The North American Wave Engine Corporation (Wave Engine Corp.), a developer of advanced propulsion systems and aircraft platforms, has successfully flown its newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the Scitor-P, during the Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 25-2 event hosted by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering.
According to the company, the Scitor-P—short for “Production”—is the third model in its Scitor UAV series. The aircraft is equipped with a wave engine mounted above the fuselage, a design choice that the firm explained was made to emphasize simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and modular adaptability in line with customer needs.
Daanish Maqbool, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, noted that 2025 has already seen several successful demonstration flights. He emphasized that Wave Engine Corp. is committed to reshaping propulsion technology, particularly in areas such as counter-drone defense, which requires interceptors that can fly fast, be deployed affordably, and be produced at scale.
The enabling technology behind the Scitor-P is the J-1 wave engine. Unlike traditional turbine-based systems, wave engines generate thrust through pressure waves created by intermittent combustion within a hollow tube. This process eliminates the need for complex rotating machinery. According to the company, its proprietary approach not only delivers high-speed performance but also drastically reduces both the expense and engineering challenges associated with jet propulsion.
The T-REX demonstration marked the culmination of a strong flight-testing campaign for the summer. Wave Engine Corp. mentioned that earlier trials included operating the Scitor platform with a simulated tactical payload at the Bush Combat Development Complex, further validating the system’s operational flexibility.
By presenting its latest technology at T-REX—a key venue for showcasing new capabilities to the Department of Defense—the company underscored its growing role in next-generation aerial systems and propulsion innovation.
