Plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and French aero engine maker Safran S.A have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the development of a high thrust engine. The Aero Engine Research and Design Centre (AERDC) of the HAL is developing HTFE-25 engine, a 25 kn turbofan engine for powering medium thrust class aircraft. Safran was also in talks with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to participate in the 82 kn Kaveri turbofan engine.
“The MoU’s scope encompasses a wide spectrum, including transfer of key manufacturing technologies, manufacturing & MRO of M88 (Rafale) and other engines, development and production of high thrust aero-engines related to cooperation,” states the HAL press release.
Safran has been already involved with the HAL helicopter engines that power HAL’s helicopters like Chetak, Cheetal, Light Utility Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopter. HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines have successfully co-developed ‘Shakti’ Engine for Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Helicopter. HAL has manufactured more than 450 Shakti engines in India at HAL Engine Division in Bengaluru.
EFDU certification
HAL received the Provisional Certificate from CEMILAC for the Engine and Flight Display Unit (EFDU) indigenously developed for Jaguar DARIN III fighter aircraft platform.
The EFDU developed by Mission and Combat Systems R & D Centre (MCSRD&C), HAL is a flight critical system displaying engine fuel and flight parameters required for flying the aircraft. In case of failure of the primary flight display unit, EFDU provides necessary engine, fuel, hydraulics and navigation data required for get-you-home functionality on a single 4”X5” AMl LCD display. This EFDU will replace an Imported Engine and Flight Instrument System (EFIS) Unit.
HAL and Rolls-Royce MoUs for Adour and Trent Engines
The HAL and Rolls-Royce are expanding the supply chain for both Civil and Defence Aerospace and establishing an authorized maintenance centre for Adour Mk871 engines to support Rolls-Royce’s global customers. The Indian made Rolls-Royce engines will be supported by HAL under license from Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce and HAL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an Authorized Maintenance Centre for Adour Mk871 at HAL to support international military customers and operators. HAL already has the capabilities and capacity to support a larger customer base, with over 30 years’ experience in MRO of the Adour engines in India, under license from Rolls-Royce.
The two companies have also signed a ‘Letter of Intent’ (LoI) to work towards making Adour Mk871 engine parts in India for several international customers. In addition, HAL has recently been awarded new business with Rolls-Royce to supply forgings including shrouds, cases and seals for Rolls-Royce’s Trent family of engines and for the Pearl 15 engines. These parts would be manufactured at HAL’s Foundry and Forge Division at its state-of-the-art facility in Bengaluru.