Gas Turbine Research Establishment

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Gas Turbine Research Establishment
Former name
Gas Turbine Research Centre (GTRC)
Established1959
Field of research
Aerogas turbine technology
Director Shri. Dr. S V Ramana Murthy
Location Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Operating agency
 Defence Research and Development Organisation
Website GTRE
GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri Kaveri aero india.jpg
GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri
GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri GTX-35VS Kaveri.jpg
GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri

Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Located in Bengaluru, its primary function is research and development of aero gas-turbines for military aircraft. As a spin-off effect, GTRE has been developing marine gas-turbines also.

Contents

It was initially known as GTRC (Gas Turbine Research Centre), created in 1959 in No.4 BRD Air Force Station, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In November 1961 it was brought under DRDO, renamed to GTRE and moved to Bengaluru, Karnataka. [1] GTRE has consistently faced critcism for failing to develop an indigenous jet engine for fighter aircraft. [2]

Products

Principal achievements of Gas Turbine Research Establishment include:

GTX Kaveri

GTX-35VS Kaveri engine was intended to power production models of HAL Tejas. [4]

Defending the program GTRE mentioned reasons for delay including:

Both hurdles having been cleared, GTRE intended to continue work on the AMCA (future generation fighter craft).

This program was abandoned in 2014.

Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine (KMGT)

Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine is a design spin-off from the Kaveri engine, designed for Indian combat aircraft. Using the core of the Kaveri engine, GTRE added low-pressure compressor and turbine as a gas generator and designed a free power turbine to generate shaft power for maritime applications. [5]

The involvement of Indian Navy in the development and testing of the engine has given a tremendous boost to the programme. The base frame for KMGT was developed by private player Larsen & Toubro (L&T). [6]

Ghatak engine

The engine for DRDO Ghatak will be a 52-kilonewton dry variant of the Kaveri aerospace engine and will be used in the UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles). The Government of India has cleared a funding of ₹2,650 crores ($394 Million) for the project. [7]

Manik Engine

Small Turbofan Engine (STFE), also known as Manik engine is a 4.5 kN thrust turbofan engine developed by GTRE to power Nirbhay series cruise missile and under development UAVs, Long range Anti-ship and Land Attack cruise missile systems. [8] In October 2022, STFE was successfully flight tested. [9]

DRDO is currently on search for a private production partner to mass produce Manik engine. It is estimated that 300 units will be produced over the course of five years. This amount could be allocated to the GTRE-identified industries. An Expression of Interest (EOI) will first identify two industries to supply three engines each over the course of eighteen months. After that, an RFI for mass production quantities will be issued. [10]

In April 2024, the DRDO designed Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM), which incorporates the Manik engine, was successfully tested. [11] In July 2024, ABI Showatech India Pvt Ltd was awarded the contract to supply Casting Vane Low-Pressure Turbine (LPNGV) subcomponent of the engine as a part of the cruise missile programme. The low pressure turbine is "responsible for extracting energy from the exhaust gases to drive the fan and other compressor stages." [12]

The current STFE production plant is located near Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala for Limited Series Production for testing purpose of Nirbhay cruise missile. [13]

Testing

The KMGT was tested on the Marine Gas Turbine test bed, an Indian Navy facility at Vishakhapatnam. [14] The engine has been tested to its potential of 12 MW at ISA SL 35 °C condition, a requirement of the Navy to propel SNF class ships, such as the Rajput class destroyers. [15]

Manufacturing

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Azad Engineering Limited a contract to serve as a production agency for engines designed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment. Assembling and manufacturing what is known as an Advanced Turbo Gas Generator (ATGG) engine is the focus of the present long-term contract. This is meant to power various defense applications, such as the gas turbine engine that powers the Indian Army's fleet of infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) and tanks, the marine gas turbine engine (MGTE) for upcoming Indian Navy warships, and the GTX-35VS Kaveri turbofan engine for the Tejas fighter. By early 2026, Azad must begin delivering its first batch of fully integrated engines. [16] Using components including a 4-stage axial flow compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage axial flow uncooled turbine, and a fixed exit area nozzle, the engine is built using a single-spool turbojet configuration. Azad Engineering will be essential to GTRE as a single source industry partner. [17]

In 2024, discussions began between Safran, a French defence and aerospace company, and DRDO's Aeronautical Development Agency and GTRE for future technology transfer and manufacturing of jet engines for India's 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. [18]

Industry collaboration

For Combat Aircraft Engine Development Program, PTC Industries Limited, a Titanium recycling and aerospace component forging company has taken up a developmental contract for essential components on 6 December 2022. GTRE is expanding PTC Industries' capacity to produce vital titanium alloy aero engine and aircraft parts through investment casting – hot isostatic pressing technology. In cooperation with GTRE, a prototype of the Engine Bevel Pinion Housing has already been developed. [19] [20]

Jet engine development criticism

GTRE has been frequently criticised for its failure to develop an indigenous jet engine for fighter aircraft, a project the laboratory has been working on since 1982. [21] As of 2023, GTRE has not been able to overcome its engine development issues regarding metallurgy for turbine blades and other engine blade technologies, lack of a flying testbed and wind tunnel to validate engines above a 90 Kilo Newton (KN) thrust. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turbojet</span> Airbreathing jet engine which is typically used in aircraft

The turbojet is an airbreathing jet engine which is typically used in aircraft. It consists of a gas turbine with a propelling nozzle. The gas turbine has an air inlet which includes inlet guide vanes, a compressor, a combustion chamber, and a turbine. The compressed air from the compressor is heated by burning fuel in the combustion chamber and then allowed to expand through the turbine. The turbine exhaust is then expanded in the propelling nozzle where it is accelerated to high speed to provide thrust. Two engineers, Frank Whittle in the United Kingdom and Hans von Ohain in Germany, developed the concept independently into practical engines during the late 1930s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HAL Tejas</span> Indian lightweight multirole fighter

The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-engine, delta wing, multirole combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. Tejas made its first flight in 2001 and entered into service with the IAF in 2015. In 2003, the aircraft was officially named 'Tejas'. Currently Tejas is the smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic combat aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Electric LM2500</span> Industrial and marine gas turbine produced by GE Aerospace

The General Electric LM2500 is an industrial and marine gas turbine produced by GE Aviation. The LM2500 is a derivative of the General Electric CF6 aircraft engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Electric J79</span> Axial flow turbojet engine

The General Electric J79 is an axial-flow turbojet engine built for use in a variety of fighter and bomber aircraft and a supersonic cruise missile. The J79 was produced by General Electric Aircraft Engines in the United States, and under license by several other companies worldwide. Among its major uses was the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Convair B-58 Hustler, McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, North American A-5 Vigilante and IAI Kfir.

<i>Rajput</i>-class destroyer Class of modified Kashin class guided missile destroyers built for Indian Navy

The Rajput-class guided-missile destroyers built for the Indian Navy are modified versions of Soviet Kashin-class destroyers. They are also known as Kashin-II class. The ships were built in the former Soviet Union after considerable Indian design modifications to the Kashin design. These included the replacement of the helicopter pad in the original design with a flight elevator, as well as major changes to the electronics and combat systems. Five units were built for export to India in the 1980s. All units are currently attached to the Eastern Naval Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Electric F404</span> Turbofan aircraft engine family

The General Electric F404 and F412 are a family of afterburning turbofan engines in the 10,500–19,000 lbf (47–85 kN) class. The series is produced by GE Aerospace. Partners include Volvo Aero, which builds the RM12 variant. The F404 was developed into the larger F414 turbofan, as well as the experimental GE36 civil propfan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Electric F414</span> American afterburning turbofan engine

The General Electric F414 is an American afterburning turbofan engine in the 22,000-pound thrust class produced by GE Aerospace. The F414 originated from GE's widely used F404 turbofan, enlarged and improved for use in the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The engine was developed from the F412 non-afterburning turbofan planned for the A-12 Avenger II, before it was canceled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo RM12</span> Jet engine

Reaktionsmotor 12 (RM12) is a low-bypass afterburning turbofan jet engine developed for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter. A version of the General Electric F404, the RM12 was produced by Volvo Aero. The last of the 254 engines was produced on 24 May 2011, at which time it had reached 160,000 flight hours without any serious incidents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HAL AMCA</span> Indian fifth-generation stealth fighter

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an Indian single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft being developed for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The Mark-1 variant of the aircraft will be a fifth generation fighter while the Mark-2 variant will have sixth-generation technologies. The aircraft is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) - an aircraft design agency under MoD. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) consisting of ADA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and a private company is being formed for the development and production of AMCA. In March 2024, the project received approval from India's Cabinet Committee on Security for the prototype development and mass production expected to begin by 2035.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri</span> Afterburning turbofan aircraft engine

The GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri is an afterburning turbofan project under development by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Bengaluru, India. An Indian design, the Kaveri was originally intended to power production models of the HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. However, the Kaveri programme failed to satisfy the necessary technical requirements on time and was officially delinked from the Tejas programme in September 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirbhay</span> Indian subsonic cruise missile in limited service and further development

Nirbhay is a long range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile designed and developed in India by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) which is under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile can be launched from multiple platforms and is capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads. It is currently deployed in limited numbers in Line of Actual Control (LAC) during standoff with China.

Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) is a research laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Located in Defence Research Complex, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad. It is responsible for the development and manufacture of complex metals and materials required for modern warfare and weapon systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DRDO Ghatak</span> Type of aircraft

Ghatak (pronounced: gʰɑːt̪ək; lit. 'Deadly' in Hindi), initially designated as Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV), is an autonomous jet powered stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), being developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Air Force. The design work on the UCAV is to be carried out by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA) was a tentative name for the UCAV. Details of the project are classified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle</span> Hypersonic demonstration aircraft

The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic flight. It is being developed as a carrier vehicle for hypersonic and long-range cruise missiles, and will have multiple civilian applications including the launching of small satellites at low cost. The HSTDV program is being run by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Indian Air Force has been undergoing a modernization program to replace and upgrade outdated equipment since the late 1990s to meet modern standards. For that reason, it has started procuring and developing aircraft, weapons, associated technologies, and infrastructures. Some of these programs date back to the late 1980s. The primary focus of current modernization and upgrades is to replace aircraft purchased from the Soviet Union that currently form the backbone of the air force.

India has studied, produced and used various strategic and tactical missile systems since its independence. Decades long projects have realised development of all types of missile systems including ballistic, cruise, anti-ship, air-defence, air-to-air and anti-missile systems. India is one of seven countries in the world with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and one of four countries with anti-ballistic missile systems. Since 2016, India has been a member of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DRDO Abhyas</span> Aerial target drone

The DRDO Abhyas is a high-speed expendable aerial target being built by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HAL Tejas Mk2</span> Indian multirole fighter

The HAL Tejas Mark 2, or Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is an Indian single-engine, canard delta wing, multirole combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a further development of the HAL Tejas, with an elongated airframe, close coupled canards, new sensors, and a more powerful engine. The roll-out of the first prototype is expected by 2025, first flight within 2026 and mass production by 2029.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HAL TEDBF</span> Indian carrier-based multirole combat aircraft

The HAL Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is a canard delta wing, twin-engine, carrier-based, multirole combat aircraft currently under development for the Indian Navy. The TEDBF is being designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), and will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The TEDBF is intended to perform a multitude of missions, including air supremacy, air interdiction, anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), anti-ship warfare (ASW) and electronic warfare (EW) missions. The TEDBF is expected to replace the Mikoyan MiG-29K onboard the INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.drdo.gov.in. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 Sachdeva, A.K. (12 January 2023). "India's aero-engine industry needs reheat". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gas Turbine Research Establishment". Nuclear Threat Initiative. James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  4. ↑ Gunston, Bill (Ed.) (15 June 2006). "GTRE Kaveri" in Jane’s Aero-Engines, Issue 14. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group Limited. ISBN   0-7106-1405-5.
  5. ↑ "DRDO develops marine gas turbine engine for Indian Navy". Newindpress.com. Retrieved 28 January 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "India speeds up work on local marine gas turbine production - ET EnergyWorld". ETEnergyworld.com. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Bazaar, The American (14 December 2015). "Project Ghatak: India to make indigenous stealth combat drones". The American Bazaar. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "Nirbhay cruise missile to be tested with 'desi' engine in future". The Week. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  9. ↑ "Annual Report 2022-23" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Government of India. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  10. ↑ @Defencematrix1 (11 November 2023). "Mass Production of STFE (Manik)! DRDO's GTRE has issued an Expression of Interest for the selection of Indian Industry Partners for the production of STFE expendable engine" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 July 2024– via Twitter.
  11. ↑ Rout, Hemant Kumar (19 April 2024). "ITCM flight-tested, India achieves success in indigenous cruise systems". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  12. ↑ alphadefense.in (15 July 2024). "Fortifying the Future: Strengthening the Supply Chain of India's Indigenous STFE". alphadefense.in. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  13. ↑ "Land proposed in Nettukaltheri to relocate BrahMos Aerospace". The Times of India. 29 October 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  14. ↑ "Demonstration of 12 MW Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine for Indian Navy | Frontier India - News, Analysis, Opinion". Frontier India. 17 July 2008. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  15. ↑ Kar, Sitanshu (17 July 2008). "Modified Kaveri Engine to Propel Indian Navy Ships". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  16. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (23 May 2024). "Azad Engineering to build fully integrated advanced turbo engine for DRDO". Business Standard. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  17. ↑ "Azad Engineering bags contract for advanced turbo gas generator engine from DRDO lab GTRE". The Hindu. 23 May 2024. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  18. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (26 January 2024). "Jet engine deal with France will give 100% access to technology, says Indian envoy". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  19. ↑ "PTCIL to develop critical components for DRDO-GTRE's Combat Aircraft Engine development program". Business Standard. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  20. ↑ Agarwal, Smita. "PTC Industries Limited committed towards supply of Critical Components for GTRE-DRDO's Aero Engines" (PDF). PTC Industries. Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Centre. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  21. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (9 June 2022). "Why likely €1 bn French deal is a reminder of India's failure to build indigenous jet engine". ThePrint. Retrieved 26 November 2024.

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