The first test of a 25kN aero engine core designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was successfully completed on Monday, December 14, 2015.
Also known as the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25), it has been designed for basic, intermediate and advanced trainer aircraft; business jets; and five-metric ton weight class aircraft as a single engine, and on nine-metric ton classes with twin-engine configuration.
The Aero Engine Research & Design Centre (AERDC), HAL, Bangalore, India, had taken up the design and development of a 25kN thrust class turbofan engine for basic military trainer aircraft within a time frame of six years starting in 2013. In the first phase of the program, the design of the full engine and manufacture and testing of the technology demonstrator of the core engine are covered. In the subsequent phases the manufacture and testing of the full engine will follow, said a press release.
A design and development project for the Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE-1200) for helicopters was launched on the same day. The HTSE-1200 can be used for rotorcraft up to 3.5 metric tons in a single-engine configuration and for 5 to 8 tons as twin-engine designs. The engine will develop a power of 1200kW at sea level and can operate up to an altitude of 7km. HAL has undertaken this project as well with an aim of developing the capability of indigenous design and development of turboshaft engines.
Image courtesy of: HAL
December 18, 2015
