HIRTH ENGINES
Hirth Engines GmbH is a German two-stroke engine manufacturer, founded 1927, producing heavy-fuel and aviation two-stroke engines primarily for UAV, light sport aircraft, and defense customers globally, via a Vienna-based sales office and regional distribution partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1927
- HeadquartersBenningen Am Neckar, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
HIRTH ENGINES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HIRTH ENGINES
- Legal name
- Hirth Engines GmbH
- Website
- https://hirthengines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1927
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Hirth Engines GmbH is a German two-stroke engine manufacturer, founded 1927, producing heavy-fuel and aviation two-stroke engines primarily for UAV, light sport aircraft, and defense customers globally, via a Vienna-based sales office and regional distribution partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HIRTH ENGINES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- UAV Propulsion Systems
- NAICS
- Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Aerospace Engines & Propulsion (IMABAMAD)
Keywords
Where HIRTH ENGINES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Benningen Am Neckar
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
HIRTH ENGINES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Two-Stroke Engine Sales: Sale of two-stroke engines to UAV manufacturers, defense contractors, and light aviation customers. Engines are sold directly through the company's sales office and through distribution partners globally.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
HIRTH ENGINES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hirth Engines GmbH manufactures two-stroke combustion engines in air-cooled and liquid-cooled variants, including heavy-fuel-capable models, for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), light sport aircraft, ultralight aircraft, para- and moto-gliders, hovercrafts, airboats, and two-stroke gokarts. Its product lines span the 4103, 4201, 4202, 3503, 3507, 2301, and 2302 engine models, sold to UAV manufacturers and defense/aerospace customers through a Vienna-based direct sales office and a global network of regional distribution partners.
Product overview
Hirth Engines is a manufacturer of innovative two-stroke engines offering a comprehensive portfolio of propulsion solutions across multiple series. The product lineup includes the 41 series (4103), 42 series (4201 heavy fuel, 4202 heavy fuel), 35 series (3503 liquid-cooled 70hp, 3507 water-cooled heavy fuel), and 23 series (2301 boxer, 2302 ultralight). The engines are designed for reliability, performance, and flexibility, serving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), light sport aircraft, para and moto-gliders, hovercrafts, airboats, and gokarts. The company has entered a strategic partnership with ePropelled to develop hybrid propulsion systems combining Hirth's two-stroke engine technology with ePropelled's electric power systems for extended endurance and fuel efficiency.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 4103 Engine Air-cooled two-stroke engine in the 41 series, designed for general aviation and unmanned system applications, sold to UAV integrators and light aviation customers.
- 4201 Engine Air-cooled two-stroke engine in the 42 series designed specifically for UAV missions, delivering reliability and performance for unmanned aerial vehicles.
- 4202 Engine Heavy fuel two-stroke engine in the 42 series, engineered to operate on heavy fuel for extended endurance UAV missions and defense applications requiring logistic-fuel flexibility.
- 3503 Engine Liquid-cooled 70hp two-stroke engine in the 35 series offering higher power output with efficient thermal management for light aviation, para- and moto-gliders, hovercrafts, airboats, and motorsports.
- 3507 Engine Water-cooled engine with heavy fuel capability in the 35 series, designed for demanding UAV applications requiring sustained high performance and operation on heavy fuel, including on the UMS SKELDAR V-200 UAV.
- 2301 Engine Air-cooled two-stroke boxer engine in the 23 series designed for light aviation devices, providing a compact and lightweight propulsion solution for UAVs and light aviation platforms.
- 2302 Engine Air-cooled two-stroke engine in the 23 series designed for ultralight aviation, delivering reliable power for light sport aircraft, para- and moto-gliders, hovercrafts, and airboats.
Companies that use HIRTH ENGINES
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
HIRTH ENGINES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
HIRTH ENGINES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ePropelledcoreStrategic partnership to develop hybrid propulsion systems for UAVs, aerospace, and defense markets. Combines Hirth's two-stroke combustion engine technology with ePropelled's electric propulsion and power management systems to create integrated hybrid solutions. Integration specifically includes Hirth's 3508HF engine with ePropelled's starter-generators, delivering fuel efficiency gains, extended flight duration, enhanced payload capacity, and lower lifecycle operating costs. Prototype demonstrations planned for showcase at UMEX in Abu Dhabi.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HIRTH ENGINES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 3W-Modellmotoren: German manufacturer of two-stroke engines for light aviation, ultralights, and UAV applications. Closest geographic and product-line peer to Hirth within Germany's aviation propulsion ecosystem.
- UAV Engines Ltd (Honeywell): UK-based specialist in heavy-fuel piston engines for unmanned aerial systems, now part of Honeywell. Directly competes with Hirth's 4202/3507/3508HF heavy-fuel engines in the tactical UAV segment.
- Rotax (BRP): Austrian-based manufacturer of 2-stroke and 4-stroke piston aircraft engines used in light sport aircraft, ultralights, and UAVs. Closest direct competitor in two-stroke aviation piston propulsion for the same European customer base.
- Orbital Corporation (Curtiss-Wright): Australian developer of OPOC two-stroke opposed-piston engines for UAVs and military applications. A direct technology and end-market peer, also acquired by a larger aerospace/defense group.
Emerging players
- PBS Group: Czech manufacturer of small turbojet and turboprop engines for UAVs and target drones. Competes with Hirth in the UAV propulsion category but with turbine rather than piston technology.
- Wright Electric: US-based electric propulsion startup focused on aviation decarbonization. Adjacent competitor and potential long-term substitute for piston engines in light aviation and small UAV categories.
- MagniX: Electric propulsion developer for aviation including UAVs and regional aircraft. Represents the electric propulsion alternative that threatens Hirth's piston-based two-stroke portfolio over time.
Broad incumbents
- Continental Aerospace Technologies: Major US-based piston aircraft engine manufacturer serving general aviation and light sport aircraft. Competes with Hirth in light aviation engines but is far larger and broader in portfolio.
- Lycoming Engines: Largest US piston aircraft engine manufacturer serving general aviation, light sport, and experimental aircraft. Competes with Hirth across overlapping light aviation segments, but at much higher scale.
- Pratt & Whitney: Global aerospace propulsion incumbent with broad military and UAV-related engine programs. While not a direct two-stroke competitor, it is a downstream integrator and competitor for defense propulsion wallet share.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HIRTH ENGINES social profiles
Digital presenceHIRTH ENGINES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HIRTH ENGINES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
HIRTH ENGINES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HIRTH ENGINES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HIRTH ENGINES
What does HIRTH ENGINES do?
Hirth Engines GmbH manufactures two-stroke combustion engines in air-cooled and liquid-cooled variants, including heavy-fuel-capable models, for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), light sport aircraft, ultralight aircraft, para- and moto-gliders, hovercrafts, airboats, and two-stroke gokarts. Its product lines span the 4103, 4201, 4202, 3503, 3507, 2301, and 2302 engine models, sold to UAV manufacturers and defense/aerospace customers through a Vienna-based direct sales office and a global network of regional distribution partners.
Is HIRTH ENGINES a public or private company?
HIRTH ENGINES is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was HIRTH ENGINES founded?
HIRTH ENGINES was founded in 1927. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is HIRTH ENGINES based?
HIRTH ENGINES is headquartered in Benningen Am Neckar, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does HIRTH ENGINES make money?
One revenue line is on record: two-Stroke Engine Sales.
Who are HIRTH ENGINES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 3W-Modellmotoren, UAV Engines Ltd (Honeywell), Rotax (BRP) and Orbital Corporation (Curtiss-Wright). Emerging players are PBS Group, Wright Electric and MagniX. Broad incumbents are Continental Aerospace Technologies, Lycoming Engines and Pratt & Whitney.
Does HIRTH ENGINES have an API?
No public API is recorded for HIRTH ENGINES.
What industry is HIRTH ENGINES in?
HIRTH ENGINES's product category is UAV Propulsion Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAD, Military Aerospace Engines & Propulsion. Its NAICS code is 336412 and its SIC code is 3724.