F404-GE-IN20 engines to power first operational squadron of Tejas LCA

Bangalore: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has placed an order for 24 General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan afterburning engines, which will used to power the first operational squadron of the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) of the Indian Air Force.

The value of the order is said to be in excess of $100 million and is a follow-up on an initial purchase of 17 F404-GE-IN20 engines, which were used to power a limited series of operational production aircraft and naval prototypes. The F404-GE-IN20 was installed in the LCA earlier this year as part of final evaluations toward flight-testing, scheduled for mid-2007.

The F404-IN-20 engine generates more than 19,000 pounds of uninstalled thrust and has completed 330 hours of accelerated mission testing, which is the equivalent of 1000 hours of flight operation.

The F404-GE-IN20 is the successor to eight F404-F2J3 development engines used in nearly 600 flights. The F404-GE-IN20 is the highest-rated F404 model and includes a higher-flow fan, increased thrust, a full authority digital electronic control (FADEC) system and single-crystal turbine blades.

F404 engines power combat aircraft flown by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as countries throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. More than 4000 of these engines are currently in operation.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company, is a manufacturer of jet engines for civil and military aircraft.