Defence Secy inaugurates new design and test facility for Aero Engine R&D at HAL
Bengaluru: Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane on Friday inaugurated a new design and test facility at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Aero Engine Research and Development Centre (AERDC) here.
The AERDC is currently involved in the design and development of several new engines including two strategic engines — Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) of 25 kN (kilonewtons) thrust for powering trainers, UAVs, twin-engine small fighter aircraft or regional jets, and Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) of 1200 kN thrust for powering light and medium weight helicopters (3.5 to 6.5 tonnes in single/twin-engine configuration).
The new state-of-the-art facility houses special machines, advanced setups leveraging on computational tools, an in-house fabrication facility, and two test beds for testing HTFE-25 and one testbed each for testing HTSE-1200 and upcoming JV engine for Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) to be co-developed by Safran, France and HAL, the company said in a release.
Thrusting on the role of unmanned aircraft in future warfare, he encouraged HAL to collaborate with other private companies to develop new platforms. “HAL is the largest Defence PSU in India and I want it to become the top ten companies in the world,” he added. He looked at the manufacturing range of various engines and test beds. He also paid a visit to HAL’s Aerospace Division.
Speaking on the occasion, HAL’s CMD (Addl. Charge) CB Ananthakrishnan said, “rhe development of this facility marks a key milestone in HAL’s growth trajectory. It is a testimony of HAL’s commitment towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in aero-engine design and development.” The new facility spanning over 10,000 sq. meters has been established under the modernization plan.
HAL’s Director (Engg, R&D) Dr DK Sunil outlined the design perspectives of HAL’s R&D initiatives.
The AERDC is currently involved in the design and development of several new engines including two strategic engines — Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) of 25 kN thrust for powering trainers, UAV’s, twin engine small fighter aircraft or regional jets and Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) of 1200 kN thrust for powering light and medium weight helicopters (3.5 to 6.5 tonnes in single/ twin engine configuration).
The new state-of-the-art facility houses special machines, advanced setups leveraging on computational tools, in-house fabrication facility and two test beds for testing HTFE-25 and one testbed each for testing HTSE-1200 and upcoming JV engine for IMRH to be co-developed by Safran, France and HAL.
In addition, the newly developed facility has setups for testing Air producer of Jaguar, Gas Turbine Starter Unit (GTSU) -110 M2 and 127E of LCA, Auxiliary Power Units of IMRH and AMCA, Gas Turbine Electrical Generator (GTEG) -60 for An-32 aircraft. Setups to carry out various critical tests for engine components and LRUs have also been established within the new facility.
The Centre, established in the 1960s, holds the unique distinction of being the only design house that has developed test beds for engines of both Western and Russian origin. The Centre has successfully developed & certified PTAE-7 engine, the first indigenous turbojet engine of India powering Lakshya (Unmanned Aircraft), Gas Turbine Electrical Generator GTEG-60 for starting An-32 aircraft, Air starter ATS 37 & Air producer for starting Adour-Mk 804E/811 on Jaguar Aircraft and Shakti engine for powering ALH to support Ad804/811 engine of Jaguar aircraft.
Senior officials from HAL, IAF, GTRE. ADA, NAL, CEMILAC and ADE were present on the occasion.
