India To Conduct Tests Of Subsonic Engine Meant For Military Drones

India will soon begin conducting flight tests of its first 400 kg thrust class Small Turbofan Engine (STFE) as a power plant for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) targeted for subsonic applications.

The state-funded Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) realised six prototype engines with 95% indigenous components last year.

The engines will be used as propulsion units for drones and have been bench-tested for maximum power and extremely cold weather conditions for 90 minutes of continuous operation.

The GTRE test was conducted at Bengaluru in southern India as well as at Leh in northern-most India, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

DRDO invited expressions of interest from Indian industries willing to work under technology terms for manufacturing and assembly of the engine last year in March.

"Further efforts are on to flight test the engine and to manufacture the same through Indian industries," the company stated further.