DRDO Revs Up Development of 91 kN Engine for LCA Tejas and Ghatak UCAV

Hold onto your hats, aviation aficionados, because India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is reportedly pushing the boundaries of jet engine technology with a potential 91 kilonewton (kN) powerhouse designed to propel the LCA Tejas fighter jet and Ghatak UCAV to new heights.

This ambitious project, an evolution of the existing Kaveri engine program, is set to transform India's indigenous fighter jet capabilities. A 91kN engine would catapult the Tejas and Ghatak into the league of top-tier fighter aircraft, delivering unparalleled speed, agility, and payload capacity.

While details are still under wraps, this development marks a significant leap forward in India's quest for self-reliance in military technology. The 91kN engine would rival some of the most powerful jet engines in the world, showcasing the DRDO's commitment to cutting-edge innovation.

This exciting news follows on the heels of other advancements in the Kaveri engine program, including the development of a 73kN variant with an afterburner for testing on older Tejas models and potentially powering the Ghatak UCAV.

With the potential 91kN engine, India is poised to revolutionize its aerospace industry and bolster its defense capabilities. While we eagerly await official confirmation and further details, this development signifies a major milestone for India's indigenous fighter jet program and reinforces the country's position as a rising power in aerospace technology.

 

[sanket]

Need of an hour , Now Tejas MK1A Total order is crossing 220 plus Expected few Export order so Entire Life span of an Fighter jet requires 3.5 Engine . its a Big requirement DRDO going good.

 

[Kailash]

Everything is sorted out then.. only question is "when" ??

 

[Sudha]

73kn for Tejas mk1 seriously under powered. This version of 46kn is good for UCAV.

 

[Sudha]

Everything is sorted out then.. only question is "when" ??

Sorted out? Tell me what is sorted out? DRDO has a big mouth, but performance isnt where the mouth is.

 

[Pramkumar]

Unless we get our own engine and other critical stuff we cannot win an single export order
Grippen and S80 is the example

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

India only developing ucav prototypes and it will go upto 2050. After that the ghatak ucav program will be scrapped. And we will buy uavs from iran.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

In my opinion, whole approach is wrong!!!
Developing a 46kN dry thrust engine itself is a big achievement… why not they develop a drone based on this engine??? Why r they running behind more thrust engine??
France had M88 engine having similar thrust so they developed Rafale around this engine only… imagine if they run behind an engine having more thrust then Rafale will not be flying today!!!!
F16 a single engine fighter have similar thrust what double engine Rafale offers!!!
Iran have made thousands of drones based on whatever engine they were able to develop…
DRDO/ADA/HAL can easily develop a twin engine fighter using current Kaveri engine…. When u start using desi item, refinements automatically comes with time….

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

In my opinion, whole approach is wrong!!!
Developing a 46kN dry thrust engine itself is a big achievement… why not they develop a drone based on this engine??? Why r they running behind more thrust engine??
France had M88 engine having similar thrust so they developed Rafale around this engine only… imagine if they run behind an engine having more thrust then Rafale will not be flying today!!!!
F16 a single engine fighter have similar thrust what double engine Rafale offers!!!
Iran have made thousands of drones based on whatever engine they were able to develop…
DRDO/ADA/HAL can easily develop a twin engine fighter using current Kaveri engine…. When u start using desi item, refinements automatically comes with time….

That would be the sensible approach. We need to build on whatever know-how we have achieved while simultaneously we bring them to use which will not only prevent the shortage of platforms but will save time for the next upgrades.

 

[Anant]

For now, let them please focus on using the existing Kaveri to get the Ghatak program going. Improved engines are all well and good, but if that is going to hamper existing programs, then we shouldn't do that.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

France is our dependable strategic partner, we should ink deal with them allowing Saffran to develop a 90+ KN Kavari engine for LCA & AF-MK-II as well as super Shakti engine for our medium class Helicopter/ASW and NMRH helicopters !

 

[Ankit]

DRDO - India missile program is the only achievement for DRDO and for this achievement ISRO is the real hero. Apart from this DRDO big failure.

 

[Akshat]

Unless we get our own engine and other critical stuff we cannot win an single export order
Grippen and S80 is the example

How is Gripen an example? It is one of the most successful products in export markets by countries other than Russia and US. Foreign components make no impact on exports. South Korea, Turkey, Sweden are all examples of this.

 

[Akshat]

In my opinion, whole approach is wrong!!!
Developing a 46kN dry thrust engine itself is a big achievement… why not they develop a drone based on this engine??? Why r they running behind more thrust engine??
France had M88 engine having similar thrust so they developed Rafale around this engine only… imagine if they run behind an engine having more thrust then Rafale will not be flying today!!!!
F16 a single engine fighter have similar thrust what double engine Rafale offers!!!
Iran have made thousands of drones based on whatever engine they were able to develop…
DRDO/ADA/HAL can easily develop a twin engine fighter using current Kaveri engine…. When u start using desi item, refinements automatically comes with time….

Because the 46 kN engine is not developed yet. These are just DRDO lies to buy more time and keep GoI off its back for as long as possible.

 

[Akshat]

DRDO - India missile program is the only achievement for DRDO and for this achievement ISRO is the real hero. Apart from this DRDO big failure.

How is DRDO a hero in the missile department??? Nirbhay is a big zero. All variants of Nag, except Helina, are a big zero. No cruise missile till date. Astra 2 and 3 are nowhere to be seen after over a decade of development. No Manpad. No Rudram. No ALBM. DRDO is a big zero and a colossal failure in every single department. No exceptions at all.

 

[vamkris]

Use GE414 for tejas mk1A and more than 120kN engine with the help of UK or France Safran shall be used for tejas mk2 and Amca mk1 and Amca 2
Kaveri twin engine can be planned for tejas mk1A or mk2

 

[Akshat]

Another DRDO plan to keep the jobs secure for 3 more decades.

 

[Puneet]

Even if they develop it. How will they manage to manufacture it. One or two engines in a year won't be sufficient

 

[Agent Provocateur1]

How is Gripen an example? It is one of the most successful products in export markets by countries other than Russia and US. Foreign components make no impact on exports. South Korea, Turkey, Sweden are all examples of this.

What the Swedes did is in the 1960s , they started manufacturing Pratt and Whitney engines that were rejected by USAF under licence and fixed it's issues first for the Draaken and then Viggen Fighter Jets. By doing this they cut down time and money on the project.

For the Gripen they are using GE404 ? But now the Americans know that the Swedes can do wonders. So its licence built.

That is why I am happy with the GE414 deal. If we use IITs and other premier engineering institutions, we too can do what the Swedes did. Only problem is HAL, I don't trust HAL.

 

[Agent Provocateur1]

The most expensive Jet Engine in the world that is under development for 4 decades.
I shudder, thinking about war and the idea that we have to depend on DRDO, HAL to come up with solutions to meet evolving challenges.