National Aerospace Labs sets up carbon fibre unit in B’lore
The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has set up the country’s first carbon fibre manufacturing facility in Bangalore at an investment of about Rs 30 crore.
By TNN |
HYDERABAD: The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has set up the country’s first carbon fibre manufacturing facility in Bangalore at an investment of about Rs 30 crore.
The plant will produce 20 tonne fibre per annum which would be used for light combat aircraft (LCA), missile and space programmes. NAL is currently in talks with private agencies for managing and operating the facility.
“Carbon fibre composites are extremely light and can address various issues related to the weight of an LCA or a missile. India imports carbon fibre from other countries, at present. It has many applications in aerospace and automobile industry,” said A R Upadhyaya, director of NAL.
According to him, the largest consumers of carbon fibre composites are Airbus and Boeing. “Worldwide, the demand for carbon fibre is growing. Due to large orders placed by MNCs, we are facing difficulties in timely supply of the material,” he pointed out.
The new facility, funded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Aeronautical Development Agency, is currently awaiting formal certification. “Industrial production is expected to start by next March,” he added. NAL is planning to use the indigenous carbon fibre composites for its Saras project.
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“Saras is being put through the weight reduction programme,” Mr Upadhyaya said. NAL, he said, had also received a project from ISRO for carbon fibre composites besides some export orders. “We are also looking at using carbon composites for Agni missile programme,” said Avinash Chander, director (ASL) of DRDO. The organisation is planning its next Agni missile testing by early next year.
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