The Pilotless Target Aircraft Engine PTAE-7 is the first ever flight worthy gas turbine engine designed and developed in India.
The Pilotless Target Aircraft Engine PTAE-7 is the first ever flight worthy gas turbine engine designed and developed in India.
PTAE-7 is developed by Engine Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore, and powers the pilotless target aircraft (PTA) Lakshya-1, developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment.
Lakshaya is launched from a zero length launcher using solid propellant rocket motor, and later sustained by the turbojet engine in flight.
PTAE-7 is a single shaft, lightweight, low-cost, short-life turbojet engine. The engine features a four-stage transonic axial compressor, a single-stage turbine, an annular flow combustion chamber and 16 fuel flow burners.
The PTAE-7 develops a thrust of 380 kg.f at ISA sea level static conditions with a specific fuel consumption of 1.15 kg./kg.f/hr. It has a length of 1.27 m and a maximum diameter of 330 mm., and weighs 65 kg. The engine features protection against sea water corrosion so that it can be used again after its recovery from sea.
Lakshya-1 is used a high performance reusable target drone, which can realistically simulates enemy aircraft for air-to-air and surface-to-air weapon system operators and permits proficiency assessment and improvement of weapon crew in live fire engagement. Lakshaya can also simulate targets towed from it.
India is the fifth nation after United States, Russia, France and the U.K. to developed this class of turbojet engine.
