Monday, June 13 2005 11:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Canada-headquartered global aircraft engines major Pratt & Whitney (P&W) will establish a joint testing facility in Bangalore for compressors and gas turbines in the aviation sector.

"We are in discussion with Pratt & Whitney of Canada for a collaborative programme," NAL Director A R Upadhya told sources in Bangalore. "We are setting up a joint testing facility for compressors and turbines".

A team from Pratt & Whitney, the world's leading producer of engines for corporate jets, commuter aircraft and helicopters, has already visited NAL, where the facility is to be set up, he said.

"We will conduct international class of research," said the official of NAL, a constituent of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Pratt & Whitney, a New York Stock Exchange-listed United Technologies company, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft, engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.

Upadhya said global giants Boeing and Bell Helicopters have also approached the NAL, the civil R & D establishment in aeronautics and allied disciplines, for collaborative work in some areas.

"We hope to cash in on that", he said. "They have come to recognise that we have expertise and facilities in this country, where the development costs are lower".

Upadhya said NAL is currently developing propulsions for the supersonic vehicle, being developed by India. "We are developing a technology for propulsions...supersonic combustion...at NAL," he added.