Defense News ,India :- Shedding light on the pivotal role of unmanned aircraft in the future landscape of warfare, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane has urged Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to foster collaborations with private enterprises for the development of innovative platforms, as per the Ministry of Defence.
During his visit, Aramane toured the diverse range of engines and test beds, making a stop at HAL Aerospace Division. On December 29, he inaugurated a new design and test facility at the Aero Engine Research and Development Centre (AERDC) of HAL.
The AERDC is presently engaged in the design and advancement of various engines, notably the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) with 25 kN thrust, designed for trainers, UAVs, twin-engine small fighter aircraft, or regional jets. Additionally, the centre is working on the Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) with 1200 kN thrust, intended for powering light and medium-weight helicopters in single/twin engine configurations.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the newly established state-of-the-art facility, spanning over 10,000 square meters, is equipped with specialized machinery, advanced setups utilizing computational tools, an in-house fabrication facility, and two test beds for HTFE-25, along with one test bed each for HTSE-1200 and the upcoming joint venture engine for IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) to be co-developed by Safran, France, and HAL.
Furthermore, the facility includes setups for testing the Air producer of Jaguar, Gas Turbine Starter Unit (GTSU) - 110 M2 and 127E of Light Combat Aircraft, Auxiliary Power Units of Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, as well as Gas Turbine Electrical Generator (GTEG)-60 for An-32 aircraft.
The new facility also houses setups for conducting critical tests on engine components and Line Replacement Units (LRUs), providing a comprehensive testing infrastructure. Defence Secretary Aramane emphasized the government trust in the Defence PSU capabilities to enhance self-reliance. He highlighted the significance of the manufacturing sector for the nation future and urged HAL to focus on mastering technologies for all types of aircraft, considering the evolving paradigm of warfare.
C.B. Ananthakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director (Additional Charge) of HAL, expressed that the development of this facility marks a significant milestone in HAL growth, showcasing their commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in aero-engine design and development.
Established in the 1960s, the AERDC holds a unique distinction as the only design house that has developed test beds for engines of both Western and Russian origin. Notably, the centre has successfully developed and certified various engines, including the PTAE-7 engine, the first indigenous turbojet engine of India powering the Lakshya unmanned aircraft, and the Shakti engine for powering ALH to support the Ad804/811 engine of Jaguar aircraft.
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