How MIDHANI's Materials Science Expertise Can Fuel India's Engine Development for AMCA and Tejas MkII

Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), under the leadership of Dr Sanjay Kumar Jha, is set to play a pivotal role in fueling India's indigenous engine development for its advanced fighter jet programs - the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Tejas MkII.

The company is collaborating with the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to develop high-performance materials crucial for the 110kN thrust engine, the powerhouse of the AMCA. These discussions with GTRE, alongside potential partnerships with global aerospace giants like Safran, GE, and Rolls-Royce, aim to bring in cutting-edge technology and expertise to bolster India's indigenous capabilities.

MIDHANI's expertise is already evident in its development of five critical materials for the Dry Kaveri engine program, showcasing its proficiency in advanced metallurgy and material science. This contributes significantly to enhancing the performance of this engine for modern combat aircraft.

Furthermore, MIDHANI plans to supply materials and components for the F-414 engines, which are to be locally manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas MkII program. This local production, with an impressive 80% Transfer of Technology from GE to HAL, not only strengthens India's self-reliance in defence production but also enhances the country's technological prowess.

Dr Jha underscores the strategic importance of developing indigenous capabilities in defence technology. Through local production and development, MIDHANI is reducing dependency on foreign suppliers, enhancing national security, and promoting self-reliance.

MIDHANI's commitment to material science innovation positions it as a key player in India's journey towards achieving technological self-sufficiency in the crucial domain of defence engine development.

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

Midhani is one of India's top source of development of new material. If we have capability of making on our own it should pursued with full force. I have said those guys that rectify AL31F engines problems are also very well capable of making better engines as it speaks of high skill in development. Al development is not linear a break through in efforts to make one class of engine leads to a solution of another. India should not only work on 110kn thrust engine but even pursue higher level thrust like 150 kn and higher.

Al31F with 125kN is already made in India. It makes no sense to go for 150kN engines as Su30 already has 38ton MToW with 10ton payload and 9.6ton (12kilolitres) fuel. Why do you want 20% increase in engine power? Why would anyone need more than 10ton payload? Also, where are the hardpoints to carry any extra load? What will happen to fuel efficiency?
Engines are not designed as per whims and fancy but as per requirements. 125kN engines are enough for Indian needs. Unless India intends to develop a 40ton 5th gen fighter (which will need 300kN power due to aerodynamically inefficient stealth design), there will be no need for 150kN engines

 

[beencensured]

Midhani is one of India's top source of development of new material. If we have capability of making on our own it should pursued with full force. I have said those guys that rectify AL31F engines problems are also very well capable of making better engines as it speaks of high skill in development. Al development is not linear a break through in efforts to make one class of engine leads to a solution of another. India should not only work on 110kn thrust engine but even pursue higher level thrust like 150 kn and higher.

 

[Pramkumar]

First we need to get Kaveri operational for LcA then we need to make a 90-95kn and progress to 110kn engine

 

[NSR]

It will be a great initiative for Midhani to get into fighter engine manufacturing and development of future 110 kN engine.
The success of HOT CORE section is an extremely difficult task and many failures all over the world.
Only few mastered it.

So a joint design and development of HOT CORE section with GE, RR or Safran may still be required.

But first India must acquire a high altitude fighter engine test platform as soon as possible as it is an extremely important asset to test the fighter engines.

 

[Sandeep]

India should allow any indigenous company to participate in supplying any critical parts and components for its GE 414 engine for Tejas MK2. We should try and achieve 80% of indigenous content as soon as possible and slowly try to achieve 100% once we observe and learn more about it and how’s it’s made and materials or parts required.

As for the AMCA jet we have already made a deal with France to design and develop a brand new engine. India will get and own 100% of the technology, make 100% of it entirely in India, freely able to sell or modify or upgrade it and own 100% of the intellectual property. This deal is the best offer that India will ever get because it allows us to become self reliant and no other country has offered such a deal to us before. This deal will also allow us to gain knowledge on how to design and develop an engine along with the scientific knowledge, metallurgy and engineering involved in developing a 5th generation stealth engine for the AMCA Mk2.

 

[Pad UwU]

Midhani is one of India's top source of development of new material. If we have capability of making on our own it should pursued with full force. I have said those guys that rectify AL31F engines problems are also very well capable of making better engines as it speaks of high skill in development. Al development is not linear a break through in efforts to make one class of engine leads to a solution of another. India should not only work on 110kn thrust engine but even pursue higher level thrust like 150 kn and higher.

Why didn't MIDHANI redeveloped the tech transfer from Al31f engine to hasten the Kaveri or other secret engine development 🤔🧐....
now they making noise because of f414 engine that we still don't have the finalize tech transfer agreement 😺

 

[prasant kumar shaarma]

Al31F with 125kN is already made in India. It makes no sense to go for 150kN engines as Su30 already has 38ton MToW with 10ton payload and 9.6ton (12kilolitres) fuel. Why do you want 20% increase in engine power? Why would anyone need more than 10ton payload? Also, where are the hardpoints to carry any extra load? What will happen to fuel efficiency?
Engines are not designed as per whims and fancy but as per requirements. 125kN engines are enough for Indian needs. Unless India intends to develop a 40ton 5th gen fighter (which will need 300kN power due to aerodynamically inefficient stealth design), there will be no need for 150kN engines

But India do need 5th generation fighter jets.

 

[Pad UwU]

First we need to get Kaveri operational for LcA then we need to make a 90-95kn and progress to 110kn engine

Kaveri is good for drones IMHO for man fighter jet is more like a flying coffin as long it's still not efficient and reliable because of it's a new architectural design

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

But India do need 5th generation fighter jets.

That is AMCA which will have twin 110kN engines. Where is 150kN engines needed? Even F35 has 1 single 180-190kN engine. Why would India need 300kN of power all of a sudden?

 

[wallisk]

Baba Kalyani Group will jv with GTRE for Cauvery2.0 90KN max. wet thrusts engines it appears so...

 

[wallisk]

First we need to get Kaveri operational for LcA then we need to make a 90-95kn and progress to 110kn engine

Kaveri2.0 program with GTRE-Midhani and Baba Kalyani pvt player funding; is now started for a 90KN max. wet thrusts NEW engines developments [NEW core and new engine also!].....

 

[wallisk]

Why didn't MIDHANI redeveloped the tech transfer from Al31f engine to hasten the Kaveri or other secret engine development 🤔🧐....
now they making noise because of f414 engine that we still don't have the finalize tech transfer agreement 😺

it being done in Kaveri2.0 Brand new 90KN max. thrusts engine developments now...

 

[wallisk]

Al31F with 125kN is already made in India. It makes no sense to go for 150kN engines as Su30 already has 38ton MToW with 10ton payload and 9.6ton (12kilolitres) fuel. Why do you want 20% increase in engine power? Why would anyone need more than 10ton payload? Also, where are the hardpoints to carry any extra load? What will happen to fuel efficiency?
Engines are not designed as per whims and fancy but as per requirements. 125kN engines are enough for Indian needs. Unless India intends to develop a 40ton 5th gen fighter (which will need 300kN power due to aerodynamically inefficient stealth design), there will be no need for 150kN engines

CANNOT fit HUGE AL31F engines into tiny LCA or AMCA fuselage engine nacelle... That is why GEF404 and F414 engines being used which are smaller lighter lesser fuel consumption longer life and quite good TWR thrusts...

 

[R. Singh]

It seems that Tejas-1A program may delay/suffer due to GE-404 engine issues ! Better MIDHANI+NAL+GTRE+HAL+SAFRAN should first develop a 90KN engine to power 97 Tejas-1A or make twin engine ORCA powered by current 80+ KN Kaveri 2.0 engines using Rafale air frame !