CSIR-NAL Unveils High-Endurance 30 HP Wankel Engine for 150kg Loitering Munition with 900km Reach
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) is advancing India's defense technology with the development of an indigenous 30 horsepower (HP) Wankel rotary engine. This engine is specifically designed to power a 150 kg class loitering munition unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), aiming to enhance the country's strategic capabilities.
Engine Specifications
The 30 HP Wankel engine developed by CSIR-NAL boasts a displacement of 216 cubic centimeters (cc) and delivers a maximum thrust exceeding 40 kilograms-force (kgf) at sea level. Designed for high-altitude performance, the engine operates efficiently at altitudes between 2 to 3 kilometers, with a ceiling altitude surpassing 5 kilometers above mean sea level. Notably, this engine has undergone rigorous ground testing and has received certification from the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) for flight trials.
Loitering Munition UAV Specifications
The loitering munition UAV powered by this engine is engineered to meet contemporary operational requirements with the following key features:
- Maximum Range: 900 kilometers
- Endurance: 6 to 9 hours
- Operational Altitude: Up to 5 kilometers
- Payload Capacity: Capable of carrying a 15 kg warhead along with 10 kg of sensing payloads
- Wingspan: Less than 4 meters
- Launch Mechanism: Assisted launch system
- Navigation: GPS-denied navigation capabilities
- Stealth Features: Incorporation of design elements to achieve a comparatively low radar cross-section (RCS)
- Autonomy: Enhanced autonomous operational features
- Indigenous Components: Utilization of domestically developed hardware and software systems
These specifications are outlined in CSIR-NAL's Request for Proposal (RFP) for joint collaboration in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the 150 kg category loitering munition UAV.
Collaborative Development Effort
To expedite the development and deployment of this advanced UAV system, CSIR-NAL is seeking industrial partners willing to engage as technology collaborators, investment stakeholders, and risk-sharing participants. The selected partners will actively contribute to the joint design, analysis, development, testing, and subsequent production of various subsystems of the loitering munition UAV. This collaborative approach aims to replace foreign imports with indigenous solutions, thereby bolstering India's self-reliance in defense technology.
The integration of the 30 HP Wankel engine into the loitering munition UAV underscores CSIR-NAL's commitment to advancing aerospace technologies and supporting national defense initiatives. This development not only enhances the operational capabilities of the armed forces but also signifies a substantial step toward achieving technological self-sufficiency in critical defense applications.
