Bengaluru / New Delhi: Indigenously designed and developed by Chennai-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),  the power take off (PTO) shaft was successfully flight-tested on March 14. The flight-test of power PTO shaft was conducted on the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in Bengaluru, the defence ministry said in a statement. The PTO is a critical equipment that transmits power from aircraft engine to gearbox.

According to the ministry, the maiden successful flight-test of PTO shaft was conducted on LCA Tejas Limited Series Production (LSP)-3 aircraft. “With this successful test, the DRDO has achieved a greater technological feat by realisation of complex high-speed rotor technology which only few countries have achieved,” it said.

“The PTO shaft, which is a critical component in the aircraft, will support the requirements of future fighter aircraft and their variants and offers competitive cost and reduced time of availability. The PTO shaft was designed with a unique innovative patented ‘Frequency Spanning Technique’ which enables it to negotiate different operating engine speeds,” the defence ministry said in a statement. “The light weight, high speed, lubrication free PTO shaft transmits higher power between aircraft engine gear box and aircraft mounted accessory gearbox while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line,” the ministry added.

The successful realisation of PTO shaft is another major milestone towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He complimented the DRDO, public sector undertakings concerned and the industry. DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat stated that the success showcased the country’s research capability and will actively support the test aircraft programmes.