Article Posted on : - Nov 12, 2010

The Kaveri engine will power the IAF's advancved Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.

MOSCOW (PTI): India’s indigenous Kaveri aircraft engine underwent a successful flight trial on board a Russian Il-76LL aircraft, but experts here said that 50 more in-flight tests were needed before it is ready to power India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

“The first flight of an Il-76LL (Flying Lab) aircraft with a Kaveri engine set in place of one of the plane's engines continued for 45 minutes and confirmed the results of ground tests,” state arms export firm Rosoboronexport Corporation said in a statement here.

The Kaveri engine has been designed by India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) for the country’s Tejas fighter.

About 50 in-flight tests have been scheduled for the next few months by Russia’s top aviation institute – Gromov Flight Research Institute – based in Zhukovski near here to confirm the engine’s characteristics and reliability, after which it would be tested on Tejas LCA, it said.

Kaveri has already suffered prolonged delays, and the first of the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft had to be powered by US’s General Electric GE F404 engines.

India is negotiating a fresh deal with the American company to buy more advanced engines to ensure that the LCA flies to its maximum capabilities.

The advanced version of LCA is expected to be powered by the Kaveri engine.