Gas Turbine Research Centre (GTRC) took its birth at No.4 BRD Air Force Station, Kanpur in 1959 with 8 Engineers / Scientists and about 20 Technicians. Its first indigenously developed centrifugal type gas turbine engine of 1000 kg thrust was tested in 1961. GTRC was moved to Bangalore, brought under the banner of DRDO, and was re-named as GTRE in November 1961. Recent Developments: GTRE proceeded to design and develop the GTX series of engines with flat rating concept which was successfully demonstrated. Initial sanction for the development of GTX-35-VS was given in 1989 and christened as KAVERI engine in the first Aero Engine Development Board Meeting. Three full engines and two core engines were successfully tested to prove the concept. With redesigned compressor, six full engines and one core engine were built and successfully tested at altitude conditions and the performance evaluated. The marine version of this engine for the Navy was conceived and the first prototype was successfully integrated and tested at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Kaveri prototype engines were subjected to Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) at GTRE, before sending them to Moscow, Russia for Altitude Test and Flying Test Bed (FTB) trials. 73 hours of Altitude Testing was conducted at Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM), Russia in 2009-10 and the performance and operability of the engine were verified. 57 hours of Flight Tests were completed in IL-76 aircraft at Russia covering altitude up to 12 km and Mach no. 0.7 in 2010-11. About 2900 hours of testing completed at ground and altitude conditions as on date. GTRE is at present working on eight Technology projects and one AR&DB project titled 'Gas Turbine Enabling Technology (GATET)'. GTRE is an ISO 9001:2008 certified establishment.
