Satellite Images Reveal India's New Engine Test Facility in Rajankunte Nearing Reality

Satellite Images Reveal Rapid Construction Progress on India's Future Jet Engine Development Hub

New satellite imagery showcases significant progress in the construction of the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) advanced engine testing facility at Rajankunte, India.

The facility, a joint venture between the Labs Research and Development Establishment (LRDE) and Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), is rapidly taking shape.

Of particular note is the visible progress on GTRE's Twin Test Cell, which will have the capacity to test powerful future engines with thrust levels exceeding 130kN.

The project represents a major leap forward for India's indigenous aerospace engine development ambitions. Construction work on the Engine Test Facility, including civil works and allied services, began in September 2023. This followed the initiation of consultancy services for the project in July 2023.

Self-Reliance and Capacity Building​

The facility is scheduled for completion by October 2025, and DRDO is prioritizing the awarding of contracts to Indian vendors. This underscores the commitment to fostering domestic expertise and bolstering self-reliance within India's aerospace industry.

Once operational, the Rajankunte facility will boast the ability to test a diverse array of advanced engines. This includes those utilizing both traditional Axi-symmetric nozzles and cutting-edge Thrust Vectored Nozzles (TVN).

Such capabilities will be essential as India pursues the development of advanced propulsion systems for its future fighter aircraft and other aerospace platforms.

Implications​

The construction of this advanced engine testing facility is a clear signal of India's determination to become a major player in the global aerospace engine market.

The successful completion and operation of the Rajankunte facility has the potential to reduce India's reliance on foreign engine technology, saving valuable resources and strengthening the nation's strategic autonomy in the defense sector.

 

[INDIAN]

We also need test bed aircraft to test indigenous engines , what is the need to take our engine to Russia every time to do the testing.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Borat: Very Nice!!

 

[NSR]

Wonderful news to see the plans going forward.

But GTRE and HAL-Koraput engine facilities needs a High Altitude Fighter Engine test aircraft very badly.
They also need a SU-30MKI, Mig-29, Jaguar, Tejas IA to put their successful DRY engines and test them for taxi and takeoff and landing trials.
Taking engine to Russia is no longer feasible.

 

[sanket]

This should have been done 25 years ago Result would have been different.some fools are spreading Lies about DRDO got ample of Funds to develop Fighter Jet Engine.

 

[Paul]

Is it limited to 130KN?

 

[sanket]

Is it limited to 130KN?

No Exceeding 130kN becoz all Future Engine may b over 130 kN

 

[sanket]

DRDO have achieved good Technology in Kaveri Engine even without Twin Engine Figter Test Bed.Hope This Year Foreign Partner for Engine development.& MRFA Process too may start its process.

 

[kumar]

GOI must sanction funds for FTB(Flying test bed) as it is sorely lacking. High altitude test facility also required.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Wonderful news to see the plans going forward.

But GTRE and HAL-Koraput engine facilities needs a High Altitude Fighter Engine test aircraft very badly.
They also need a SU-30MKI, Mig-29, Jaguar, Tejas IA to put their successful DRY engines and test them for taxi and takeoff and landing trials.
Taking engine to Russia is no longer feasible.

Let them get a single 4 engined civilian or ex-military plane first.

 

[NSR]

Let them get a single 4 engined civilian or ex-military plane first.

India has some of its own retired Boeing 747s in storage.
They can be refurbished with the help of Boeing.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

This will go a long way in developing our own jet engines. Our scientists and engineers have had to deal with little R&D money and lack of research infra forever. Still they are able to build and develop so much. Imagine what they can do now, when so much money is flowing in R&D by the govt.

 

[Akshat]

This will go a long way in developing our own jet engines. Our scientists and engineers have had to deal with little R&D money and lack of research infra forever. Still they are able to build and develop so much. Imagine what they can do now, when so much money is flowing in R&D by the govt.

Lies again. DRDO always had blank check budgets for their program. So much money that they can’t afford Ben spend it. Problem is that the people in DRDO are idiots and MoD was mostly reluctant to give projects to others.

 

[Akshat]

We also need test bed aircraft to test indigenous engines , what is the need to take our engine to Russia every time to do the testing.

Facilities are made as per the requirements. Recently there was a report that our hypersonic test facilities are lying idle as they had only 1 project and now have nothing to do. Right now, we have no engine to test on these test beds. Last time Kaveri was taken to Russia, it burst mid air damaging the test bed as well. So focus on making the engine work. What is needed is a test bed which is made available to them. Whether it’s in India or Russia or Mars is immaterial.

 

[NSR]

Next step should and must be acquiring a flying test bed for engine testing

 

[Sandeep]

Next step should and must be acquiring a flying test bed for engine testing

We already have a flying test bed

 

[kumar]

We already have a flying test bed

We don't have our own flying test bed.

 

[Sandeep]

India is making the right choices and will develop the engine test facilities because we need to develop our own jet engines. Kaveri is a good engine but it only gives us 50kn of dry thrust and we still need to develop an indigenous afterburner to boost our speed into wet thrust. We are also developing the Kaveri marine engine which is showing good progress and this will allow us to use it for small to medium ships

 

[Rajesh]

Slow but a good step . All fecilities required for developing jet engines should be developed as we can't use Russian fecilities forever(cost) and the French one which comes under the offset clause(meaning we have to buy more costly french stuffs forever). High altitude test fecility and test bed are some which should be fastracked.

 

[Rajesh]

Is it limited to 130KN?

Is should be upto 130kn. Let us start with 130 kn as mk2,amca and tedbf all will come under 130 kn . It is only when we start the project for su-30 replacement we have to think about higher thrust fecilities.