PTAE-7 engine, developed by HAL Engine Test Bed Research & Development Center (ETBR&DC) is a single rotor engine producing 380 kg of thrust at maximum RPM of 29500. It has an altitude of 10 kms and weighs 72 Kg. The engine has completed type certification and is flown on lakshya.

The rotary engine being developed for Nishant is a joint program between Vehicle Research Development Establishment ( VRDE ), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE). The engine has been test flown on Nishant and is awaiting the production of prototypes.

DRDO is working on an Integrated UAV engine development program with participation of academia. The development of engines in this program include Reciprocating gasoline engine for 120 hp class, Reciprocating heavy fuel engines for 150 hp class and turbofan engines of 250 and 500 kg class.

Some research projects include adapting low cost accessories of automobiles for UAV application, Solar cell, fuel Cell, thrust vectoring, low cost engine philosophy for one time use targets and propulsion system for small expendable aerial targets.

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HAL’s Engine Test Bed Research and Design Centre (ETBRDC) will work to produce the turbo-shaft engine for the proposed indigenous multi-role combat aircraft being designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).”Such an engine can alternatively be installed in the fifth generation fighter proposed to be developed jointly by India and Russia,” an official said.

ETBRDC is simultaneously being tasked to produce another twin spool turbofan engine to power an indigenous cruise missile. This engine will be jointly developed by the National Aeronautics Laboratory (NAL) and DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE).

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