Kaveri Engine Ready for Inflight Testing
India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has made advancements with the Kaveri engine, which is now ready for inflight testing, marking a very important moment in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in aerospace technology, particularly for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Background of the Kaveri Engine The Kaveri engine development began in the late 1980s to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. Initial designs faced technical challenges, leading to a shift in focus towards a modified “dry” version suitable for UAVs. Technical Specifications The dry version of the Kaveri engine generates thrust between 49-51 kN. This thrust level is adequate for UAVs, such as the Ghatak stealth drone. Future enhancements aim to incorporate an afterburner, potentially increasing thrust to 73-75 kN for more demanding applications. Extensive testing has been conducted, including trials in both Russia and India. The engine has successfully passed critical ground and high-altitude tests, demonstrat...