DRDO-VRDE - Engine Developments For UAVs
DRDO-VRDE - Engine Developments For UAVs
DRDO-VRDE - Engine Developments For UAVs
for a human operator onboard. the UAVs can also perform such scientific, public safety and commercial
Engines for unmanned aerial vehicle applications that require 120 hp or less are typically based on spark ignition, reciprocating internal combustion engines using gasoline or similar fuels. The engine construction includes 2-stroke, 4-stroke (naturally aspirated and boosted) as well as rotary style engines. New requirements are also dictating the need for the use of new light weight materials and multi fuel capabilities.
- Ratio of the order of 2 or more. Long Endurance Mission duration of 20-50 hours or more. Duty Cycle Demanding duty cycle with high Altitude take off. Compactness Low Volume Simple Maintainability Robustness, lower skills ground crews. Signature Low heat signature/EMC
MALE
MALE HALE / TCUAV
Piston (4 X 4)
Turbo Prop Turbo Jet / Fan
90 250
250 500 Above 500
VRDE has been tasked for development of mini UAVs of less than 150kg class. It is also involved in the development of small, low weight, high-specific power output engines. VRDE has successfully developed a few two stroke engines and have been tested.
Development of Wankel Rotary Engine was taken up in collaboration with NAL and ADE and has been realised successfully with completely indigenous technologies. Currently development of engines of higher class is in progress.
Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Ahmednagar
Four-cylinder 37 hp engine
Two-cylinder 21 hp engine
Single-cylinder 11 hp engine
4.50 4.00 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
RPM
70.0
50.0
Thrust (kg)
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0 3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
RPM
The engine is jointly designed and developed by NAL, VRDE and ADE.
The engine weighs less than 30 Kgs, and has high power to weight ratio in single rotor category.
The engine has a power of 55 hp and can also be used for powering smaller air vehicles.
55 HP ROTARY ENGINE
Power output Swept Volume Compression Ratio Min SFC Idle Speed Ignition System 55HP@ 8000rpm 324 CC 9.2 250 gm/bhp-hr 2700-2900 rpm Electronic 28v CD Ignition
Cooling
Thrustin kgf
Various testings carried out: - Thrust cradle testing - Dynamometer testing - Running-in testing - Endurance testing
Power HP
75 2 Kg
6000 RPM 36+ hours -40C to +55 C 2300 to 2500 rpm
Most of the MALE UAVs are fitted with four-stroke four-cylinder engines For 125 HP engine for MALE UAV, a 1500 2000cc engine will be adequate for meeting the requirements Four-cylinder Horizontally opposed four-stroke engine configuration with Turbocharger will serve the purpose of propulsion system for INDIAs version of MALE UAV RUSTOM
LIMBACH (GERMANY)
DIESEL UAV ENGINES Highly Fuel-efficient than present gasoline engines Strategically suitable for single fuel concept
HYDROGEN OPERATED ENGINES Suitable for very high altitude operation Highly complex challenging technology Very long endurance is possible
1. Causes a specific gasoline logistics train since most military vehicle use
diesel fuel.
2. Gasoline vapor is explosive, hence is a hazard to the aircraft and ships that transport it. 3. Gasoline engines are less efficient than heavy fuel engines thus providing shorter flight/loiter times.
Reliability
Maintenance Turbocharge
and supercharge
Fuel economy Durability Efficiency
DIESEL UAV ENGINES GAP DIESEL ENGINE DYNA CAM ENGINE ECOMOTORS DIESEL ENGINE AUSTRO ENGINE AE 300 DELTA HAWK DIESEL ENGINE CENTURIONS DIESEL AIR LIMITED
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