New Delhi: Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane inaugurated a new design and test facility at the Aero Engine Research and Development Centre (AERDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on December 29, 2023. The AERDC is currently involved in the design and development of several new engines, including two strategic engines: the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) with 25 kN thrust for powering trainers, UAVs, twin-engine small fighter aircraft, or regional jets, and the Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) with 1200 kN thrust for powering light and medium-weight helicopters (3.5 to 6.5 tonnes) in single/twin-engine configuration.
The new state-of-the-art facility, spanning over 10,000 sq. meters, houses special machines, advanced setups leveraging computational tools, an in-house fabrication facility, and two test beds for testing HTFE-25. It also includes one test bed each for testing HTSE-1200 and the upcoming JV engine for IMRH, to be co-developed by Safran, France, and HAL. Additionally, the newly developed facility has 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, and Gas Turbine Electrical Generator (GTEG)-60 for the An-32 aircraft. Setups to carry out various critical tests for engine components and Line Replacement Units (LRUs) have also been established within the new facility.
Hailing the work being done by HAL, the Defence Secretary stated that the government trusts the capability of the Defence PSU to deliver and make the country self-reliant. He said, “The manufacturing sector is the future of the country, and in the coming decades, HAL should focus on mastering technologies for all types of aircraft. Think ahead as the entire paradigm of warfare is changing.”
Highlighting the role of unmanned aircraft in future warfare, the Defence Secretary encouraged HAL to collaborate with other private companies to develop new platforms. He inspected the manufacturing range of various engines and test beds and also paid a visit to HAL’s Aerospace Division.
The Chairman & Managing Director (Addl. Charge) of HAL, Shri CB Ananthakrishnan, said: “The development of this facility marks a key milestone in HAL’s growth trajectory. It is a testimony of our commitment towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in aero-engine design and development.”
The Centre, established in the 1960s, holds the unique distinction of being the only design house that has developed test beds for engines of both Western and Russian origin. The Centre has successfully developed & certified PTAE-7 engine, the first indigenous turbojet engine of India powering Lakshya (Unmanned Aircraft), Gas Turbine Electrical Generator GTEG-60 for starting An-32 aircraft, Air starter ATS 37 & Air producer for starting Adour-Mk 804E/811 on Jaguar Aircraft, and Shakti engine for powering ALH to support Ad804/811 engine of Jaguar aircraft.