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.

 

[Pink Panther]

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

it will take 15 years for us to get the first Rafale, even if we order tomorrow, so by that time we can manufacture enough engines.

 

[Pink Panther]

India needs to continue developing and improving the Kaveri engine. We have certified the engine to produce about 50kn of thrust and it will definitely be used on the stealth UCAV Ghatak drone that's under development. We need to increase the thrust level and develop a afterburner before we can use it on the Tejas jets but we can't keep relying on foreign expensive imports even if we do get some partial technology transferred to us.

We are also developing the Kaveri Marine engine which has been showing good progress and it can power our small to medium ships. We need to invest more on developing critical engines for tanks, jets, ships etc. This is a area where we are weak at but it's a critical area where we need to become indigenous in.

same thrust as Rafale’s SNECMA M-88, all we need is a good afterburner and some improvements before we can fit them in Tejas.

 

[Pink Panther]

The Rafale also has two engines. You do realise that, right? That would be impossible for the Tejas Mk 1A, and insufficient for the TEDBF.

if the after burner adds 40KN, that would be more than sufficient for TEDBF, remember, Rafale’s SNECMA M-88 also produce 50KN dry thrust and 25KN wet thrust.

 

[Sandeep]

same thrust as Rafale’s SNECMA M-88, all we need is a good afterburner and some improvements before we can fit them in Tejas.

Yes we just need to increase the amount of thrust it gives in the core and after installing a afterburner we can even use these when it’s time for a engine swap after the current F404 engines finish its life expiry date on the Tejas MK1A jets.

Also we are developing the Kaveri Marine engine which is showing a lot of good progress and in future we could use them for our small to medium size ships. Developing indigenous engines for ships, tanks, missiles and jets is where we have made no real progress other than manufacturing it under a license but it doesn’t make us self reliant which is essential if we want to be a true supper power. To become that we need to be able to develop and manufacture 100% of the engines indigenously and all military weapons and technology.

 

[Sandeep]

When did Russia even say that? I repeat, no one has ever said that Kaveri works. No one at all.

Go on Google and type it in and you will see the links where it’s been confirmed and certified.