GTRE Pioneers Air-Launch Adaptation of Manik Engine, Enhancing Indigenous Propulsion Tech for Subsonic Missiles and UAVs

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a leading research and development organization within India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has initiated a groundbreaking project to modify its Small Turbo Fan Engine (STFE) for air-launch capabilities.

The STFE, known as the Manik engine, is a domestically developed propulsion system designed to power subsonic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

With a thrust output of approximately 4.5 kN, the Manik engine has already proven its effectiveness in various ground and sea-level tests, including successful flight demonstrations.

However, adapting this engine for air-launch presents a new set of challenges that require innovative engineering solutions.

Air-launching missiles and UAVs introduces complexities related to varying atmospheric conditions, fuel management, and thrust control.

To address these challenges, GTRE is focusing on modifying the engine's Fuel Control Unit (FCU). The FCU plays a crucial role in regulating fuel flow to the engine, ensuring optimal performance and stability under different operational conditions.

For air-launch applications, the FCU requires significant recalibration to:

• Enhance Fuel Flow Dynamics: The FCU must precisely manage fuel delivery during the dynamic air-launch phase, where rapid changes in altitude and speed can significantly impact engine performance. This ensures stable combustion and consistent thrust output.
• Compensate for Temperature and Pressure Variations: Launching from different altitudes exposes the engine to varying air densities and temperatures. The modified FCU must compensate for these changes to maintain engine efficiency and prevent stalls or overheating.
• Ensure Durability for Multiple Launches: Unlike ground or ship-based launches, air-launched systems may experience repeated launch and recovery cycles. The FCU needs to be robust enough to withstand these stresses and maintain reliability over multiple missions.

This project represents a significant step towards enhancing India's defence capabilities. An air-launched STFE would enable the deployment of cruise missiles from aerial platforms, providing a strategic advantage in various military scenarios, including stand-off attacks and rapid response situations.

This initiative by GTRE showcases India's growing prowess in aerospace technology and its commitment to developing indigenous solutions for its defence needs. The successful completion of this project could pave the way for further advancements in propulsion technology and contribute to a more secure and self-reliant India.

 

[sanket]

Missiles like the Nirbhay air-launch version & UAV will be indigenous once this successful modification is completed. At the moment, it is imported from Russia.

 

[swatkats_razor]

To my non-scientific eyes, Manik is what GTRE should have started with before embarking on Kaveri project.
Anyways, Hope Manik meets its intended purpose soon.

 

[P.K Senapati]

STFE developed by GTRE is also called Manik.This is planned for cruise missile launched from ground and air.
The Fuel control unit may require some spftware logic change for airlaunch version .This ia not very difficult.
involving private company will help GTRE to look for other projects.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

To my non-scientific eyes, Manik is what GTRE should have started with before embarking on Kaveri project.
Anyways, Hope Manik meets its intended purpose soon.

Just an opinion, instead of lower power rated upgraded PTAE-7 used on HAL CATS Warrior, long endurance version of STFE Manik could be used... could increase thrust, speed and range.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

To my non-scientific eyes, Manik is what GTRE should have started with before embarking on Kaveri project.
Anyways, Hope Manik meets its intended purpose soon.

Cruise missiles were not in trend back when kaveri was introduced. Only USAF and Russia had some cruise missile capability and turbofan/jet/ramjet knowledge. All missiles were imported back then.

 

[Sandeep]

Designing and developing a land launched missile and a air launched missile is very different and while you can use a lot of the same parts, components and technology there will still need to be a lot of changes made.

However we are already developing the Astra 1-3 and have already passed a lot of tests and trials for the SFDR engine for the Astra 3 so the real question is what is the purpose of modifying a new engine and what type or range missile are they developing?

 

[VF VF1]

To my non-scientific eyes, Manik is what GTRE should have started with before embarking on Kaveri project.
Anyways, Hope Manik meets its intended purpose soon.

True... Use any weight, any material and just achieve the thrust level and then refine from there. That other engine, the HAL HTFE-25, should also be refined with GTRE. Don't know if HAL is doing a good job on it, as HAL is already stretched with projects.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Do it fast.
On another front HAL was developing HTFE 25 with afterburner?. Is there any progress?. Godrej was supposed to deliver dry Kaveri engine in December, is it delayed?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Ask pvt companies like DG propulsion, azad engg to develop small engines for missiles which we are importing.
MoD should invite pvt companies and circulate a list of small engines which are still imported. Specify the testing, acceptance criteria and the assured order size.