bala wrote: ↑12 Nov 2023 22:58
Alpha Defense is claiming some new angle on the Kaveri Engine development. I still don't understand the babugiri in engine development and counting paisa while the big picture is Bharat is on its way to becoming truly #3 in the world shortly. Big guy status requires big thinking and funding should be no issue, taxes are regularly increasing year by year and so is GST collection. Recently there is hickups in GE 404 engine order, does India want continued dependence or true ATMA Nirbharta as guide post. Any money spent would be recouped over time manifold times. Indian defense ministry should understand necessity of indigenous jet engines for aircraft - tis a no brainer. Speed of project development requires money, certification requires money, baniya counting rupees is stupid to say the least, what is the point. Prevarication has caused delays in numerous projects throughout Indian defense acquisition programs, the babus, mantrijis and decision makers all make everything as enemy of best when good enough for India is the first start which we can all live with in the interim. Engine development in all spheres is a priority. Kaveri engine 1st version has potential in Naval engines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj0A5Uno04Y
Good video and analysis ... but somewhat muddled, I must say.
Summary is:
1) Trying to
revive the indigenous military turbofan design and dev initiative via a re-initiated Kaveri program route via
a) Pitching it as an engine-replacement option for Mk1 and MK1a platforms, 10-15 years down the line
b) Leverage the turbofan Testing and Infra developed for the AMCA joint-dev program, for doing so
2) But to sell the idea to the Baboons, "something new capability" needs to be talked about
(as these Baboon gens don't have any idea about tech design and dev initiatives but they lord over budget sanctions and program approvals)
So, the
new capability of 3D vectoring is being proposed - it will be easier for the Baboon gens to "show something" if, a BIG IF, they were to approve a re-initiation program.
3) Real aim is to,
a) in short term get the K9, as is, flying on a LCA PV (or LSP) platform -
and baseline it (the Gas generator, Fan, LPT, A/B architecture etc)
b) in medium term (my guess/speculation, not mentioned in the video) in parallel to the baselining of the K9 platform
i)
achieve 100-150kg weight reduction - This is via using next-gen materials (e.g Polymer Matrix Composites, CMC, Aluminium MMCs etc) for around 50-60 odd LRUs mostly to Shrouds/Casings etc
(e.g. recently unveiled PMC based By-Pass Duct achieved weight reduction of 6 Kgs - from 32kgs to 26Kgs, so approx 20%)
ii) Introduce
blisks to the LPC and the HPC stages (say, first 3-4 stages)
iii) Maybe a brand-new A/B design, but most certainly the
new Fan from the Kaveri-dry engine program
iv) Maybe,
small improvements to the HPC efficiency (via end-wall contouring to prevent secondary losses, better distribution of Mach number across blade surface etc - pls refer to my earlier posts)
c) In the long run (again my guess/pure speculation),
i) Get a
3-D vectoring variant developed
ii) Graduate to a
F414 thrust-level variant (62KN (dry) / 95KN (wet)) -
introduction of indigenous SC HPT and LPT blades and vanes, PM turbine discs and the works (refer to my earlier posts).
Also other day saw somewhere, can't remember now where, some tender (from GTRE) details asking for "Machining, cooling-holes drilling, Brazing and EBPVD/TBC of GTRE-supplied SC HPT blades and vanes castings" etc)
Otherwise, why on earth would IAF agree to have a 52-53KN/84-86KN indigenous variant, anywhere near the Mk1/1A re-engining initiatives, when F414 "indigenous screwdrivergiri" would be in full swing by then.
But, I guess there's no other way, to keep the indigenous turbofan design and development initiatives alive - especially in face of so much of institutional hostility all around!!
The "lost" last decade
towards it, was barely survived via the "dry variant" D&D, and now with that well on it's way towards certification etc, a new initiative is needed desperately.
From the Raksha Mantri's twitter account...
