New Delhi: Bharat Forge Limited and Pratt & Whitney Canada on September 15 announced that they will work together to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme designed and developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Pratt & Whitney is an RTX business.
The collaboration supports India’s indigenous unmanned aerial systems efforts under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Pratt & Whitney Canada will evaluate engine compatibility, performance and installation requirements. Bharat Forge will lead engine-airframe integration, including installation design and systems interfaces, drawing on its advanced engineering, manufacturing and aerospace systems capabilities.
“Bharat Forge Aerospace business is proud to collaborate with Pratt & Whitney Canada to advance India’s indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities,” said Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd.
“By combining Pratt & Whitney’s globally proven propulsion technologies with Bharat Forge’s engineering and systems integration expertise, we aim to support development of a world-class HALE platform that strengthens India’s strategic self-reliance and defence preparedness,” he added.
“This collaboration with Bharat Forge reflects our continued commitment to supporting India’s aerospace and defence ambitions,” said Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Head, Pratt & Whitney.
“Pratt & Whitney Canada’s turboprop engines have a proven legacy of reliability in demanding operational environments, which is exactly what’s needed for India’s HALE programme,” added Ashish Saraf.
HALE UAVs provide long-endurance surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance across land and maritime domains.
