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ELAHANKA: Honeywell today announced its F125IN engine, a 9850lbf (43.8kN) thrust engine that will deliver high performance, improved pilot safety, lower maintenance and outstanding reliability.
“This thrust class engine is built around Honeywell’s proven expertise in the design and production of aircraft systems, which is evident in the F125IN engine, an outstanding propulsion system for military aircraft,” said Vicki Panhuise, Honeywell Vice President, Military Aircraft. “The engine will transform the Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft by improving mission performance, enhancing pilot safety, reducing pilot workload, and reducing maintenance events and costs.”
The F125IN powerplant, which is currently being considered for the Indian Air Force Jaguar re-engining program, is significantly lighter and much more powerful than the aircraft’s current engine. It has an advanced dual full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) system, modular construction, integrated engine health monitoring system and best in class thrust-to-weight ratio – all designed to give the military the best engine with the lowest operating and maintenance costs.
“The F125IN will provide the Indian Air Force Jaguar fleet with a modern, reliable and safe propulsion system that will transform the capabilities, performance and safety of the aircraft in combat,” Panhuise added. “In significantly improving single engine thrust performance, this increases pilot safety and aircraft survivability.”
In 2007 the F125IN was successfully demonstrated for the Indian Air Force in Bangalore. The engine is projected to save the Indian Air Force more than Rupees 7000 Crores ($1.5 billion) in life-cycle costs compared to other upgrade options being considered. The F125IN permits the Jaguar to perform missions never before possible with the current engine.
The F125IN is the designation of the F125 engine for the Jaguar application, benefiting from more than 540,000 hours of operational experience on the F125. The non-afterburning version of this engine is the F124 aircraft engine, which has a long record of demonstrated success in powering military aircraft, including three highly successful re-engining programs.
Superior mission reliability is delivered by the F125’s resistance to bird strikes, low unscheduled engine removal rate and low in-flight abort rate. The F125IN modern on-condition engine maintenance design leads to maximum time-on-wing, extending the first off-wing inspection interval to over 10 years of service.
The F124-GA-200 engine provides primary propulsion power for the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft. In 2008 Honeywell’s International Turbine Engine Company (ITEC) was awarded a contract to deliver F124-GA-200 engines to Alenia Aermacchi for its Advanced Jet Trainer M-346. The F124-GA-200 is a low bypass ratio engine selected in numerous competitions for its ability to meet the most rigorous requirements of modern trainers. It is the latest variant in the F124 family that also includes the F124-GA-100 for the Aero Vodochody/CzAF L-159 and the Boeing/DARPA X-45A UCAV.
A global diversified technology and manufacturing leader, Honeywell has significant operations in cities throughout India, with more than 8,000 people working in multiple locations. Honeywell has several partnerships in India, including the licensed manufacture of the TPE331 engine by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Honeywell International is a $37 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Phoenix, Honeywell’s $12 billion aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.
