HAL develops turbo fan engine for trainer aircraft

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Monday unveiled an indigenously-designed and developed aero engine for trainer aircraft, which was revved up fully for the first time at HAL's Bangalore complex.

Participating in the HAL's inaugural run of the core of 25 kN indigenous aero engine, Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE 25), defence minister Manohar Parrikar appreciated the efforts of HAL in meeting defence needs.

The 25kN (kilonewton) HTFE-25 can be used for basic, intermediate and advanced trainer aircraft.

Parrikar also initiated the design and development of Hindustan turbo shaft engine (HTSE-1200) for light utility helicopters of 3.5-tonne class in solo configuration and of 5-8 tonne class in twin configuration of advanced light helicopters like Dhru and light combat helicopters, rolled out by the defence behemoth.

"Under Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) programme, we have already discussed and are coming to the final stage of finalising a jet engine development of a higher class," Parrikar said.

"The turboshaft engine develops 1200 kW (kilowatt) power at sea level and can operate up to 7km altitude," HAL said in a statement here on the occasion.

"Efforts should be made to achieve excellence in aeronautical engineering with the participation of HAL and private sector. The aerospace sector, led by HAL, has potential to turn India into an aerospace manufacturing hub, as the country will require 4,000-6,000 helicopter engines in the coming years," Parrkiar told reporters at the event.

The Aero Engine Research and Design Centre and HAL had designed and developed the 25 kN thrust class turbofan engine for basic military trainer aircraft.

"The engine can also be used on business jets and five tonne class aircraft in single engine configuration and on aircraft of up to nine tonne class with twin engine configuration," said HAL chairman and managing director T Suvarna Raju.

The HTSE project is being funded through internal resources of HAL to design and develop complex aero engines for different types of choppers.

"In the first phase, we have covered the engine design, developing and testing it, and will take up its production in the subsequent phases along with testing of the full engine," Raju said.