Small Turbojet Engine Developments in India for UCAV & Missile Applications
- Thread starter Himanshu
- Start date
Some pretty powerful micro-turbos in that catalogue. I wonder if they will be able to scale up independently.
This must be for same application as above ?
my personal opinion/understanding is that for an air launched mission, the payload needs to be heavy enough even if swarm capacity available. Each mission cost significant money & risk factor so the outcome needs to be definitive, and puny 15-20 kg payload with subsonic speed is kinda meh.
Increasing the payload is a step up and that is where the game is, that is a step ie scaling up to deliver a 150-350kg class payload is where all the pvt companies struggle naturally due to not enough core knowledge/competence available. A prototype small scale building is good, but to have it scaled up & ruggedize it is very critical. Despite years of effort & trying DRDO still could not fit a 450-550kg class warhead into Brahmos without sacrificing major plus points of it (speed during cruise phase and altitude of flight while keeping 2 other characteristics).
my personal opinion/understanding is that for an air launched mission, the payload needs to be heavy enough even if swarm capacity available. Each mission cost significant money & risk factor so the outcome needs to be definitive, and puny 15-20 kg payload with subsonic speed is kinda meh.
Increasing the payload is a step up and that is where the game is, that is a step ie scaling up to deliver a 150-350kg class payload is where all the pvt companies struggle naturally due to not enough core knowledge/competence available. A prototype small scale building is good, but to have it scaled up & ruggedize it is very critical. Despite years of effort & trying DRDO still could not fit a 450-550kg class warhead into Brahmos without sacrificing major plus points of it (speed during cruise phase and altitude of flight while keeping 2 other characteristics).
20kg payload is good enough if the system is pretty compact. We need our own small diameter cruise missiles that are cheap, can be swarmed and are hence lower RCS. A stealthier version of this is still more desirable.
Instead of comparing it to a full size cruise missile, compare this mini cruise missile to the loitering munitions we are making , like sheshnag-150 featuring a 25–40 kg warhead capacity.
It will sacrifice range and loitering capabilities for more speed compared to sheshnag-150.
But then again, price matters. imo, It won't be attractive to buy if its price is higher than 300k dollars.
That missile (in the CAD/CAM screen grab) looks almost identical externally to Tomahawk Block 4, down to the nose chine!
To your point, a small warhead isn't a problem for a loitering cruise missile. It seems to be designed to pick out and attack targets of opportunity with high precision. Conceptually similar to the Israeli Delilah.
It can complement larger, more expensive alcms in IAF service.
D-Propulse Aerospace raises ₹25 crore from IAN Alpha Fund
Hypersonic Systems: D-Propulse Aerospace has raised ₹25 crore from IAN Alpha Fund to further develop its innovative rotating detonation engine technology, aimed at transforming high-speed aerospace and defense systems in India.
b2b.economictimes.indiatimes.com
D-Propulse Aerospace raises ₹25 crore from IAN Alpha Fund
Hypersonic Systems: D-Propulse Aerospace has raised ₹25 crore from IAN Alpha Fund to further develop its innovative rotating detonation engine technology, aimed at transforming high-speed aerospace and defense systems in India.
DeepPropulse Aerospace has secured ₹25 crore in seed funding led by IAN Alpha Fund to build the future of high-speed flight: Indigenous Rotating Detonation Engines (RDE):
India Finally has a Startup working on Futuristic Rotating detonation Engine (RDE). D-Propulse, has already demonstrated a 5kN demonstrator. TRL 4 has been achieved,based in IITM.
Suggestions:
* CSIR-NAL NJ-5 Micro Gas Turbine Engine
* SGTE NJ-100, ~1kN
* ATGG
* Vayuvaya Defence, 4kN
* dPropulse RDE, 5kN
* For lack of a better name #4 is SGTJE
* Green Aero #21 tied up with L&T
* How about ICE engines as well?
+ Jayem - 220HP & 180HP
+ CSIR-NAL Wankel Rotary Combustion Engine - 30, 55 & 65 HP
Info dump to help with your research:
Link: Tiny Engines, Mighty Skies: The CSIR-NAL Gas Turbine Breakthrough
NJ-5 Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) [50 N]
Notes
- Thrust: 50 N
- Platforms: High-speed UAVs, Loitering Munitions
- Designer: CSIR-NAL
NJ-100 Small Gas Turbine Engine (SGTE) [1 kN]
Notes
- Thrust:1080 N
- Platforms: Tactical UAVs and Cruise Missiles
- Other variants: 0.55 kN (NJ-50)