DRDO VRDE Indigenous DIESEL ENGINE for MALE UAV

DIESEL ENGINE FOR RUSTOM-II UAV (Image DEFENCE EXPO 2020)

DIESEL ENGINE FOR RUSTOM-II UAV (Brochure DEFENCE EXPO 2020)

MAJOR SPECIFICATIONS :

Config. : 4-Stroke 4-Cylinder Inline, Turbocharged, Common Rail Direct Injection Engine

Max. Power : Min. 180 hp available upto 11,000 ft

Max. operating altitude : 32,000 ft

Best Economy SFC : < 210 g/kWh @ Sea Level

Type of Fuel : ATF K-50 and Diesel

Dry Weight : < 195 kg

Installed Weight : < 270 kg

 DIESEL ENGINE FOR RUSTOM-II UAV (Brochure DEFENCE EXPO 2020)

Diesel engine is developed by VRDE for RUSTOM-II UAV. Indigenously developed airworthy High power engine is producing take-off power of 180hp constant up to 11000 ft.

SALIENT FEATURES :

• Light weight cylinder block with aluminium alloy material

• Plasma iron coating on cylinder bore for wear resistance

• Deep skirt aluminium crankcase design

• Single speed gearbox with propeller pitch control

• Reduction gear box for higher thrust

• High power to weight ratio

• 2.5 kW aircraft alternator

• Indigenous full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system

• Proved target engine power at high altitude (11,000 ft and 17,500 ft)

• Engine performance, fuelling controls and starting strategy proved for higher altitudes

• Endurance testing successfully carried out for 500 hrs on accelerated mission cycle.

Diesel Engine for MALE UAV (Brochure DEFENCE EXPO 2022)

Specifications :

Indigenous Diesel Engine is high specific power compact & fuel efficient engine developed for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) TAPAS (Rustom-II) UAV. 

The engine develops take-off power of 180 hp up to 11000 ft. The engine is controlled by indigenously developed state of the art FADEC system. 

The engine is tested for high altitude performance at Leh (11,500 ft) and Changla (17,600 ft).

Type : 4-Stroke 4-Cylinder Inline

Max. Take-off Power : 180 hp available up to 11000 ft.

Max RPM : 3900 RPM

BSFC : 220 gm/kW.hr

Displacement : 2178 cc

Dry Weight : 195 kg

Other features : 

• Common Rail Direct Injection,

• FADEC,

• Turbocharged with Intercooling System

Features :

• Aluminum alloy Lightweight cylinder block

• Plasma coating on cylinder bore

• Deep skirt design

• Single speed reduction gearbox

• Higher power to weight ratio

• Multi-fuel capability Viz. ATF, Diesel

• Constant Speed propeller

• Glow plug control

• Indigenous Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System having:

Single lever control

Automatic pitch control

Dual channel, Redundant ECU

Engine health monitoring

DIESEL ENGINE FOR RUSTOM-II UAV (Image DEFENCE EXPO 2022)

 DIESEL ENGINE FOR RUSTOM-II UAV (Brochure AERO INDIA 2023)

2178 cc Four stroke, Inline four cylinder, Common Rail Direct Injection, Turbocharged Diesel engine fitted with Constant speed Propeller.

Technology Used :

• Aluminum alloy light weight cylinder block

• Plasma Coating in cylinder bore

• Single Speed Reduction Gear box

• Indigenous Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system having :

Single Lever Control

Automatic pitch control

Dual Channel, Redundant ECU

Engine Health Monitoring

Application : The engine developed for MALE UAVs.

Status : The prototype has been developed and performance proved at ground & high altitude at Leh (11,500 ft) and Changla (17,600 ft).

Industry Participation : M/s. Jayem Automotives Private Limited., Coimbatore.

Diesel Engine for MALE UAV (Images AERO INDIA 2023)

 DIESEL ENGINE FOR RUSTOM-II UAV (Brochure AERO INDIA 2025)

Engine Specification : 2.2 L, 4-Stroke, 4-Cyl Inline, Turbocharged, Common Rail, Direct Injection Engine

Max Power : 180hp available up to 11,000 ft

Operating Altitude : 32,000 ft

Best Economy SFC : < 210 g/kWh @ Sea Level

Fuel Type : Diesel and ATF K-50

Dry Engine weight : <195 Kg

Installed Engine weight : <270 Kg

FADEC : Full Authority Digital Engine Control systems often incorporate redundancy management to enhance safety and reliability.

Diesel Engine for MALE UAV (Images AERO INDIA 2025)

New Updates

MoD Annual Report 2024-25

Diesel Engine from Conversion of Automotive Engine for Rustom-II UAV

The high specific power airworthy diesel engine is being designed and developed for Tactical Airborne Platform for Advanced Surveillance (TAPAS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Indigenously developed engine is capable of producing takeoff power of 180 hp and is expected to replace the imported engine which is currently integrated with TAPAS UAV. During 2024, 650 Hrs Beta Engine Design Validation testing was completed and Integration of Engine on R-II AF-9 Airframe & Engine Ground run through Ground Control Station (GCS) was successfully conducted

08 March 2025

Indigenous UAV Engine ground testing video report by Manish Kumar Jha of Sansad TV

Tapas UAV engine test : Push make in India story. I fully support this indigenous effort

FADEC system engine, flew 18000ft, it offers higher potential to go 32000ft. We should not kill it, rather nurture it, R&D on it.

I witnessed a great effort by this MSME.

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1627612223660236801