Article Posted on : - Nov 05, 2010

Kaveri engine

NEW DELHI (PTI): India's indigenous aircraft engine, Kaveri, was successfully flight tested at Gromov Flight Research Institute in Moscow, the DRDO has said.

The test was conducted at the Flying Test Bed at Gromov, with the engine running right from the take-off to landing, flying for a period of over one hour up to an altitude of 6,000 metres Wednesday, it said in a press release here.

The engine helped the IL-76 aircraft test bed fly at speeds of 0.6 mach in its maiden flight, according to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

"The engine control, performance and health during the flight were found to be excellent. With this test, Kaveri engine has completed a major milestone of development programme," it added.

During the coming months, further 50 or 60 test flights would be carried out to mature the engine in terms of reliability, safety and airworthiness, it said.

These trials will pave the way for further flight trials of Kaveri engine with a fighter aircraft.

"An existing IL-76 aircraft was modified as a flying test bed for this trial with Kaveri engine replacing one of the four engines of the aircraft. The modifications included instrumentation required for trials as well as integration of mechanical, electrical and fuel system," the release said.

The engine was controlled by the pilot from the cockpit and a number of taxi trials were carried out with the engine integrated with the aircraft, before the maiden flight.

The engine data was recorded in the aircraft as well as transmitted to ground station by telemetry.

DRDO Chief Controller (Aeronautics and Services Integration) was present during the flight trial.

Kaveri is being developed for fighter aircraft at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bangalore with the active support of several other DRDO labs, academic institutions and industry partners.

During development phase, Kaveri engine has successfully completed various stages of development including component testing, safety tests, ground-based engine tests, and endurance tests, both at GTRE as well as at test bed facilities abroad.