SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has announced that the Kaveri derivative engine is gearing up for another significant phase of testing. This round involves 70 hours of crucial flight trials on a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 testbed, a process expected to span nearly a month.
The technology demonstrator engines have already logged over 140 hours of testing. This includes 70 hours of ground testing at GTRE’s facility in Bangalore and an additional 75 hours of altitude testing at the Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) in Russia.
The upcoming trials will leverage newly manufactured engines from Godrej Aerospace, focusing on performance at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. This phase aims to further validate the engine’s capabilities under extreme flight conditions.
A team of 20 scientists from GTRE will be collaborating with Russian counterparts to ensure the success of this program. An Il-76 aircraft has been specifically modified to serve as a Flying Test Bed (FTB) for these trials. One of the aircraft’s four engines was replaced with the Kaveri engine, involving extensive modifications as the aircraft will be equipped with necessary sensors and data collection tools for the trials along with Mechanical, electrical, and fuel systems that will be adapted to work with the Kaveri engine also Engine’s operation is to manage from the cockpit, with performance data both recorded onboard and relayed to ground stations via telemetry.
Prior to the flight trials, numerous taxi tests are to be conducted to ensure the Kaveri engine’s integration with the Il-76 was seamless and safe for flight operations. The primary goal of these trials is to assess the engine’s reliability, efficiency, and performance at high altitudes. The data collected will be crucial for further refining the engine’s design, addressing any issues detected during previous tests, and pushing towards certification for operational use.
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