Why jet engine is a big deal

Subject :Science and technology

Section: Defence

Context:

India-USA may announce the agreement to facilitate the transfer of at least 11 critical jet engine technologies.

Details:

The is between America’s General Electric (GE) and India’s HAL for the manufacture under licence in India of GE’s F414 engine for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2.

The GE-414 engine:

The turbo engine has been in use by the US Navy for more than 30 years.
The engines are in the thrust class of 22,000 lb or 98 kN and feature advanced technology such as Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC)– the latest aircraft ignition and engine control system that controls engine performance digitally- according to GE.
The use of advanced material and cooling techniques improves performance and extends component life.

F414-powered jets:

Eight nations have F414-powered aircraft in operation.
F414-GE-400 engines power the US Navy’s Boeing F/A- 18E/F Super Hornet and EA18G Growler electric attack aircraft.
Saab’s Gripen E/F fighters use the F414G, the single-engine variant of the F414-GE-400.
As per the company, it can also power emerging platforms like Korean KF-X.

For Indian aircraft:

The India-specific version of the engine F414-INS6 was selected by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO for the LCA Tejas Mk2.
The LCA-Tejas is powered by a single GE-404-IN20 engine. The GE-404 engine, the basic design of which has been replicated in the F414, was developed in the 1970s.
F414 engines may also power the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s futuristic fifth-generation fighter aircraft for its airforce.
Safran and HAL have co-developed the Shakti engine for indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and LCH Prachand.

Significance of the deal:

Only US, Russia, the UK and France have mastered the technology of this engine.
It is a major push for self-reliance in manufacturing several critical technologies, including cryogenic rockets engine.
Earlier the DRDO developed the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), which developed the GTX-37 engine for the LCA. Later the Kaveri engine project was sanctioned in late 1989 but found unsuitable for fighter aircraft.