Bangalore: The indigenous Kaveri engine-fitted Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is expected to make its "limited flight" in 2005, a top official of Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) said.

Kaveri was undergoing high altitude tests in Russia and its results would be known by June, S C Kaushal, director of GTRE, a Research and Development organisation under the Ministry of Defence, said.

"If any modifications are required (after the tests), we will make it," he said.

Kaveri, tailor-made for the LCA, would undergo another high altitude test next year. "Kaveri is the only one which meets the LCA requirements," Kaushal said.

Presently, GE-404 engines are fitted on the LCA technology demonstrators.

It was noted that Kaveri engine was conceived as the power plant for the LCA during early Nineties. It is a two spool, low bypass ratio turbo fan consisting of three- stage fan and six stage transonic compressor, both driven by single stage turbines.

PTI