Zulu Pods, Inc. (ZPI), a leading innovator in fluid delivery systems, announced the successful demonstration of its once-through, minimal oil delivery technology—the ZPOD—on Acutronic Turbines Inc.'s 70-pound thrust class attritable turbojet engine. Conducted at Acutronic's test facility in Austin, Texas, the engine ground test validated a double-digit percentage reduction in Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (TSFC) compared to traditional fuel-lubricated configurations.

"Building on their momentum, ZPI and Acutronic have agreed to conduct flight testing with the ZPOD later this year, a move that will advance the technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Eight."

The demonstration marks a significant milestone in ZPI's mission to increase engine performance and efficiency for expendable propulsion systems. "This test proves that the ZPOD can enhance performance while simplifying lubrication for single-use engines," said ZPI Co-Founder and CEO, Rob Sladen. "It's a game changer for the growing class of attritable and expendable platforms."

As a continuation of its work with the U.S. Navy, ZPI has been awarded the second tranche of its SBIR Phase II contract. This funding will enable joint collaboration with Acutronic on a second engine configuration, designed to support a range of national defense programs.

Building on their momentum, ZPI and Acutronic have agreed to conduct flight testing with the ZPOD later this year, a move that will advance the technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Eight. This flight campaign will further validate the ZPOD in operationally relevant conditions, cementing its viability for defense applications.

The year ahead is pivotal for Zulu Pods as the company accelerates its commercialization roadmap. In Q2 alone, ZPI is scheduled to deliver ZPODs for evaluation at seven separate customer facilities. Concurrently, the company has initiated qualification activities with multiple Department of Defense stakeholders to ensure compliance with military specifications.

"Our 2025 pipeline is a strong indicator of market demand for compact, high-efficiency oil delivery systems," said Sladen. "From decoys to loitering munitions and other expendable platforms, we're excited to help shape the future of propulsion for the modern warfighter."