Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane inaugurated a new design and test facility at HAL Aero Engine Research and Development Centre, Bengaluru.

New Design And Test Facility For Aero Engine R&D

The AERDC is currently involved in the design and development of several new engines including two strategic engines – Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine of 25 kN thrust for powering trainers, UAVs, twin-engine small fighter aircraft or regional jets, and Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine of 1200 kN thrust. The new state-of-the-art facility houses special machines, advanced setups leveraging on computational tools, in-house fabrication facility and two test beds for testing HTFE-25 and one testbed each for testing HTSE-1200 and upcoming JV engine for IMRH to be co-developed by Safran, France and HAL.

In addition, the newly developed facility has setups for testing Air Producer of Jaguar, Gas Turbine Starter Unit-110 M2 and 127E of LCA, Auxiliary Power Units of IMRH, AMCA, and Gas Turbine Electrical Generator (GTEG)-60 for An-32 aircraft, HAL further said. Setups to carry out various critical tests for engine components and Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) have also been established within the new facility

The new facility spanning over 10,000 sq m has been established under a modernisation plan, he said.

AERDC’s Distinct Legacy

Established in the 1960s, the AERDC holds a unique distinction as the only design house that has developed test beds for engines of both Western and Russian origin. Its rich legacy includes the successful development & certification of various engines, including the PTAE-7 engine, the first indigenous turbojet engine of India.

HAL

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is an Indian public sector aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bangalore. Established on 23 December 1940, HAL is one of the oldest and largest aerospace and defence manufacturers in the world.

Founder: Walchand Hirachand

Headquarters: India

Founded: 23 December 1940, Bengaluru