Key Points
- TDB grants funding to Gurugram startup for hybrid propulsion aircraft technology
- Project to build North India’s first rotorcraft propulsion testing facility
- Technology targets disaster response and medical evacuation in remote areas
The Technology Development Board (TDB) under DST has approved funding for a Gurugram-based aerospace startup to develop hybrid propulsion technology that could allow drones and light aircraft to take off from short runways or near-vertically. TDB signed the agreement with Casey Aviation Private Limited on Sunday.
The technology, if successful, could enable faster emergency medical evacuations and disaster response operations in remote parts of India where conventional runways do not exist. The system would allow unmanned aircraft to reach areas currently inaccessible to traditional aviation.
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Casey Aviation will receive a conditional grant under the India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme for Industrial Sustainability. The company is partnering with UK-based ARC Aerosystems Ltd to develop the system, which it calls Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO).
How the technology works
The project combines electric and conventional propulsion systems to create what engineers call a hybrid powerplant. This hybrid system generates enough thrust for an aircraft to take off from very short distances or climb near-vertically, similar to a helicopter but using different mechanics.
The technology targets platforms such as gyrocopters, which are small rotorcraft, and unmanned aerial systems. By reducing the runway length needed for take-off, the system could make aviation viable in mountainous terrain, island territories and rural regions without airstrips.
Applications include regional air connectivity, unmanned logistics deliveries, surveillance operations and emergency response missions, according to the project documentation.
Testing facility for North India
As part of the project, Casey Aviation will establish a dedicated test bench facility for validating rotorcraft propulsion systems. The company claims this would be one of the first such facilities in North India.
The testing infrastructure would allow engineers to measure thrust, fuel efficiency, heat generation and reliability of propulsion systems before they are installed in actual aircraft. The facility would also offer testing services to other startups and developers working on drone and aerial mobility technologies.
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Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, said collaborative R&D initiatives under international programmes play a crucial role in advancing technologies in strategic sectors.
“Innovations in hybrid propulsion and advanced take-off systems can significantly enhance India’s capabilities in unmanned aviation and regional air mobility,” Pathak said. He added that the technology would contribute to sustainable aviation solutions.
A new aerospace venture
Casey Aviation is a newly established aerospace company focused on designing small aircraft and specialised aviation solutions. The company brings together expertise from industry, academia and research institutions, according to its promoters.
Pawan Kakkar and Air Marshal GS Bedi (Retd) are the founder and co-founder of the company. The promoters of Casey Aviation said the TDB support would enable the company to validate its technology under real-world conditions. They added that the funding would accelerate the development of scalable propulsion solutions for emerging aviation applications.
The India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme supports joint projects between Indian and British companies in areas including industrial sustainability, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. The programme is administered by TDB on the Indian side.
TDB has not disclosed the exact grant amount sanctioned for the project. The timeline for completion and testing milestones was also not specified in the announcement.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the Boost Electric Jump Take-Off system?
BE-JTO is a hybrid propulsion system combining electric and conventional power to enable drones and light aircraft to take off from very short distances or near-vertically, reducing dependence on conventional runways.
Who is funding Casey Aviation’s hybrid propulsion project?
The Technology Development Board under the Department of Science and Technology has sanctioned a conditional grant under the India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme for Industrial Sustainability.
What are the applications of this hybrid take-off technology?
The technology targets regional air connectivity, disaster response, medical evacuation, unmanned logistics and surveillance operations, particularly in remote and mountainous regions without airstrips.
Where will the propulsion testing facility be established?
Casey Aviation will establish the test bench facility in North India. The company claims it would be one of the first rotorcraft propulsion testing facilities in the region.