Doosan Enerbility will leverage its capabilities in developing gas turbines for power generation to venture into aviation engine development.
Doosan Enerbility announced today that it has expanded its business scope to include "aircraft engine manufacturing, propulsion auxiliary parts manufacturing, maintenance, sales, and service" at its annual general meeting of shareholders held on March 26. The company intends to expedite the development of aircraft engines, particularly for unmanned aerial vehicles.
The gas turbines for power generation and aviation engines successfully developed by Doosan Enerbility are rooted in the same technology, featuring similar structures and operating principles. The key components of aviation gas turbines, designed to generate thrust for airplanes, prioritize high power, lightweight construction, and operational flexibility. Gas turbines for power generation differ in their requirements, focusing on high efficiency, output, reliability, and larger size compared to aviation counterparts.
The company plans to actively leverage its expertise in design, manufacturing technology, and material science acquired during the development of large gas turbines for power generation to engineer aviation engines. Specifically, igniting an aircraft engine demands technology capable of withstanding the extreme internal temperatures of 1500°C, and Doosan Enerbility has already secured cooling and coating technologies to withstand environments reaching 1680°C.
Doosan Enerbility's aviation engine business has already commenced. The company is presently involved in the project to develop a 10,000 lbf gas turbine engine for unmanned aerial vehicles led by the Korea Advanced Institute of Defense Science and Technology.
"Our competitive edge lies in our comprehensive physical and human infrastructure, coupled with our experience as an original equipment manufacturer, having developed, manufactured, and supplied gas turbines for power generation," stated Son Seung-woo, Vice President of Doosan Energy Power Services BG. "We will actively harness this advantage to foster the localization of aviation engines and establish the groundwork for our expansion into overseas markets."
