The DRDO/GTRE Kaveri engine has been cleared for aircraft integration following an audit by Safran of France. This is a significant development in the Kaveri engine program, which has been in development for many years.
According to the news reports, the Kaveri engine will likely be integrated with a limited serial production Tejas aircraft for testing. This integration will serve as a crucial step in advancing India's indigenous engine technology, though it is not intended as a replacement for the existing F-404 engines in operational fighter jets.[1][2][3]
The integration of the Kaveri engine derivative into the LCA-Tejas Trainer aircraft is part of a coordinated effort between DRDO and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). This initiative aims to utilize the trainer aircraft as a Flying Testbed, enabling extensive testing and refinement of the engine in real-flight conditions.[3]
Two prototypes, designated PV-5 (KH-T2009) and PV-6 (KH-T2010), will be central to this testing phase. Originally developed to test the twin-seater variant of the LCA-Tejas Mk1 fighter jet, at least one prototype is being repurposed to facilitate the integration and testing of the Dry Kaveri engine.[3]
GTRE has already commenced receiving new batches of the Dry Kaveri engines, which have been specifically ordered for this testing program. These engines are scheduled for high-altitude trials, which are essential to assess their performance under varied and extreme conditions.[3]
In parallel with the integration efforts, GTRE is also working on developing new afterburner modules for the Kaveri engine. The addition of these modules is expected to increase the combined thrust to approximately 73-75kN, which is slightly lower than the 84kN thrust generated by the current F-404 engines used in the LCA-Tejas Mk1.[3]
The successful integration and testing of the Kaveri engine on the Tejas aircraft would be a significant milestone for India's indigenous engine development program, and could pave the way for its future use in other Indian military aircraft.
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