Deepinder Goyal's LAT Aerospace initiates plans for constructing indigenous...
Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato, has co-founded a new aviation startup named LAT Aerospace, which plans to design and build commercially viable gas turbine engines from scratch. The Bengaluru centre of LAT Aerospace will be dedicated to this ambitious project.
The propulsion research team for this project will be based in Bengaluru, leading problem-solving efforts with a focus on hands-on work and bench tests. The centre will house advanced labs for combustion, turbomachinery, thermal systems, and materials, facilitating integrated, rapid prototyping and testing capabilities.
LAT Aerospace's unique approach to gas turbine engine research and development lies in its engineer-led, hands-on, and agile methodology. The startup aims to break away from bureaucratic bottlenecks by fostering a rapid iteration environment. Engineers are encouraged to "think, build, break, and repeat" swiftly, pushing the limits of design and physics with unprecedented speed, fostering innovation and reducing development timelines compared to traditional aerospace R&D units.
The engines developed by LAT Aerospace are intended to power short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft, UAVs, and other platforms critical for remote connectivity and regional aerospace needs. This focus on targeted applications is part of LAT Aerospace's commitment to promoting India’s self-reliance in high-tech aerospace manufacturing.
Deepinder Goyal and Surobhi Das co-founded LAT Aerospace this year, and the startup has already raised approximately USD 50 million. Deepinder Goyal has invested USD 20 million in the company.
It is important to note that this is the first time such an attempt is being made in India. LAT Aerospace plans to hire aerospace engineers, systems designers, and aviation enthusiasts to join its team.
Despite recent speculations, LAT Aerospace has denied purchasing a Bombardier Global jet, as reported earlier. The specific timeline for this project has not been provided.
Deepinder Goyal shared information about LAT Aerospace on X, emphasizing that the approach to R&D for this project is radically different. The research centre is intended to create a rapid iteration environment to break away from bureaucratic bottlenecks.
[1] LAT Aerospace's Dedicated Research Centre in Bengaluru [2] LAT Aerospace's Engineer-Led Team with Full Autonomy [3] LAT Aerospace's End-to-End Clean-Sheet Development [4] LAT Aerospace's Focus on Rapid Iteration and Experimental Design [5] LAT Aerospace's Targeted Applications and Self-Reliance
[1] LAT Aerospace's research center, situated in Bengaluru, India, will be the hub for the propulsion research team's efforts to design and build commercially viable gas turbine engines. [2] The team at LAT Aerospace is engineer-led, given autonomy to think, build, break, and repeat, fostering an agile methodology and innovation. [3] The company plans for an end-to-end clean-sheet development of engines which are intended to powerSTOL aircraft, UAVs, and other vital platforms, demonstrating a commitment to India's self-reliance in high-tech aerospace manufacturing. [4] The research center cultivates a rapid iteration environment, allowing for experimental design and reducing development timelines compared to traditional aerospace R&D units. [5] With a focus on targeted applications, LAT Aerospace aims to revolutionize the aviation, finance, business, technology, and environmental landscape of India.
