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A micro air vehicle is propelled by a bipropellant micro engine supplied with hydrogen peroxide and a hydrocarbon fuel. The hydrogen peroxide is decomposed to produce steam and oxygen at high temperature and the hydrocarbon fuel is burnt within a combustion chamber with oxygen produced from such dec

A micro air vehicle is propelled by a bipropellant micro engine supplied with hydrogen peroxide and a hydrocarbon fuel. The hydrogen peroxide is decomposed to produce steam and oxygen at high temperature and the hydrocarbon fuel is burnt within a combustion chamber with oxygen produced from such decomposition. Products of such decomposition and combustion are exited through a nozzle to produce thrust. In a preferred embodiment there is also a ducted turbofan located downstream of the nozzle exit.

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1. A thrust-producing micro engine comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide and a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a decomposition region for decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and a combustion region for combustion of hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen produced from such decomposition; a nozzle through which,

1. A thrust-producing micro engine comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide and a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a decomposition region for decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and a combustion region for combustion of hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen produced from such decomposition; a nozzle through which, in use, products of such decomposition and combustion flow from said combustion region; and a duct surrounding the exit from said nozzle through which, in use, air is drawn in consequence of such flow. 2. A micro engine according to claim 1 comprising a turbine arranged to be driven by the flow of products from said nozzle and a fan arranged to be driven by said turbine to draw air through said duct. 3. A micro air vehicle equipped with thrust-producing engine comprising: a source of hydrogen peroxide and a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a decomposition region for decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and a combustion region for combustion of hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen produced from such decomposition; a nozzle through which, in use, products of such decomposition and combustion flow from said combustion region; and a duct surrounding the exit from said nozzle through which, in use, air is drawn in consequence of such flow. 4. A micro air vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said engine comprises a turbine arranged to be driven by the flow of products from said nozzle and a fan arranged to be driven by said turbine to draw air through said duct. 5. A method of generating thrust for propelling a micro air vehicle comprising the steps of decomposing hydrogen peroxide, combusting a hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen produced from such decomposition, causing products of such decomposition and combustion to flow through a nozzle, and drawing air through a duct surrounding the exit from said nozzle in consequence of such flow. 6. A method of generating thrust for propelling a micro air vehicle according to claim 5 which comprises driving a turbine by the flow of products from said nozzle and driving a fan by said turbine to draw air through said duct.