Lockdown relaxation DRDO develops complex tech for jet engine parts
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a complicated technology that helps it forge critical components for aircraft engines. Few countries have the capability so far, the DRDO stated in a press release.
The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), a premier metallurgical laboratory of DRDO at Hyderabad, used nearisothermal forging technology to produce all the five stages of high-pressure compressor (HPC) discs.
In an isothermal process, the temperature of a system remains constant despite the differing temperatures of the inputs. The DRDO said this is a crucial technology for establishing selfreliance in aircraft engine technology.
The DMRL worked on titanium alloy, which is acknowledged to be difficult to deform, using its unique 2,000 MT isothermal forge press. The technology was transferred to Midhani (Mishra Dhatu Hyderabad.
The DRDO said 200 HPC discs were jointly produced by DMRL and Midhani and supplied to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, to be fitted into the Adour engine that powers the Jaguar and Hawk aircraft. The annual requirements of these high-value HPC discs are quite large, warranting indigenisation.
DMRL developed this forging technology by integrating various science and knowledge-based tools. DRDO said the methodology is generic in nature and can be tuned to develop other similar aero engine components.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the scientists of DRDO, industry and all other agencies involved in the development of the critical aero enginerelated technology. Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, DRDO chairman and secretary, department of defence research and development, expressed satisfaction on achieving this crucial milestone.
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