SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant leap forward for India’s indigenous aero-engine development, BrahMos Aerospace has been entrusted with designing a new afterburner section for the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE), a critical component of the long-standing Kaveri engine program led by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE), a non-afterburning (dry) variant of the Kaveri, has been developed to produce a stable dry thrust of 49kN, making it suitable for applications like the DRDO Ghatak stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). However, for manned fighter jets, an afterburner is essential to provide the additional thrust needed for combat maneuvers and supersonic flight. The new afterburner section, designed by BrahMos Aerospace, is expected to add 29.4kN of thrust—approximately 60% of the KDE’s dry thrust—bringing the combined wet thrust to an impressive 78.4kN.
One of the standout features of the Kaveri engine is its flat-rated design, which ensures consistent thrust output even in India’s hot and humid climatic conditions. Unlike the GE F-404 engine, which loses nearly 8% of its rated 84kN thrust (resulting in an effective thrust of around 77.3kN in Indian conditions), the Kaveri core maintains its performance across diverse environmental challenges. If the KDE with the new afterburner can reliably demonstrate 78.4kN of combined thrust, as told to idrw.org based on insider inputs, it would effectively match or surpass the F-404’s performance in India’s operational environment—a significant milestone for indigenous engine development.
This achievement would not only validate the Kaveri program’s potential but also position it as a viable alternative to foreign engines in India’s fighter fleet. The IAF’s Tejas Mk1A, currently powered by the F-404, could potentially transition to the Kaveri engine, reducing import dependency and enhancing strategic autonomy in defence manufacturing.
The new afterburner’s ability to add 29.4kN of thrust represents a significant improvement over past efforts, ensuring that the KDE can achieve a combined thrust of 78.4kN. This figure not only surpasses the previous best of 73-74kN but also brings the Kaveri engine tantalizingly close to the thrust levels required for modern fighter jets, paving the way for further enhancements in the program.
While the projected thrust of 78.4kN is a promising benchmark, several challenges remain. The new afterburner must undergo rigorous ground and flight testing to validate its performance, reliability, and durability under real-world conditions. Issues like weight optimization, combustion stability, and long-term endurance—persistent hurdles in the Kaveri program—will need to be addressed to ensure the engine meets the IAF’s stringent requirements.
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