Kaveri Derivative Engine Set for Final 25-Hours In-Flight Tests by Late 2025, Paving the Way for 2026 Certification and Ghatak UCAV Integration

India's long-standing ambition to develop a homegrown jet engine is approaching a significant milestone. The Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE), a specialised power plant for unmanned aircraft, is scheduled to commence its final in-flight testing phase in Russia by late 2025.

Officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have indicated that the successful completion of these tests will lead to the engine's certification by 2026, a critical step for its integration into the nation's premier stealth drone, the Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

Developed by the DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), the engine will undergo 25 hours of rigorous trials on a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 flying testbed.

This final evaluation is the key to unlocking official funding for the advanced Ghatak UCAV program, which is spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

The development of the Ghatak, a top-priority defence project, has been strategically paced to await the formal certification of its indigenous power source, ensuring seamless integration and performance.

The journey of this engine originates from the Kaveri engine project, which began in the 1980s with the goal of powering the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The original program faced setbacks, including not achieving the required thrust for a fighter jet.

Learning from these challenges, the DRDO has re-engineered the engine into the Kaveri Derivative Engine. This non-afterburning version is optimised specifically for the needs of the Ghatak UCAV, delivering a thrust of approximately 50-55 kilonewtons (kN). This output is ideal for the drone's requirements of stealth, fuel efficiency, and long-endurance missions at high altitudes.

The upcoming tests in Russia represent the culmination of years of development and extensive ground trials conducted at GTRE's facilities in Bengaluru.

The Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft will serve as a high-altitude platform to assess the KDE's performance in real-world flight conditions, monitoring its stability, thrust control, and endurance.

A DRDO official stated that the engine's certification in 2026 will be a transformative achievement for India's aerospace and defence self-reliance, significantly boosting its capability as a developer of advanced jet engine technology.

The Ghatak UCAV itself represents a major leap in India's military aviation capabilities. Envisioned as a 5.5-generation stealth aircraft, it is designed with a flying-wing airframe to minimise its radar signature.

The drone will have a maximum takeoff weight of 13 tons and be capable of carrying up to 2 tons of precision-guided munitions in an internal weapons bay.

Beyond intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the Ghatak is being designed with the rare capability to engage in air-to-air combat, including dogfighting.

This will allow it to perform high-risk missions and complement India's future manned fighter fleet, which includes the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Tejas Mk-2.

 

[Hawkeye]

Super, it seems like the Ghatak UAV will be out before the Tejas MK2. We don't need any more foreign 4th-gen jets; we can team up both the Tejas MK2 and Ghatak.

 

[FIDA INDIA]

Why is certification needed? If we use a machine or UAV enough, that doesn't mean it's certified. Let me make you understand the certification thing. Is it above utility? I am getting frustrated. How important is it?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

These tests were earlier scheduled for 2024. That's over a year's wait for testing. It would be better to develop our own testing infra.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Once mastered, scaling up is very easy. No need for outside help for future engines.

 

[Mc Addy]

That UCAV may turn out to be the second Bhramastra after Bhramos.

 

[Python]

Ghatak is of high value to India. Cheap, mass-produced, and stealthy, it can be swarmed in good numbers and used in high-risk operations without risking pilots, all while utilizing an indigenous engine.

 

[R. Singh]

Complete the certification process of 75 KN Kaveri engine to power twin engine ORCA !

 

[Sandeep]

This is a very important and critical engine that we have 100% indigenously designed, developed and manufactured from Indian raw materials.

Once we complete that critical test and it becomes certified then we can eventually use it on the stealth UCAV Ghatak. Now they should start to quickly scale up and manufacture several Ghatak drones prototypes so we can test the engine with its technology and capabilities. At the same time we should start production as soon as possible.

Also if we want to develop a brand new engine to replace the F404 with an indigenous engine then we would have to start right from the beginning. We would have to design a completely brand new clean sheet engine so hopefully yeah.

 

[myLCA]

Why is certification needed? If we use a machine or UAV enough, that doesn't mean it's certified. Let me make you understand the certification thing. Is it above utility? I am getting frustrated. How important is it?

Hi, Please make me 'understand the certification thing'. Thanks

 

[myLCA]

Ghatak is of high value to India. Cheap, mass-produced, and stealthy, it can be swarmed in good numbers and used in high-risk operations without risking pilots, all while utilizing an indigenous engine.

Each Ghatak will need an engine and other avionics suite. How many engines can we manufactured annually and at what cost? Please get data on these aspects first and then make comment like 'cheap and mass produced'

 

[pawan]

Super, it seems like the Ghatak UAV will be out before the Tejas MK2. We don't need any more foreign 4th-gen jets; we can team up both the Tejas MK2 and Ghatak.

Obviously, Tejas MK2 needs F414 which US as of now will keep on postponing(dont know if the 10 year India-US defence collab will be signed or not, only then there's chance)

 

[pawan]

Why is certification needed? If we use a machine or UAV enough, that doesn't mean it's certified. Let me make you understand the certification thing. Is it above utility? I am getting frustrated. How important is it?

It is required. It provides a proof of safety, reliability, and performance before the engine is used in aircraft. It involves rigorous testing and evaluation to verify that the engine meets specific standards and can operate safely under various conditions throughout its operational life.
Also, we will be also looking to export these engines in future. Why would any other country buy our engines if they are not certified

 

[Muthu.Kumar]

This is only for the UCAV where the thrust around 50 kN is enough. But when is it going to be upgraded to produce at least 80-85 kN to be tested in Tejas ? Do we having any plan or vision in this direction ???? At all ???

 

[rohit2334]

Why is certification needed? If we use a machine or UAV enough, that doesn't mean it's certified. Let me make you understand the certification thing. Is it above utility? I am getting frustrated. How important is it?

Certification will allow exports to different countries later

 

[Sun Beam]

Why is certification needed? If we use a machine or UAV enough, that doesn't mean it's certified. Let me make you understand the certification thing. Is it above utility? I am getting frustrated. How important is it?

Certification means meating some stringent requirements set by global authority which is common for all the flying machines of different countries having different technological standards wherein no flaws are seen to avoid any accidents or failures while flying in the space(atmosphere) which also ensures the winning of the combat scenarios..... These flying machines are highly complex platforms having different technological parts including avionics, electronics, mission computers, radars, aero engines operating with different mechanical parts but with control electronics like FADAC etc. So certification alone confirms the machine is flight worthy enough to fly successfully or fight against the foe or the adversaries & succeed the combat situation...... Certification meets all the standards set by the design engineers worked out on the papers which makes it's practical during the war with it's adversaries..... How to check the design parameters to work successfully during a practical situation like in the dog fight or the weapon deployment on adversary locations.... So certification confirms the machine is fit to perform all the offence or defence role's.....

 

[Krishnendu C]

KDE was sent to Russia on 4th Jan'25 for flight-testing of 70 hrs. It's mid-july and only about 55 hrs. of testing done. Another 6 months will be consumed for remaining 25 hrs. of testing. We need our own test-bed urgently.