Russia's Saturn aircraft engine manufacturer is developing a new generation of small engines for air-launched cruise missiles, the United Engine Corporation (UEC) said Thursday.

It said the advantages of the 36MT engine under development for air-launched cruise missiles include low specific fuel consumption, high specific thrust, resilience and digital control system.

"At present, Saturn is working on improving the performance of existing small-size gas turbine engines (GTE) and the development of a family of small new generation GTEs," UEC said in a statement.