A successful flight-test of power take off (PTO) shaft was conducted on the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in Bengaluru on Tuesday, said the defence ministry in a statement.

The PTO shaft is indigenously designed and developed by Chennai-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the statement added. 

The maiden successful flight-test of PTO shaft was conducted on LCA Tejas Limited Series Production (LSP)-3 aircraft. 

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

"The PTO shaft, which is 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," the official statement read, adding that it was "designed with a unique innovative patented 'Frequency Spanning Technique' which enables it to negotiate different operating engine speeds," it said.

"The light weight, high speed, lubrication free PTO shaft transmits higher power between aircraft engine gear box and aircraft mounted accessory gearbox while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line," the ministry added.

Lauding this great accomplishment, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said, "The success showed the country's research capability and will actively support the test aircraft programmes." 

Notably, the PTO shaft technology has already been transferred to Godrej & Boyce (Mumbai) and Lakshmi Technology and Engineering (Coimbatore). 
 

Image courtesy: PIB