Maiden flight test of indigenous Power Take-Off shaft conducted on LCA Tejas

DRDO employs complex high speed rotor technology, which only a few countries possess

The Power Take-Off shaft, which is a critical component in the aircraft, will support the requirements of future fighter aircraft and their variants. | Photo Credit: PTI

The maiden flight test of the Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft was conducted on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in Bengaluru on Tuesday (March 14).

The PTO shaft, 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.

With this successful test, the DRDO has achieved a greater technological feat by employing complex high-speed rotor technology, which only a few countries have achieved.

The PTO shaft was designed with a unique, innovative patented Frequency Spanning Technique, which enables it to negotiate different operating engine speeds.

The lightweight highspeed, lubrication-free PTO shaft transmits higher power between the aircraft engine gearbox and Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gear Box while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line.

The PTO shaft is indigenously designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai.

Aeronautical Development Agency, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited worked with CVRDE to achieve this feat. The PTO shaft technology has already been transferred to Godrej & Boyce, Mumbai and Lakshmi Technology and Engineering, Coimbatore.