LCA Tejas Mk1 & Mk1A - News and discussions
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HAL to test ELM-2052 AESA on LCA-Tejas, while Deal hangs on for 83 Jets
1 day ago
0 3,905 1 minute read
Defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL) will be integrating an ELTA’s ELM-2052 Airborne AESA Fire Control Radar (FCR) procured originally for the Jaguar Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation (DARIN III) upgrade program in its preparation for the manufacturing upgraded 83 Tejas Mk1A which company plans to test many of the features and equipment before first Tejas Mk1A jet is ready for first flight by 2023.
The ELM-2052 is an advanced Fire Control Radar (FCR) designed for air-to-air superiority and strike missions, based on fully solid-state Active Ellectronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, enabling the radar to achieve
EL/M-2052 Elta HAL radar is a GaN-based radar with 1500 TRMs. It can track 64 targets simultaneously. It has a range of 290 km in the Air to Sea Mode while in the Air to Air Mode, it is rumored to be between 150 to 200 km for a 1 sq.m RCS, not 3 sq.m
Another very authoritative source says that based on the TRM module count and power output a good initial ballpark estimate would suggest that EL/M 2052 radar might be comparable to APG-77 or APG-81 radars. This information is kept secretive but India and Israel might be planning to develop EL/M-2052 version that uses gallium nitride TRMs.
By analogy to the Saab GlobalEye AESA radar (which was produced in GaAs and GaN versions), a GaN version of the EL/M 2052 might have up to 70% greater range than the APG-77 or APG-81 based estimate.
1 day ago
0 3,905 1 minute read
Defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL) will be integrating an ELTA’s ELM-2052 Airborne AESA Fire Control Radar (FCR) procured originally for the Jaguar Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation (DARIN III) upgrade program in its preparation for the manufacturing upgraded 83 Tejas Mk1A which company plans to test many of the features and equipment before first Tejas Mk1A jet is ready for first flight by 2023.
The ELM-2052 is an advanced Fire Control Radar (FCR) designed for air-to-air superiority and strike missions, based on fully solid-state Active Ellectronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, enabling the radar to achieve
- long detection ranges,
- high mission reliability and
- multi-target tracking capabilities.
EL/M-2052 Elta HAL radar is a GaN-based radar with 1500 TRMs. It can track 64 targets simultaneously. It has a range of 290 km in the Air to Sea Mode while in the Air to Air Mode, it is rumored to be between 150 to 200 km for a 1 sq.m RCS, not 3 sq.m
Another very authoritative source says that based on the TRM module count and power output a good initial ballpark estimate would suggest that EL/M 2052 radar might be comparable to APG-77 or APG-81 radars. This information is kept secretive but India and Israel might be planning to develop EL/M-2052 version that uses gallium nitride TRMs.
By analogy to the Saab GlobalEye AESA radar (which was produced in GaAs and GaN versions), a GaN version of the EL/M 2052 might have up to 70% greater range than the APG-77 or APG-81 based estimate.
Aren't the 2052 for Jaguar supposed to be smaller ? If yes how does fitting that into LCA works?HAL to test ELM-2052 AESA on LCA-Tejas, while Deal hangs on for 83 Jets
1 day ago
0 3,905 1 minute read
Defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL) will be integrating an ELTA’s ELM-2052 Airborne AESA Fire Control Radar (FCR) procured originally for the Jaguar Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation (DARIN III) upgrade program in its preparation for the manufacturing upgraded 83 Tejas Mk1A which company plans to test many of the features and equipment before first Tejas Mk1A jet is ready for first flight by 2023.
The ELM-2052 is an advanced Fire Control Radar (FCR) designed for air-to-air superiority and strike missions, based on fully solid-state Active Ellectronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, enabling the radar to achieve
The ELM-2052 radar provides simultaneous modes of operation supporting multi-mission capabilities for air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea operation modes, and weapon deployment.
- long detection ranges,
- high mission reliability and
- multi-target tracking capabilities.
EL/M-2052 Elta HAL radar is a GaN-based radar with 1500 TRMs. It can track 64 targets simultaneously. It has a range of 290 km in the Air to Sea Mode while in the Air to Air Mode, it is rumored to be between 150 to 200 km for a 1 sq.m RCS, not 3 sq.m
Another very authoritative source says that based on the TRM module count and power output a good initial ballpark estimate would suggest that EL/M 2052 radar might be comparable to APG-77 or APG-81 radars. This information is kept secretive but India and Israel might be planning to develop EL/M-2052 version that uses gallium nitride TRMs.
By analogy to the Saab GlobalEye AESA radar (which was produced in GaAs and GaN versions), a GaN version of the EL/M 2052 might have up to 70% greater range than the APG-77 or APG-81 based estimate.
Wrong info.... ELM 2052 is a scalable radar. No way Tejas version with less power and TRM count has 200km+ range for 1m2 target. We know Uttam AESA with peak power of 10kW has 150km range for 2m2 target........range for 2052 range is probably same or slightly more and that to on narrow FoV. APG 77, 81 AESA is on another league all together.HAL to test ELM-2052 AESA on LCA-Tejas, while Deal hangs on for 83 Jets
1 day ago
0 3,905 1 minute read
Defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL) will be integrating an ELTA’s ELM-2052 Airborne AESA Fire Control Radar (FCR) procured originally for the Jaguar Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation (DARIN III) upgrade program in its preparation for the manufacturing upgraded 83 Tejas Mk1A which company plans to test many of the features and equipment before first Tejas Mk1A jet is ready for first flight by 2023.
The ELM-2052 is an advanced Fire Control Radar (FCR) designed for air-to-air superiority and strike missions, based on fully solid-state Active Ellectronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, enabling the radar to achieve
The ELM-2052 radar provides simultaneous modes of operation supporting multi-mission capabilities for air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea operation modes, and weapon deployment.
- long detection ranges,
- high mission reliability and
- multi-target tracking capabilities.
EL/M-2052 Elta HAL radar is a GaN-based radar with 1500 TRMs. It can track 64 targets simultaneously. It has a range of 290 km in the Air to Sea Mode while in the Air to Air Mode, it is rumored to be between 150 to 200 km for a 1 sq.m RCS, not 3 sq.m
Another very authoritative source says that based on the TRM module count and power output a good initial ballpark estimate would suggest that EL/M 2052 radar might be comparable to APG-77 or APG-81 radars. This information is kept secretive but India and Israel might be planning to develop EL/M-2052 version that uses gallium nitride TRMs.
By analogy to the Saab GlobalEye AESA radar (which was produced in GaAs and GaN versions), a GaN version of the EL/M 2052 might have up to 70% greater range than the APG-77 or APG-81 based estimate.
Yeah, its a wrong reporting when comes to trm numbers for tejas
[/QUOTE]
May be for testing purpose.
It doesn't really work that way. Untill HAL had ordered 1 extra 2052 for Jaguar upgrade program, it's actually breaking the contractual obligations with IAF. IAF would have paid for a set number of new AESA optimised for a set number of Jaguars.
It's not the property of HAL to take that radar from some other program it is actually obliged to do and divert it to a program which has not been yet ordered by the IAF.
At the very best this news is false.
2032 were used for 12 IM versions and Sea Harriers. DARIN III was supposed to equip upto 40 out of 61 aircrafts with AESA. Rest were to get 2032 only.
LCA Tejas successfully test fires beyond visual range missile
m.economictimes.com
Missile: LCA Tejas successfully test fires beyond visual range missile - The Economic Times
The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target.
2018 articleLCA Tejas successfully test fires beyond visual range missile
Missile: LCA Tejas successfully test fires beyond visual range missile - The Economic Times
The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target.
All the DARIN III will have AESA.
Jaguar's AESA and LCA's AESA are different in terms of size. Jaguar's AESA isn't suitable for air defence.
So, the first flight of the Mk1a is expected to happen in the last quarter of 2022-23 whereas we were given to believe out here that come 2022 we were in for a bonanza among which the production of the Mk1a would be just 1 development.
Sigh!! It's not even 2022 & we've already received news of the first setback. Wonder what more is in store as we move along.
Moving on, if this article is to be believed, the production wouldn't begin before 2024-25 & 6 years from the rollout of the first Mk1a we can expect the completion of production which in turn means the Mk2/MWF won't be scheduled to rollout of HAL before 2031 at least.
In related news, PKS reports ACM Bhadauriya as saying in a webinar hosted by IDEA that he's not quite confident about MWF (?) - Whether this lack of confidence relates to the time schedule or the incorporation of newer technologies by ADA/DRDO or both isn't quite clear. However, PKS also reports the ACM as saying that he prefers the AMCA project to be undertaken as soon as the Mk1a project development phase is over & has gone so far as to state he doesn't mind issuing an LoI for 2 squadrons of AMCA too.
OTOH, we've had AVM(retd) Raghu Nambiar in an interview with Livefist declare emphatically that the path to the AMCA development lies thru the Mk2/MWF & he's just retired from the IAF a year ago. Seems like a lot has changed in their thinking in this short span of time.IAF is in for extremely interesting times.
With expected 83 Tejas MK1A orders, ARDC shapes India's upgraded fighter
Bengaluru: The Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC), a vibrant wing of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed the structural design of the new variant of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1A.
The provisional set of drawings has also been released, which will finally be cleared by the certifying agencies.
The additional system design activities are currently in progress. In six months time, new set of equipment will start arriving ahead for integration. By then, the final system design is also expected to be in place.
If HAL sticks to the current timelines, then the integration of new systems will begin early next year, followed by series of rig tests and later the all critical flight tests.
It is expected close to 200 flight trials will be undertaken before all new systems are being proven as per the requirements and satisfaction of Indian Air Force (IAF).
The advanced features of Tejas Mk1A will be proven on two limited series production (LSP) aircraft, which are part of the ongoing trials of the fighter programme.
HAL hopes to have the final configuration of Tejas Mk1A by 2022-23.
All the current activities are expected to get a moral boost further when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will finally award the contract of 83 Tejas Mk1As to HAL.
The contract worth around Rs 38,000 crore (including spares, weapons, engine test beds etc), is still under finalisation and is likely to be inked in the last quarter of this year.
Onus on HAL
Unlike the early versions of Tejas, ARDC will be the lead designer of Mk1A programme as per its work share arrangement with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). With this arrangement, HAL probably also got an opportunity to lessen the trust deficient other stakeholders had on them when it came to the Tejas programme.
With so much of national pride pinned on Tejas programme, the onus on HAL/ARDC has increased by many folds now. In addition to Tejas variants, the team has the responsibility of other projects like the HTT-40, IJT and UAVs to name a few.
Future programmes like LCA-MK2, TEDBF and AMCA will also see active participation of ARDC.
Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded version of the final operational clearance (FOC) configuration (Mk1) with 80 per cent of the detail components being the same.
HAL needs to deliver 20 MK1 variants to IAF for the second Tejas squadron in Sulur, the Flying Bullets.
Desi game-changer
The metal-cutting is expected to commence one year after the contract finalization and as things stand now, the Tejas Mk1A will have its first flight during the last quarter of FY 2022-23. The delivery of all the 83 aircraft will be completed within six years from the supply of the first fighter.
HAL is to deliver 73 fighters and 10 trainers under the yet-to-be-inked contract of 83 Tejas Mk1As.
HAL insiders term Tejas MK1A as a ‘real desi game-changer’ which will be setting aeronautical benchmarks for India’s future fighter programmes.
What give Tejas MK1A more teeth compared to its earlier version are four key capabilities over current variant of LCA. The major improvements are planned in operational roles, enhancing the combat ability and maintainability improvements through incorporation of AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, electronic warfare (EW) suite, and BVR (beyond visual range) missile capabilities.
Desi missile Astra Mk1 will be integrated on Tejas Mk1A, giving an edge to the fighter over its contemporaries in BVR warfare.
“With the introduction of podded Self Protection Jammer (SPJ) and AESA on Tejas Mk1A, the survivability of the aircraft is further enhanced. Besides, Astra and ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile), the fighter will also carry missiles for long range as well as short range operations. This is in addition to prevailing store configurations to increase offensive capability,” an official overseeing the programme said.
The AESA radar will give Tejas improved range with near simultaneous missile firing options on multiple targets and increased situational awareness with mode interleaving.
“The AESA radar will be electronically scanned agile beam radar based on TRM (Transmit/Receive Modules) and supports multimode operation. The radar is having capability to track multiple targets at a time in air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea modes,” says the official.
The Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS) will provide capabilities for electronic counter measures (ECM) and ECCM (Electronic counter-countermeasures) with extended band of operation for threat detection and jamming capability.
“The EW capability will increase survivability of the aircraft in a networked environment. With the integration of an external jamming pod, the aircraft will be able to do its duty as offensive air combat platform,” he added.
More real estate
Additional features that are getting on board Tejas Mk1A boosting its precision war fighting capabilities include: Digital Moving Map with 2D maps & 3D perspective view, provision for GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)-based positioning system, GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) and SBAS (Satellite-based Augmentation System).
“The Tejas Mk1A will have excellent manoeuvrability, unhindered by control and stability considerations, over the widest possible speed and CG (centre of gravity) range from + 8 to -3 g,” says the official.
On the maintainability front, the new Tejas promises to be a delight for the ground support crew with ARDC planning to incorporate many new features.
“The idea is to step up the availability of aircraft and reduce the turnaround time. Based on various inputs, we are making changes in the roots of the aircraft,” says the official.
New panels are getting in to reduce the DI (daily inspection) time. A new concept called panel-in-panel will be in place to increase the visibility of the components during DI.
It is certain that the designers and engineers are leaving no efforts to create real estate on Tejas Mk1A to address long-term maintainability issues. New set of cables are to be in increasing more space inside the aircraft.
Bengaluru: The Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC), a vibrant wing of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed the structural design of the new variant of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1A.
The provisional set of drawings has also been released, which will finally be cleared by the certifying agencies.
The additional system design activities are currently in progress. In six months time, new set of equipment will start arriving ahead for integration. By then, the final system design is also expected to be in place.
If HAL sticks to the current timelines, then the integration of new systems will begin early next year, followed by series of rig tests and later the all critical flight tests.
It is expected close to 200 flight trials will be undertaken before all new systems are being proven as per the requirements and satisfaction of Indian Air Force (IAF).
The advanced features of Tejas Mk1A will be proven on two limited series production (LSP) aircraft, which are part of the ongoing trials of the fighter programme.
HAL hopes to have the final configuration of Tejas Mk1A by 2022-23.
All the current activities are expected to get a moral boost further when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will finally award the contract of 83 Tejas Mk1As to HAL.
The contract worth around Rs 38,000 crore (including spares, weapons, engine test beds etc), is still under finalisation and is likely to be inked in the last quarter of this year.
Onus on HAL
Unlike the early versions of Tejas, ARDC will be the lead designer of Mk1A programme as per its work share arrangement with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). With this arrangement, HAL probably also got an opportunity to lessen the trust deficient other stakeholders had on them when it came to the Tejas programme.
With so much of national pride pinned on Tejas programme, the onus on HAL/ARDC has increased by many folds now. In addition to Tejas variants, the team has the responsibility of other projects like the HTT-40, IJT and UAVs to name a few.
Future programmes like LCA-MK2, TEDBF and AMCA will also see active participation of ARDC.
Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded version of the final operational clearance (FOC) configuration (Mk1) with 80 per cent of the detail components being the same.
HAL needs to deliver 20 MK1 variants to IAF for the second Tejas squadron in Sulur, the Flying Bullets.
Desi game-changer
The metal-cutting is expected to commence one year after the contract finalization and as things stand now, the Tejas Mk1A will have its first flight during the last quarter of FY 2022-23. The delivery of all the 83 aircraft will be completed within six years from the supply of the first fighter.
HAL is to deliver 73 fighters and 10 trainers under the yet-to-be-inked contract of 83 Tejas Mk1As.
HAL insiders term Tejas MK1A as a ‘real desi game-changer’ which will be setting aeronautical benchmarks for India’s future fighter programmes.
What give Tejas MK1A more teeth compared to its earlier version are four key capabilities over current variant of LCA. The major improvements are planned in operational roles, enhancing the combat ability and maintainability improvements through incorporation of AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, electronic warfare (EW) suite, and BVR (beyond visual range) missile capabilities.
Desi missile Astra Mk1 will be integrated on Tejas Mk1A, giving an edge to the fighter over its contemporaries in BVR warfare.
“With the introduction of podded Self Protection Jammer (SPJ) and AESA on Tejas Mk1A, the survivability of the aircraft is further enhanced. Besides, Astra and ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile), the fighter will also carry missiles for long range as well as short range operations. This is in addition to prevailing store configurations to increase offensive capability,” an official overseeing the programme said.
The AESA radar will give Tejas improved range with near simultaneous missile firing options on multiple targets and increased situational awareness with mode interleaving.
“The AESA radar will be electronically scanned agile beam radar based on TRM (Transmit/Receive Modules) and supports multimode operation. The radar is having capability to track multiple targets at a time in air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea modes,” says the official.
The Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS) will provide capabilities for electronic counter measures (ECM) and ECCM (Electronic counter-countermeasures) with extended band of operation for threat detection and jamming capability.
“The EW capability will increase survivability of the aircraft in a networked environment. With the integration of an external jamming pod, the aircraft will be able to do its duty as offensive air combat platform,” he added.
More real estate
Additional features that are getting on board Tejas Mk1A boosting its precision war fighting capabilities include: Digital Moving Map with 2D maps & 3D perspective view, provision for GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)-based positioning system, GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) and SBAS (Satellite-based Augmentation System).
“The Tejas Mk1A will have excellent manoeuvrability, unhindered by control and stability considerations, over the widest possible speed and CG (centre of gravity) range from + 8 to -3 g,” says the official.
On the maintainability front, the new Tejas promises to be a delight for the ground support crew with ARDC planning to incorporate many new features.
“The idea is to step up the availability of aircraft and reduce the turnaround time. Based on various inputs, we are making changes in the roots of the aircraft,” says the official.
New panels are getting in to reduce the DI (daily inspection) time. A new concept called panel-in-panel will be in place to increase the visibility of the components during DI.
It is certain that the designers and engineers are leaving no efforts to create real estate on Tejas Mk1A to address long-term maintainability issues. New set of cables are to be in increasing more space inside the aircraft.
DARIN III+ is Jaguar Max. It's meant for the current DARIN II aircraft in the next phase of upgrades a few years down the line.
DARIN III is the one happening now, and all 56 jets will come with AESA radars.
Prototypes have been flying since 2017.
India's HAL flies first AESA radar-upgraded Jaguar fighter aircraft - Airforce Technology
India-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has reportedly announced the successful flight of the first Jaguar fighter aircraft to be upgraded with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
www.airforce-technology.com
DARIN III+ is Jaguar Max. It's meant for the current DARIN II aircraft in the next phase of upgrades a few years down the line.
DARIN III is the one happening now, and all 56 jets will come with AESA radars.
Prototypes have been flying since 2017.
India's HAL flies first AESA radar-upgraded Jaguar fighter aircraft - Airforce Technology
India-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has reportedly announced the successful flight of the first Jaguar fighter aircraft to be upgraded with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
This was only testing. Not for DARIN III upgrades. This is from someone who is working on the upgrades.