Question: Which organisation has developed single-crystal blades technology for helicopters in India?
(a) DRDO
(b) Bharat Earth Movers Ltd
(c) Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
(d) Bharat Electronics Ltd
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- In a major technological breakthrough, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed single crystal blade technology.
- DRDO has supplied 60 of these blades to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as part of their indigenous helicopter development programme for engine application.
- The DRDO will develop a total of five sets (300 blades) of single-crystal blades.
- This is part of a programme taken up by the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) to develop five sets of single-crystal high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades using a nickel-based superalloy.
What is single crystal blade technology?
- Single crystal blade technology is the game-changing technology breakthroughs that help produce the incredible performance of helicopters for operating at extreme conditions.
- Helicopters need compact and powerful aero-engines and to achieve this, state-of-the-art single crystal blades having complex shape and geometry, manufactured out of nickel based super-alloys capable of withstanding high temperatures of operation are used.
- Very few countries such as the U.S., the U.K., France and Russia have the capability to design and manufacture such single crystal components
By-Amar Mani Upadhyay