The engine that powers Boeing Super Hornet, Growler, and Tejas: What's special about F414-INS6 that GE and HAL will produce in India?

The aviation world is buzzing with the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marking a significant step in advancing defence cooperation between India and the United States. The announcement of the mega agreement came just hours after a meeting in Washington between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and GE chairman H Lawrence Culp Jr.  This groundbreaking agreement initiates the joint production of GE's F414 engines in India, a high-end technology that will be integrated into various aircraft, including the Tejas Light Combat Mk2, Super Hornets, Growlers and Gripens.

Let's delve deeper into the special features of the F414-INS6 engine and the impact of its production in India.

F414-INS6: The powerhouse jet engine

The F414-INS6 engine is a variant of the globally acclaimed F414-GE-100 turbofan engine used in the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Known for its improved thrust, Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, and single-engine safety features, the F414-INS6 offers high performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, making it an ideal choice for India. With an impressive track record of over 5 million engine flight hours, the F414 engines have powered multiple aircraft, including the US Navy's Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and Saab's Gripen E/F fighters.

Technical specs of F414-INS6

The F414-INS6 engine is a high-performance turbofan engine that features cutting-edge technology. Key technical specifications of the engine include:

Thrust Class: Produces over 22,000 pounds (98 kN) of thrust in afterburner mode.

Fan Stage: The engine features a three-stage fan and a seven-stage high-pressure compressor.

Engine Cycle: Advanced two-spool design with three-stage fan, seven-stage high-pressure compressor, annular combustor, single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a two-stage low-pressure turbine.

FADEC: Comes with a full authority digital electronic control system, enhancing the engine's safety and operational capabilities.

Physical Attributes: The engine's length is approximately 154 inches, and its maximum diameter is around 35 inches.

Notable aircraft powered by the F414 engines include:

Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: A carrier-capable multirole fighter jet utilised by the United States Navy and Australia.

Boeing EA-18G Growler: An electronic warfare version of the Super Hornet, primarily used by the United States Navy.

Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen: A Swedish multi-role fighter aircraft.

HAL Tejas Mk2: An upcoming Indian multirole light fighter aircraft, which will be equipped with the F414-INS6 variant.

The impact of joint production of jet engines in India

The collaboration between GE Aerospace and HAL for local production of F414 engines signifies a landmark development in India's pursuit of advanced combat jet engine technology. Previously, India faced challenges in developing its own jet engines, with projects like the Kaveri engine facing setbacks. This new agreement brings India closer to realizing its ambitious plans for indigenous fighter aircraft development.

A remarkable aspect of this deal is the extensive Transfer of Technology (ToT), which is expected to start around 78-80 per cent and potentially reach 100 per cent in the future. The ToT will cover various areas such as turbine blade coating and machining, hot end part coating and machining, blisk machining, powder metallurgy, polymer matrix composites, and laser drilling for combustion.