Barely a month after the DRDO announced that the Tejas Mk-11 will powered by GE-414 power plant, there's some good news for the devotees of desi defence products. The Kaveri engine has finally passed the critical tests onboard IL-76 in Russia on November 3 crossing a major hurdle towards certification.
Russian sources confirmed to Tarmak007 late on Wednesday night that the tests results were extremely positive. "This is a huge sigh of relief for the Indian side as the platform had its share of problems earlier. We are waiting for the final trial parameters, but I can confirm to you that the Indian engine has finally proved all necessary test points. It's a huge technologocal breakthrough for India," a source tells.
DRDO officials are tight-lipped about the development and didn't want to comment on the historic achievement on the even of Diwali. A formal announcement is expected to be out today/soon/any moment from Delhi.
The Indian government had earlier this August had announced in Parliament that the Kaveri engine testing under simulated altitude and forward speed conditions were completed successfully in February 2010. “The Kaveri has been integrated with an Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft at Gromov Flight Research Institute in Moscow for ground and flight tests. The engine tests under simulated altitude and forward speed conditions conducted in February 2010 [were] successful. Another engine has been integrated with IL-76 aircraft at Gromov Flight Research Institute, Moscow for ground and flight test which is expected to complete by October 2010. These two major milestones would make the engine certified for flight operations," Defense Minister A.K. Antony had told the Upper House of the Parliament on August 25, 2010. He had also even spelt out the reasons for the delay, then.
Finally, GTRE scientists and engineers couldn't have asked for a better Diwali gift, considering the non-stop battering they received from all corners, for the inordinate delay in developing Kaveri for Tejas.
For an earlier report on Kaveri engine on this blog & AW, hit:
To dive deep into Kaveri project, hit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GTRE_GTX-35VS_Kaveri
UPDATE: 1
(A DRDO official press note issued at 4 pm today)
An official release shows Kaveri engine (covered) onboard an IL-76 positioned at the Gormov Flight Research Institute in Russia. Photo: DRDO
UPDATE: 1
(A DRDO official press note issued at 4 pm today)
And, a flight for Kaveri finally…
(DRDO Press Release)
The indigenously designed and developed Kaveri Engine was successfully flight tested by DRDO on Wednesday, the 03rd Nov 2010 during the Flying Test Bed (FTB) Trials at Gromov Flight Research Institute (GFRI), Moscow, Russia. The engine running right from take-off to landing, flew for a period of over one hour up to at an altitude of 6000m at a speed of 0.6 mach in its maiden flight. The engine control, engine performance and engine health during the flight were found to be excellent. With this test, Kaveri Engine has completed a major milestone of the development program. During the coming months further 50-60 test flights will be carried out to mature the engine in terms of reliability, safety and airworthiness. These trials would pave the way for further flight trials of Kaveri Engine with a fighter aircraft.
An existing IL-76 aircraft was modified as a Flying Test Bed for this trial, with Kaveri engine replacing one of the four engines of the aircraft. The modifications included instrumentation required for trials as well as integration of mechanical, electrical and fuel system. The engine was controlled by the pilot from the cockpit. A number of taxi trials were carried out with Kaveri Engine integrated with the aircraft, before this maiden flight. The engine data was recorded in the aircraft as well as transmitted to ground station by telemetry.
A team of 20 scientists from GTRE (DRDO) have been working along with GFRI for these trials. Dr Prahlada, Distinguished Scientist & Chief Controller R&D (Aeronautics & Services Interaction) briefed the press about the significance of the first flight.
A team of 20 scientists from GTRE (DRDO) have been working along with GFRI for these trials. Dr Prahlada, Distinguished Scientist & Chief Controller R&D (Aeronautics & Services Interaction) briefed the press about the significance of the first flight.
Kaveri engine is being developed for fighter aircrafts, at Gas Turbine Research Establishment, a DRDO laboratory based in Bangalore with the active support of several other DRDO labs, academic institutions and industry partners. During development phase, Kaveri engine has successfully completed various stages of development including component testing, safety tests, ground based engine tests, and endurance tests etc, both at GTRE as well as test facilities abroad.
