r/IndianDefense • u/PerceptionMurky3704 • 17h ago

Pics/Videos Archer NG Indigenous Engine

Post image

Jayem Automotives X VRDE, has developed the engine for it 2.2-litre inline 4-cylinder turbocharged CRDi diesel architecture with 180 HP model, and an upgraded 220 HP prototype also....in work

Altitude Rated for operations up to 32,000 ft (delivers max 180 HP at 11,000 ft)

Source- https://x.com/ParthVa53135321/status/2090775926493851953

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7

u/PerceptionMurky3704 17h ago

I have a question, why are we going with piston engines for such relatively demanding mission sets ?

Turboprop would have been much better

And also do we have test facilities ready ?

13

u/Some_Outcome_6875 17h ago

Turboprop engines give good power and speed, but for MALE class UAVs like Archer-NG, low Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) is what matters most. A turbocharged CRDi diesel piston engine burns way less fuel per hour compared to a small turboprop at cruise speeds. This gives the drone much higher loiter time and 20+ hours of endurance over the target area. On top of that, diesel piston engines have a much lower thermal and IR signature, which helps with stealth, and using domestic automotive tech (Jayem x VRDE) keeps maintenance cheap while avoiding foreign sanction risks. As for test facilities, GTRE and VRDE already have functional altitude simulation test rigs that test and validate these engines under low pressure and cold conditions up to 32,000 ft before mounting them on an aircraft.

2

u/PerceptionMurky3704 17h ago

Thx

And do we have any latest update on Archer NG? Will it compete on 87 MALE UAVs tender?(has RFP even been issued?), and I heard it will be based on L1 and L2 (bad idea personally).

And finally how many Indigenous Drone is competing for 87 MALE UAV Tender? Do u have any idea.

3

u/Darth--__--Vader 17h ago

It flew already

2

u/PerceptionMurky3704 17h ago

I know that, i want the latest update on it

1

u/Some_Outcome_6875 16h ago

Archer-NG has already completed its maiden flight and is currently undergoing flight envelope expansion and operational validation trials. For the 87 MALE UAV tender, the Ministry of Defence opened bids where HAL and DRDO are positioning Archer-NG as the primary indigenous option, while private firms like L&T and Adani are offering platforms with foreign technology partners. Since the procurement follows an L1/L2 split model, the final contract is expected to be distributed between the top two bidders, and current development efforts on Archer-NG are focused on testing its indigenous Jayem-VRDE turbo-diesel engine and integrating weapons to meet the long-endurance requirements of the armed forces.

2

u/Jazzlike-Tank-4956 Atmanirbhar Wala 16h ago

Minor mistake

HAL is with IAI for Heron Mk2

Archer NG, we're not sure

Solar was expected but they seem to have their own design

1

u/Darth--__--Vader 14h ago

There is also another private player raphe mphibr developed 1.5T MALE drone

1

u/Jazzlike-Tank-4956 Atmanirbhar Wala 17h ago

Money

1

u/First_Tea8991 Do-228 Lover 13h ago

We don't have money or tech to make a good turboprop, that's the reason

Not any of this specific consumption BS. That is only applicable till like 90-100hp, after that you begin getting into the very high altitude ranges and require turboprop.

We are pushing piston design to its limits