 2023). "Bearhawk Makes DeltaHawk An Option". AVweb. Retrieved August 8, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. DeltaHawk. "Engines". deltahawk.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
External links