India's Kaveri dry engine has completed high-altitude and flight trials in Russia, recording a peak dry thrust of 48.5 kilonewtons (kN) against its target of about 46 kN. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), the engine is being developed for India's planned Ghatak stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), a TOI report stated.
The Kaveri Derivative Engine is a non-afterburning version of the original Kaveri engine. It is designed for aircraft that do not require the additional thrust provided by an afterburner. The latest trials are an important step before the engine can move towards airworthiness certification and eventual integration with its intended platform.
