Weapons
Any modern fighter is only as good as the weapons she can deliver on target. The Tejas is designed to carry a veritable plethora of air to air, air to surface, precision guided and standoff weaponry. In the air to air arena, the Tejas carries long range beyond visual range weapons, with highly agile high off-bore-sight missiles to tackle any close combat threat. A wide variety of air to ground munitions and an extremely accurate navigation and attack system allow it to prosecute surface targets over land or at sea with unparalleled accuracy, giving the Tejas true multi/swing role capability.
Tejas is missile-capable and once it is airborne can detect and shoot down enemy targets 120 km away; it can give close air support to the Army; it can do combat air patrol for six hours if refueled in air; it can do deep penetration roles day and night and in all weather; it has been tested to operate in Ladakh; it can carry nuclear weapons if necessary.
Seven weapon stations [plus a centerline hard-point] provided on LCA offer flexibility in the choice of weapons LCA can carry in various mission roles. Provision of drop tanks and in-flight refueling probe ensure extended range and flight endurance of demanding missions.
Air to Air -
1. Astra
Astra is an active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM)developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India. With the development of Astra India joined in a handful of countries like the US, Russia, France and Israel which have developed such sleek missiles capable of detecting, tracking and destroying highly-agile hostile supersonic fighters packed with ``counter-measures'' at long ranges.
The highly agile, accurate and reliable missile features high single-shot kill probability (SSKP) and is capable of operating under all weather conditions. Length of the weapon system is 3.8m, while its diameter is 178mm, and an overall launch weight is160kg. Its low all-up weight provides high launch range capability and the system's airborne launcher can be used with different fighter aircraft. It is intended to engage and destroy aerial targets with high manoeuvrability and supersonic speeds. The missile's advanced air combat capabilities allow it to engage multiple high-performance targets.
The missile guidance is provided by a terminal active radar-seeker and an updated mid-course internal guidance system, which locates and tracks targets. On-board electronic counter-measures jam radar signals from enemy radar, making tracking of the missile difficult. The ECCM (electronic counter-counter measure) features of the missile make it able to overcome almost any kind of jamming. It is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets (up to 20 km) and long-range targets (up to 80 km).
It uses smokeless propulsion system to evade enemy radars and has the capacity to engage in multi-target scenario. Astra can reach up to 110 km when fired from an altitude of 15 km, 44 km when launched from an altitude of 8 km and 21 km when fired from sea level. A smokeless
The highly agile, accurate and reliable missile features high single-shot kill probability (SSKP) and is capable of operating under all weather conditions. It also has the capacity to engage in multi-target scenario.
Astra using HTPB (solid-fuel) as fuel. With this high-energy propellant, it has the capability to follow fighters which can do complicated maneuvers. HTPB is a non-metalized high-specific impulse propellant developed for the rocket motor. The missile's maximum speed is Mach 4.5+ and can attain maximum altitude of 20 km. The missile can handle 40 g turns near sea level while attacking a maneuvering target. It can be launched in both autonomous and buddy mode (a Su 30 MKI can launch the Astra from long range and a nearby friendly aircraft can update the missile to the correct path) operation and can achieve lock-on on its target before or after it is launched.
The dual-mode guidance consists of an upgraded mid-course internal and active radar terminal homing systems. It allows the Astra BVR missile to locate and track targets at different altitudes. The weapon system is equipped with a high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead that weighs 15kg. A radio proximity fuse (RPF) developed by HAL activates the warhead. This RPF weighs approximately 2.5kg and has a detection range of up to 30m, a detonation range of 15m and a missile target velocity between 100m/s and 1,600m/s.
2. Python-5
The Python-5 is currently the most capable air-to-air missile and one of the most advanced AAMs in the world. As a beyond-visual-range missile, it is capable of "lock-on after launch" (LOAL), and has full-sphere/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability. The missile features an advanced electro-optical infrared homing seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase. With a total of eighteen control surfaces and careful design, the resulting missile is supposed to be as maneuverable as any other air-to-air missiles with thrust vectoring nozzles. The Python-5 was first used in combat during the 2006 Lebanon War, when it was used by F-16 Fighting Falcons to destroy two Iranian-made "Ghods Ababil" Ababil UAVs used by the Hezbollah.
Charachtersitics
- Length: 310 cm
- Span: 64 cm
- Diameter: 16 cm
- Weight: 105 kg
- Guidance: IR + electro-optical imaging
- Warhead: 11 kg
- Range: >20 km
- Speed: Mach 4
3. R77
The Vympel NPO R-77 missile is a Russian medium range, active radar homing air-to-air missile system. The R-77 has the ability to engage multiple airborne threats simultaneously thanks to its fire and forget capability. There are other versions fitted with infrared and passive radar seekers instead of active radar homing. Future plans call for increasing the missile range well beyond 150 kilometers. Currently it has 80Km range. It has speed of 4 mach and can operate at altitudes as 25000 m high.
The R-77 has been designed with innovative control surfaces which are one of the keys of its impressive performance. Once launched, the R-77 depends on an inertial navigation system with optional in-flight target position updates from the aircraft sensors. When the R-77 missile is at a distance of about 20 km its radar homing head activates leading the missile to its target. The R-77's multi-purpose target engagement capabilities and resistance against countermeasures are among the best in the world. It is launched from AKU-170E launch unit aboard the aircraft.
The R-77 carries a 22.5kg multi-shaped charge rod type warhead. An inertial/radio-corrected navigation system guides the missile during the initial flight phase, while a multi-function doppler-monopulse active radar seeker is employed in the terminal phase.
4. R73
The R-73 is an infrared homing (heat-seeking) missile with a sensitive, cryogenic cooled seeker with a substantial "off-boresight" capability: the seeker can "see" targets up to 40° off the missile's centerline. It can be targeted by a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) allowing pilots to designate targets by looking at them. Minimum engagement range is about 300 meters, with maximum aerodynamic range of nearly 30 km (19 mi) at altitude
The R-73 is a highly maneuverable missile and mock dogfights between USAF and German Air Force MiG-29s (inherited from the former Air Forces of the National People's Army) equipped with the R-73/helmet mounted cueing have indicated that the high degree of "off-boresight" capability of the R-73 would make a significant difference in combat. The missile also has a mechanically simple but effective system for thrust-vectoring. The R-73 prompted the development of a number of western air-to-air missiles including the IRIS-T, MICA IR, Python IV and the latest Sidewinder variant, the AIM-9X which entered squadron service in 2003.
From 1994, the R-73 has been upgraded in production to the R-73M standard, which entered CIS service in 1997. The R-73M has greater range and a wider seeker angle (to 60° off-boresight), as well as improved IRCCM (Infrared Counter-Counter-Measures). Further developments include the R-74 (izdeliye 740) and its export variant RVV-MD. Russia currently receives new improved air-to-air missiles on the basis of the R-73.
Air to Surface
1. DRDO Next Generation Anti-Radiation Missile NGARM
The DRDO Anti-Radiation missile is a tactical, air-to-surface anti-radiation missile under developement by Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is designed primarily to destroy enemy radars and communication facilities. Instead of thrust propulsion, the missile uses dual pulse propulsion system as in the case of LR-SAM. The dual pulse propulsion will widen the envelope as well as the engagement capability of the missile. The range of the missile is believed to be 100–125 km
2. Kh-59ME (TV-guided standoff missile)
Kh-59ME is an improved version of the Kh-59 standoff missile and was introduced in the early 1990s. It features two larger fragmentation and penetration warheads, minor airframe changes, and a new propulsion system for extended range. The missile can fly at altitudes between 7 and 1,000 meters. The nose-mounted TV-sensor relays target area imagery to the launch airborne platform and the pilot selects the impact point using the aircraft-mounted APK-9ME pod.
3. Kh-59MK (Laser-guided standoff missile)
The Kh-59MK airborne enhanced-range air-to-surface guided missile with the ARGS-59E active radar homing head is derived from the Kh-59ME missile with the TV/command guidance system. It is designed for engagement of a wide range of radar-contrast sea surface targets in both fair and adverse weather conditions at Sea States up to 6.
The design changes are substantial, with the original folding high aspect ratio canards replaced by a strake like cruciform canard stabiliser. The electro-optical seeker is completely replaced with a new Radar MMS developed ARGS-59E active radar seeker designed for attacks on shipping or other high radar contrast targets. Stated range performance for this variant is 285 km. The missile is fitted with a KTRV-Detal A-079E radar altimeter. It’s a fire-and-forget missile, equipped with either a 320 kg penetrating or 285 kg pellet warhead.
Bombs:
KAB-1500L laser-guided bombs
GBU-16 Paveway II
FAB-250
ODAB-500PM fuel-air explosives
ZAB-250/350 incendiary bombs
BetAB-500Shp powered concrete-piercing bombs
FAB-500T gravity bombs
OFAB-250-270 gravity bombs
OFAB-100-120 gravity bombs
RBK-500 cluster bomb stake
1. Kh-35
Kh-35U is a jet-launched subsonic anti-ship missile. The Kh-35 missile is a subsonic weapon featuring a normal aerodynamic configuration with cruciform wings and fins and a semisubmerged air duct intake. The propulsion unit is a turbofan engine. The missile is guided to its target at the final leg of the trajectory by commands fed from the active radar homing head and the radio altimeter.
Target designation data can be introduced into the missile from the launch aircraft or ship or external sources. Flight mission data is inserted into the missile control system after input of target coordinates. An inertial system controls the missile in flight, stabilizes it at an assigned altitude and brings it to a target location area. At a certain target range, the homing head is switched on to search for, lock on and track the target. The inertial control system then turns the missile toward the target and changes its flight altitude to an extremely low one. At this altitude, the missile continues the process of homing by the data fed from the homing head and the inertial control system until a hit is obtained.
The Kh-35 can be employed in fair and adverse weather conditions at sea states up to 5-6, by day and night, under enemy fire and electronic countermeasures. Its aerodynamic configuration is optimized for high subsonic-speed sea-skimming flight to ensure stealthy characteristics of the missile. The missile has low signatures thanks to its small dimensions, sea-skimming capability and a special guidance algorithm ensuring highly secure operational modes of the active radar seeker.
Its ARGS-35E active radar seeker operates in both single-and-multiple missile launch modes, acquiring and locking on targets at a maximum range of up to 20 km. New radar seekers, Gran-KE have been developed by SPE Radar MMS and will be replacing the existing ARGS-35E X band seeker
2. Kh-31
The Kh-31A is a high speed anti-shipping missile based on the Kh-31P airframe, but equipped with a new Leninetz RGS-31 active radar homing seeker. The design of the seeker is frequently credited to Radar MMS, its cardinal parameters are similar to the Radar MMS designed ARGS-35 in the SS-N-25 Switchblade and ARGS-54 in the SS-N-27 Sizzler. The missile is fitted with a KTRV-Detal A-069A radar altimeter, which operates at altitudes between 100 metres and 6,000 metres. The seeker can be locked onto the target before launch, or acquire the target post launch, to maximise operational flexibility. Active seeker head for use as an anti-shipping missile against vessels up to destroyer size, range of 25 km–103 km. Missile is sea-skimming as it approaches the target.
How fare is Tejas Compared to other Single engine fighters ?
No, the Tejas isn't outdated; nor is it a poor, desi solution to what a desperate Indian Air Force needs. Tejas can match with any of the 4th Generation fighter in the world. RCS figure of Tejas is one of the finest in all the 4th gen fighters. Aerodynamics is second to none. How fare is Tejas against other single engine fighter’s find it out in the following sections.
In this section we are doing a quick analysis of Tejas with three dominant single engine fighters of this time Gripen, F 16, J10. Please note this is a rough comparison.
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Compared with J 10
The J 10 started off as a Chinese attempt at reverse engineering a Pakistan bought US F-16. However it ended up being a modification of Israel’s Lavi multi role fighter, Lavi program was cancelled in 1987 in Israel due to threatening from US. China purchased the blue print from Israel and developed J 10.
The detail of J 10 is hardly available. From the available data it’s very clear that Tejas is not inferior to J 10 . J 10 has advantage in weapon loads, range etc only because it is a bigger aircraft so J10 can carry more weapons.
Both aircrafts are pretty much maneuverable. One noticeable aspect of Tejas is its wing loading 247 Kg/m2 is much lower than the 381 Kg/m2 of J 10, which results in better agility. This low wing loading of Tejas gives better climb of rate & also gives good cruising performance cause it need less thrust to maintain the stable flight. This better climb rate is a give Tejas advantage in Himalayan regions. Heavier loaded wing is efficient in higher speed because it causes less drag but in overall performance level low wing loading offers better performance. Another advantage is a fighter with low wing loading can maintain better sustained turn rate (maximum turn an aircraft can achieve) aircraft with higher wing loading may have better instantaneous turn rate. So it is clear that in Himalayan regions a low wing loading Tejas can outperform a higher wing loading J 10 in most criteria’s.
Thrust to weight ratio of Tejas is 1.07, which is less compared to 1.15 of J 10. But it can be improved using a better power-plant. Overall the maneuverability is almost similar.
Both aircrafts are fitted with AESA radar, the capabilities of J10 B / J10 C is not available. According to some blogs “J10C is equipped with more advanced radar. It has a greater detection range than the J10 radar to simultaneously track 12 targets and against the ability of the six targets which pose the greatest threat” looks almost similar to Tejas AESA radar.
J 10C has better stealth features than J 10B. Chinese media calling it as a semi stealth fighter, but from our own research, it’s not going to be stealthier than Tejas, even though Chinese media claims it has a new technique to achieve stealth, and some of those claimed J10C is a threat to even F22. Whatever it is their comparison of J 10C with F 22 is laughable.
Overall Tejas can give tough competition to J 10B and is slightly inferior to J10C, Tejas Mk2 with better aerodynamics and more stealth features, can catch up with J10C.
~Compared to F 16
The F 16 has been a long used and studied by various air forces and their are a lot of counter strategies available against the airframe. It isn't stealth and does not have any substantiality robust EW capabilities. So I'm today's scenario F 16 is an outdated technology.
An analysis related to F 16's agility compared to HAL Tejas says that beyond high subsonic speeds the LCA provides better agility.
The F-16A/B has a generally higher performance engine than that used in the LCA with regard to fuel efficiency. As a result, it attains a higher range (1,930 km at 0 kg payload) versus the LCA (1,553 km at 0 kg payload) under similar conditions. As payload increases the LCA and the F-16A/B maintain this slight difference in range performance at high altitude.
In the horizontal plane STR, the LCA outperforms the F-16A/B at high Mach numbers and the F-16C/D under all Mach number regimes. The nimble LCA can out-turn an F-16A/B at higher Mach numbers and an F-16C/D by a significant margin at lower Mach numbers, which are encountered in a turning fight within visual range. As Mach number increases, the turn rates lower for the F-16 models at a faster rate than that for the LCA with a crossover point at Mach 0.65. At all higher Mach numbers, the difference in turn rates increases substantially once more. The LCA can also pull higher “gee” forces at high Mach numbers than the F-16A/B in the horizontal plane.
To read the complete analysis click on the button below.
TEJAS VS F 16
~Comparison with Gripen
The Gripen had been initially criticised for having an unsatisfactory safety record. But it was exported to many nations. The older variants of Gripen are all adjusted according to NATO standards. These aircraft are in true sense multirole. The Gripen E is an advanced 4++ gen variant of JAS 39 Gripen. It has a very impressive payload capability. An AESA radar and unmatched agility.
An analysis related to performance of various European fighters show that at close ranges and sustained flights the Gripen is even more manouverable than Sukhoi Su 35. The swedes actually claim it can kill Su 35. But Gripen isn't a completely indegeneous product of the Swedes. It has imported avionics and imported engine. It's safety record being quite unsatisfactory as it has seen 10 crashes with most of them blamed on glitches in flight control systems.
Excerpt ~
Simulation has the Gripen E shooting down the Su-35 at almost the same rate that the F-22 does. The Gripen E is estimated to be able to shoot down 1.6 Su-35s for every Gripen E lost, the F-22 is slightly better at 2.0 Su-35s shot down per F-22 lost. In turn the Su-35 is better than the F-35, shooting down 2.4 F-35s for each Su-35 shot down. The Su-35 slaughters the F-18 Super Hornet at the rate of eight to one, as per General Hostage’s comment. How that comes about is explained by the following graphic of instantaneous turn rate plotted against sustained turn rate.
To read the analysis related to Gripen's agility click on the button below.
GRIPEN'S AGILITY
The above mentioned analysis isnt a Solid Proof. The promised manouverability of Gripen is a question giving its limited engine thrust. The values of ITR and STR may not be considered completely true.
Conclusion
Tejas is a 4+ generation fighter which can give tough competition to any of the fourth gen fighters. Only Gripen NG has a considerable advantage over Tejas due to its superior avionics. After Tejas mk2 comes in Gripen won't also be invincible.
Future Development
LCA AF MK2
The MK2 is an improvement over LCA AF Mk1 with higher thrust engine. This aircraft will have improved survivability, maintainability and obsolescence mitigation. Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Unified Electronic warfare Suite (UEWS) and On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) are some of the state of the art technologies planned to be integrated. The cockpit design has been improved with bigger size, smart Multi function Displays (MFD) and smart Head Up Display (HUD).
The scope of FSED Phase 3 as per project sanction is as follows:-
Design, develop and build two aircraft with
New Engine
Necessary changes in the structure and systems to integrate the new engine
Weight reduction to improve performance
Unified EW Suite (UEWS)
Development of new DFCC, its test facilities and integration
Upgrade/modification/maintenance of test facilities.
Extensive studies were carried out at ADA to make suitable changes in LCA AF Mk2 to address the maintainability issues observed in LCA AF Mk1, improve the systems like fuel, landing gear and brakes, electrical, armament etc. Also a number of new/upgraded systems have been incorporated to make the aircraft more contemporary. As a result, the scope for FSED Phase 3 increased substantially due to extensive changes incorporated to have an improved aircraft with improved performance in all aspects. Important new/ upgrades of systems are listed below:
Introduction of 500mm plug in fuselage
Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar
On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS)
New Cockpit with larger size smart displays
One Mission Management and Display Computer (MMDC) in place of two Open Architecture Computers
HMDS based on optical sensor
Smart HUD with improved Field of Vision
Higher power Jet Fuel Starter
Servo controlled Airbrake under the command of DFCC control
Pressurized Fuel System
Unified Pylon Interface Computer (UPIC) in place of individual Pylon Interface Boxes
Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT)
Indigenous Actuators
NVG(Night vision Goggle) compatible lighting
Activities carried out
Presently, the configuration of LCA AF Mk2 has been frozen with all the design improvements and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been carried out in June 2014 and detail design is in progress. GE-F414 engine was selected as the higher thrust engine for LCA AF Mk2 and a contract was signed with M/s GE, USA in September 2012. The CDR of alternate engine has been completed. Engine is undergoing final qualification and lifting evaluation tests.
Aerodynamics
A number of aerodynamics improvements have been carried out to reduce drag and improve performance:
Drag reduction studies have been completed. Canopy reshaping, outer cowl modification, actuator fairing extension and supersonic pylons have resulted in approx 20 counts (8%) drag reduction in supersonic regimes.
Wind Tunnel studies have been completed.
Aero loads computations have been completed
Airframe
Three doors AAID finalized.
BMI material developed for high temperature applications.
Composite pipelines developed for ECS.
Spine widened for providing accessibility and maintainability.
Pilot step provided for pilot's emergency egress.
SPS bay redesigned to improve maintainability.
Engine
Aircraft engine bay ventilation scheme has been finalised.
Engine-Airframe Interface Control Diagram (ICD) has been prepared.
Aircraft Qualification Tests have been completed. ASMET (Air c r a ft Simulated Mission Endurance Tests) results are under discussion.
New JFS with higher torque GTSU- 135 is under development.
Mechanical Systems
Layouts preparation and detail design is in progress.
Feasibility to increase wheel size for increasing the capacity of brake system are in progress.
Trials to offload one hydraulic system to reduce the load on JFS during starting are going on. This will help in cold weather high altitude operations.
Liquid Cooling System configurations, separate for AESA and UEWS have been finalised.
Studies to shift the Air to Air refueling probe to right are in progress to obviate probe coming in Field of View of Head Up Display (HUD).
Integrated Flight Control System
DFCC: CDR completed Realization st of QT unit by 31 Dec 2016.
Indigenous Actuators: Primary Actuators QT completed, Iron Bird testing completed. Being evaluated on LCA Mk1. Secondary Actuators under development.
Avionics
Avionics architecture has been finalized.
New cockpit with bigger size (6”x8”) displays has been designed.
Development of new LRUs is in progress.
Avionics will be ready by Dec 2018.
Configuration of Active Phased Array based Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS) finalised.
The number of elements that can be incorporated with the existing geometry for the Antenna Array unit of AESA Radar has been finalised and performance parameters like range and Effective Radiated Power (ERP) computed.
Night Vision Goggl e (NVG) compatible L E D lights for Navigation lights and Taxi / Landing Lights are being developed. Engineering models have been developed. Performance is being evaluated.
Conformal antenna developed for V/UHF.
2. LCA Navy MK2
LCA Navy Programme to design and develop a Carrier Borne Fighter Aircraft was sanctioned in 2003 after the successful initial flight testing of LCA (Air Force) variant, Tejas. Two prototypes, a two seat Trainer (NP1) and a single seat Fighter (NP2) with more internal fuel have been developed in Phase-1 of the programme.
Phase-2 of LCA Navy Programme envisages development of two single seat Fighter aircraft with a new higher thrust engine (GE-F414-INS6) and further design optimization to reduce drag. LCA Navy MK2 would undergo weight reduction through a redesigned landing gear and associated structure and increased internal fuel as critical driving factors in its design. LCA Navy Mk2 will have enhanced mission performance and better maintainability.
Strengthening the LCA for carrier operations proved to be a nightmare for ADA. The fuselage of the aircraft has been broadened and the wing roots moved outwards. As a result, aircraft design has been optimized for supersonic flight with perfect conformance to area rule. (Tejas LCA and LCA Navy Mk-1 do not conform perfectly to area ruling resulting in high supersonic drag.)Mid section fuselage broadening allows undercarriage bays to be shifted outwards, allowing a simpler, straight and light undercarriage as in the Rafale. Mid section fuselage broadening also increases fuel capacity.
Indian Navy's Air Defence Ship, under construction. Launch speed over a 12 deg ramp is 100 kts; recovery speed during a no flare deck landing, using arrester gear, is 120 kts. Take off mass 13 tonne, recovery mass 10 tonne. Most stringent requirements are that the airframe will be modified: nose droop to provide improved view during landing approach; wing leading edge vortexes (LEVCON) to increase lift during approach and strengthened undercarriage. Nose wheel steering will be powered for deck maneuverability. The aircraft could carry a maximum payload of four tonnes and travel at a maximum speed of 1.6 times the speed of sound and at its slowest speed of 120 knots to 100 knots. The aircraft’s undercarriage (u/c) - required to perform flareless landings with a high sink rate of 7.1 rn/sec, - became grotesquely over-sized because of its positioning in the fuselage.
LEVCONs and new control laws will feature on the naval variant N-LCA, primarily being designed to operate from STOBAR aircraft carriers. The LEVCONS are two new CFD – optimized control surfaces that extend from the wing root leading edge and cater to better handling at low speeds, lower approach speeds, increased controllability at high AoA and possibly added nose pitch and optimized use of increased instability and added trim lift, as is the case with canards. No such feature is exists on any other aircraft in the world and even otherwise, the N-LCA is aerodynamically different when compared to the Air force version. Early N-LCA concepts also envisaged the use of two small nose canards for additional lift but wind tunnel tests ultimately proved them useless leading to their deletion. The N-LCA will also have strengthened airframe, fuel dump system, marginally reduced internal fuel (by about 200 Kg) , an arrester hook with damper and lengthened under carriage for more than double the strike rate of 3-5m/sec at 7-5m/sec.
GE’s F414-INS6 engine which will be used on Tejas MK-II aircraft is currently on schedule in development and testing. GE’s F414-INS6 engine includes a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) and added single-engine safety features. . Engine will also produce more thrust than previous versions
~ Current Status of N-LCA
The Indian navy never rejected N-LCA, actually it never said for sure it would accept N-LCA mk1, The N-LCA mk1 was supposed to be only fir testing purpose, Govt. of India sanctioned development of two LCA (Navy) Mk2 single seat Fighter prototypes (NP3 & NP4) under Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) Navy Ph-2. The LCA (Navy) Mk2 is being designed primarily to provide air defence to the fleet onboard Carrier and meeting all the mission objectives set out by the Indian Navy. Significantly improved aircraft performance largely better than AF-Mk1 and integration of full suite of weapons are capabilities inherent in the design. Hope the new improvements will lead to the induction of N-LCA into Indian Navy.
The main contributors to improvement in LCA (Navy) Mk2 have been identified as higher thrust engine, an increased wing area, an area ruled and streamlined configuration, lighter landing gear and structure, and improved systems layout towards better safety and maintainability. Flight control features to reduce approach speed even with an increase of around 2.5 tons of Carrier landing mass is a critical capability over LCA (Navy) Mk1. System Requirements Review (SRR) with participation of Indian Navy (IN) was carried out in detail with requirements capture and document prepared.
Based on requirement to consider wing folding to overcome the aft lift interference on INS Vikramaditya, a Technical Note was prepared and submitted to IN. The note details rationale behind Wing outboard shift for LCA(Navy) Mk2. Issues in not opting for a wing fold and also restrictions in carrier take of mass if the wing is retained as in Navy Mk1 was brought out.
Design & Development Activities
Aerodynamics & Configuration:
Air Vehicle Configuration of LCA (Navy) Mk2 is a critical activity during the concept design phase. The major activities carried out are:
Numerical Master Geometry (NMG) V0.6L has been base lined for detail design
Improving performance in terms of low supersonic wave drag, acceptable cg limits for stability and control criteria for zero ballast design.
Optimized LEVCON & Shelf Flaps to achieve approach speed reduction for carrier landing.
LEVCON converted into an active surface permitting operations with higher instability to achieve improved agility and performance.
Ventral Airbrakes for performance with low interference
Air intake redesigned for bigger GEF414-INS6 engine, with lip and cowl profiles and auxiliary doors optimized for superior performance at low speeds for improved carrier launch capability.
1:10 scale low speed wind tunnel model fabricated at NAL and was tested in the HAL wind tunnel.
Wind tunnel data correlation study with CFD simulation carried out and found to match very well.
Based on the iterations carried out in configuration performance evaluation was also computed to arrive at optimum solution. The major activities undertaken are:
Installed performance estimation of new GE-F414-INS6 engine in LCA (Navy) Mk2 was carried out
A comparative study on performance with contemporary Naval aircraft was carried out and shared with IN.
Mission performance analysis for three IN profiles viz., Air Defence, Anti ship and Ground strike were carried out and has been established to meet the IN requirements. Maximum capabilities in various IN defined missions to bring out margins available have also been evaluated.
Flight Control System and Control Law
Preliminary Design Document for IFCS including IFCS Architecture released. Study of alternate configurations for Active LEVCON including Single / Multiple Linear Actuators was carried out. TEX flap introduced for reducing approach speed which would provide ~5 knots speed reduction. Usage of available Electromechanical / Electro hydraulic actuators for Shelf flap is under finalization.
Avionics & Weapon systems
The Avionics architecture of LCA(Navy) Mk2 is to be adapted from the LCA-AF Mk2. Navy specific features are to be implemented based on interactions currently in progress with Indian Navy. Feedback on AESA Radar and Communication interface has been received from IN. Network communications requirements has been sought from IN. Preliminary cockpit layout study for 19.8 Degree HUD has been carried out and feedback provided to CSIO, Chandigarh who are developing this LRU.
Studies for integrating Automatic Carrier Landing System (ACLS) have been initiated with participation of IN. Interaction with NEC, Mumbai, to capture EMI/EMC interface requirements on Carrier carried out.
Under development Technologies for LCA
Development of critical advanced technologies for indigenous equipments and systems is in progress. Project sanctions for development of technologies have been given to identified work centers. The following project s has been completed;
- DALIA actuators
- Indigenous development of high strength titanium alloy Ti-10
- Development of Friction Stir Waelding Technology for Aircraft Structures
- Aerodynamic studies of performance of LCA wing with Vortex Generators
- LCF data generation testing on 15-5 PH steel
- Digital Communication Scheme for Tejas
On-going Projects
The following major projects have been initiated and are in progress
Development of V/UHF Conformal Antenna
Development of Digital Audio Control System (DACS)
Digital Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Indicators/ Transmitters
Development of improved RAM
Fatigue data generation on AA 7010 Aluminium alloy
Development of Zn-Ni plating as an alternate to cadmium plating
Development of high temperature beta titanium alloy DMR 700
Development of On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS)
Development of Cabin Shut Off Valve (CBSOV) of ECS,
Development of AMAGB Bearings
Advanced Subminiature Telemetry System,
Jet Fuel Starter (JFS) Mark 2
Development of MEMS based Pressure Transducers and temperature sensors for Hydraulics system.
Trainer variant of Tejas mk1
The Tejas trainer is a trainer version of India's mk1 variant. It is a twin tandem seat single engine fighter trainer. The trainer version is capable of doing all the war fighting duties that Mk1 variant is capable.
Generally a fourth generation fighter has a trainer variant where trainee pilot sits ahead and instructor sits behind. Pilot is exposed to near war like environment and high level G forces. But advanced simulators have made it possible these days to skip this step and make new pilot go directly on a solo training flight on a single seat aircraft. A lead in fighter trainer is still relevant. The trainer can be used to train pilots and can also be used in a combat. There are duplicated controls inside the cockpit for two seats. Where instructor can take control of aircraft whenever necessary or can correct any mistake done by pilot. The PV-5 and PV-6 were the first trainer variant prototypes. The NP-1 first naval prototype was also a twin seater. Most probably a twin seater version of Naval Tejas mk1 would be used to train fighter pilots to land on a carrier. The experienced instructor would sit behind while trainee sits forward and experiences the anxiety and adjustments done while landing on a carrier.
Most probably Tejas trainer program was developed to exploit the opportunity to do research as well as prove itself a nice option for foreign air forces. The FA 50 of Philippines falls in the same category.
Unmanned LCA
It was first in 2008 that a news came in that HAL would derive an unmanned variant of Tejas. Then in March 2017 it was massively reported that a team has already started work on the project to convert the LCA into a drone and India’s premier aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is confident that the project can be carried out within a short time frame.
“We have started an internal study on making a unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) on the Tejasplatform. Besides, we are confident on coming up with an unmanned version of Chetak helicopter as well,” HAL Chief T Suvarna Raju told ET.
Converting a semi stealth 4+ gen. fighter into a UCAV is quite feasible in India where the cruel environment of Himalayas have taken more lives of pilots than enemy fire power. Earlier conversion of a fighter into trainer has been done so that these fighters could be used as a target practice. Here the displays, the life support systems,the ejection seat and various other systems would be replaced by a large antenna that receives satellite navigation based commands. To operate a UCAV beyond line of sight of a ground based antenna, a robust satellite navigation is needed. Earlier only Americans had it so the developed predator drones. With an indigenous satellite navigation a flying high level unmanned bomber would killer.
India is already developing a stealth UCAV named Ghatak, but the load carrying capacity of such UCAVs is quite decent. The Tejas may be a light fighter but if converted into UCAV and judged by that standards Unmanned LCA would be a high capacity one.
The conversion of a full-fledged fighter system into an unmanned platform is an onerous task. Apart from the easier material changes, including removal of non-essential items (actuallynota simple task on the Tejas, as maintainability roadblocks have shown), the conversion of the Tejas — like Boeing’s conversion of the F-16 to the QF-16 — will involve major changes to the flight control system (FCS). The conversion will also involve the installation of a kill switch/flight termination system to make sure ground control can destroy the aircraft in flight and the addition of telemetry sensors and systems. But the centrepiece of the conversion will be the Tejas FCS. Because the current FCS is designed keeping in mind the health capabilities of a human pilots and intended to filter out human errors. The FCS would be completely new.
It would provide HAL a valuable amount of expertise in this field. It may also be converted into a live target practice drone. Generally a project is launched by agencies considering inputs and suggestions directly from officers of armed forces and analysts. It is not like just an idea is conceived to fulfill one man's flights of fantasy.
Operational Deployment
No. 45 Squadron IAF Flying Daggers
Tejas inducted into No. 45 Squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) on 01 Jul 2016. No. 45 Squadron, also called the "Flying Daggers", was last equipped with MiG 21 Bis Aircraft and operated from Nalia. It's motto is "Ajeet Nabha". The Squadron will operate from Bangalore for nearly two years before it moves to its designated location at Sulur near Coimbatore. It is the first fighter Squadron to be a part of the Southern Air Command of IAF headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram.
Why Tejas took 30 years ??
We are not interested in giving any reason for why Tejas delayed. There are numerous reasons from lack of testing facilities; sanctions etc. But we are bringing your attention to how much time taken to develop other 4+ & 5th Gen aircrafts.
F22 – 25 years
F 35 – 21 Years and continuing
J 10 – 18 years (To materialize the blue print of LAVI)
Rafale – 30 years
Typhoon – 20 years (collaboration of Four Countries)
India is only the seventh country which developed a fourth generation fighter aircrafts its own. Tejas is a 4+ generation fighter plane; as state of Art and as sophisticated as any found in Western Europe, USA or any of the developed countries of the world. It is a manned fighter plane and born out of collaboration of NAL, Bangalore with 300 Indian industries, 40 Research labs and 20 academic institutions working together for almost fifteen years. Never has such broad based public-private collaboration happened on such a sensitive and high security project for the country. What’s more, our scientific and technology community achieved this despite US sanctions against us that were in place then. We knew what we wanted, but we had no idea how to proceed – each element of the design, each raw material for the plane had to be designed from scratch. It had to be highly agile, light, able to achieve supersonic speeds and yet sturdy.
How sophisticated Tejas is can be seen from the fact that it takes a millisecond (1/ 5th of a second) to react to a command and is therefore too fast for a human to control. Thus humans had to design computers who could take over once human beings (pilots) determine the course of action for the plane. Such facts make Tejas the fasted and smartest fighter plane of its kind in the world today. But this project that should be making Indians proud and enhance the reputation of our scientists’ worldwide is coming under a harsh scrutiny now.
Tejas is being manufactured – is found to be lacking in production facilities and skilled manpower. A fall out of Tejas project is that it has lead to development of many sophisticated ‘by-products’ that are today being exported by Indian companies to Israel, USA and Sweden, considered world leaders in such products.
Tejas time line
1983
DRDO got permission to initiate a programme to design and develop a Light Combat Aircraft.
1984
Government of India set up Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) as the nodal agency developing the LCA and managing the programme.
1985
IAF generated Air Staff Requirements (ASR) for LCA in October 1985.
1986
Government allocated Rs. 575 Crores for the LCA programme.
Programme to develop an indigenous power plant (engine) - Kaveri was launched at GTRE.
1987
Project definition commenced in October 1987 with French aircraft major Dassault Aviation as consultants.
1988
Project definition phase completed in September 1988.
1989
Government review committee expressed confidence in LCA programme. It was decided that the programme will be implemented in two phases.
1990 - 1999
1990
Design of LCA was completed as a tail-less compound delta winged relaxed static stability aircraft.
Phase 1 (Technology Demonstrator) of the development was commenced to create the proof of concept.
1993
Full funding approved from April 1993 and development work for Phase 1 started in June.
1995
First technology demonstrator, TD-1, rolled out on 17th November.
1997
Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) for LCA design work started at HAL Hyderabad division and LRDE.
2001
4th January - the historic first flight of the Technology Demonstrator TD-1 marking a new era in the aviation history of India. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee named LCA – "Tejas" meaning Radiance in ancient Indian language Sanskrit.
2002
6th June - TD-2 made her successful maiden flight.
2003
Tejas crossed the sonic barrier for the first time
25th November - PV-1 made her successful maiden flight.
2005
1st December - PV-2 made her successful maiden flight.
2006
1st December - PV-3 flew for the first time for 27 minutes at an altitude of 2.5 km and at a speed of Mach 0.8. PV-3 was equipped with a more advanced pilot interface, refined avionics and higher control law capabilities compared with the previous versions.
2007
25th April - The first Limited Series Production LCA (LSP-1) made her first flight and reached a speed of Mach 1.1 in the very first flight.
PV-2 and PV-3 underwent sea-level trials at INS Rajali Naval Air Station, Arakkonam to study the effects of flying at sea-level, as all earlier trials have been conducted at Bengaluru which is 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea-level. The reliability of the LCA systems under the hot and humid conditions, as well as low level flight characteristics was tested.
7th September - Tejas Prototype Vehicle (PV-1) made a successful flight with two external drop tanks of 800 Ltrs capacity
25th October - Tejas PV-1 fired R-73 (CCM) missile for the first time. The trials were conducted off the Goa coast at INS Hansa Naval Air Station.
11th December - LITENING targeting pod was successfully tested on Tejas PV-2.
2008
28th May to 4th June - LCA Tejas prototypes PV-2 & PV-3 underwent hot weather trials at Air Force Station, Nagpur.
16th June - Tejas second Limited Series Production LCA (LSP-2) made its first flight.
7th November - LCA Prototype Vehicle-3 made first successful night flight.
13th December - PV-3 and LSP-2 completed the high altitude test at Leh, world's highest operational airfield.
2009
22nd January - Tejas completed 1000 flights.
October - PV-3 and LSP-2 completed air-to-ground weapons delivery trials.
26th November - Two seater (Trainer) version of Tejas (PV-5) made its maiden flight on 26 Nov 09.
7th December - Tejas speed envelope expanded to 1350 km/h (CAS) while performing flight flutter test in a dive to near sea level. These tests were conducted at INS Hansa, Goa.
2010 - 2019
2010
6th June - TD-2 made her successful maiden flight.
23rd April - LCA Tejas LSP-3 made maiden flight. LSP-3 is close to the final configuration including the new air-data computers.
Multi Mode Radar, new communication and navigation equipment and radar warning receiver. With this the LCA programme has completed 1350 test flights logging about 800 flying hours.
2nd June - First Flight of LCA Tejas LSP-4. Flight. In addition to the LSP-3 standard of preparation, the aircraft also flew with the Countermeasure Dispensing System.
19 November - First Flight of LCA Tejas LSP-5.
2011
10th January - Certification for the Release to Service.
2012
9th March - The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, LSP-7 accomplished its maiden flight from HAL Airport in Bengaluru
on 9th March 2012
29th April - The Naval version of the Indian Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, made its maiden flight from the HAL Airport in Bengaluru. This was a significant milestone in the history of Indian Aviation in designing a naval variant of a fighter aircraft.
2013
22nd February - The LCA took part in the Iron Fist Exercise in Pokhran, Jaisalmer
31st March - The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, LSP-8 accomplished its maiden flight from HAL Airport, Bengaluru
20th December - Initial Operation Clearance - 2
Indian Defence Minister Mr. A.K. Antony handed over the "Release to Service Document" of the country’s own Light Combat Aircraft to The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne.
2014
1st October - First Flight of LCA Tejas SP 1 - The first Tejas Light Combat Aircraft from the batch of 20 ‘series production’ or full-fledged fighters flew for about 25 minutes in Bengaluru. The flight of ‘SP1’ was piloted by HAL’s Chief Test Pilot Air Cmde K.A. Muthanna(retd). The First Flight of SP1 was achieved within nine months of receiving the penultimate flight worthiness certification, called IOC-2 (initial operational clearance) in December 2013.
8th November - LCA Tejas PV-6 (Prototype Vehicle 6), a final configuration two-seater trainer aircraft, successfully completed its maiden flight at the HAL Airport in Bengaluru.
20th December - Maiden Ski Jump of LCA NP-1 - The first prototype of the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Naval version - LCA NP-1 completed its maiden flight as part of the carrier compatibility tests at the shore-based test facility in Goa.
2015
17th January - IAF gets first indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas - The LCA Tejas Series Production-1 (SP1) was handed over by Defence Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar to Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Arup Raha in Bengaluru on Saturday.
7th February - The Second Prototype of the Light Combat Aircraft, the NP-2, flew her maiden flight on 7th February 2015 from HAL Airport in Bengaluru. Piloted by Capt. Shivnath Dahiya (Indian Navy), the aircraft performed flawlessly in the first-flight
2016
21st - 23rd January - India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas for the first time participated in an International Air Show in Bahrain, an event witnessed by External Affairs Minister of India Smt. Sushma Swaraj.
The display of India's defence technology comes at a time when the government is giving a strong push to its flagship 'Make in India' programme.
18th May - IAF Chief Arup Raha has his first sortie in LCA Tejas; says it’s a “good aircraft” for induction
Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Arup Raha on18th May 2016 had his first sortie in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), after which he called it a “good aircraft for induction”. “It is my first sortie in Tejas, it is a good aircraft for induction into IAF operations,” Raha said.
1st July - Historical day for India: First squadron Inducted into the IAF
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over the first two Tejas aircrafts to Indian Air Force which will make up the 'Flying Daggers' 45, the name of the first squadron of the LCA.
August - Leh - High Altitude and Hot Weather Trials
The Tejas Trainer PV-6 (KH-T-2010) underwent High Altitude and Hot Weather Trials in Leh. Along with the machine, the men responsible for the activities also gained more experience by the harsh weather conditions.
8th October - LCA Tejas Makes Debut Appearance At 84th Air Force Day Celebrations
India's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas performed at the 84th Air Force Day Celebrations amid Loud Cheers from the audience at the Hindon Air Force Base on the outskirts of New Delhi. Rising up to the expectations to the theme of this year's IAF Day "MAKE IN INDIA"
8th November - The Ministry of Defence gives clearance for 83 LCA Tejas MK1A
2017
26th January - LCA Tejas made its debut at the 68th Republic Day parade
LCA Tejas made its debut at the 68th Republic Day parade. Three Tejas aircraft participated in the fly-past
Greatest Achievement of Tejas program.
What’s the most important thing to develop a technology/ product? Different peoples have different opinions some may say money, someone may find human resource is the most important thing. Yes all these are very important but one thing stood up above all these that is the research and test facilities; these are the most important thing to develop anything.
The biggest thing is that Tejas created the ecosystem for aviation in India. Earlier there was no ecosystem for aviation in India. There was HAL and nobody else. Now it is HAL, 500 industries, 40-50 laboratories, 20 academic institutions and it is a big network. It is no longer one or two people working or one DRDO lab working or NAL working. It is a network. This ecosystem that we have created through LCA is a great thing.
Through Tejas India got wind tunnel test facilities, anechoic chambers, simulators etc etc . Some of the major test facilities achieved through Tejas are following.
~ Major test facilities built for LCA
Engineer In Loop simulator at NAL
Real time control law design simulator with excellent real world visuals
Rapid prototyping tool for Tejas handling qualities optimization
Simulator has been used to develop and integrate the six degrees of freedom DoFs model; all the critical subsystem models of Tejas such as primary actuator nonlinear models complex undercarriage model, etc.
Structural coupling test facilities at HAL
Provides necessary instrumentation and control for conducting the structural coupling test on the Tejas aircraft
Provides adequate data for notch filter design to avoid control structure interaction and for flight clearance towards aircraft structure.
Computer controlled VXI and GPIB based automatic test equipment
IFSC Evaluation Facility at ADA
Real-time, ground based test facility equipped with state of the art air data test station air data test system flight dynamics simulator engineering test station portable avionics test station data acquisition and analysis and storage systems
Developed for Tejas IFCS evaluation with air data computers.
Real avionics LRU interfaces with DFCC in open-loop mode.
Automated test facility for enhanced throughput with minimal human intervention.
Dome Based Real Time Simulator
Simulator for pilot in loop evaluation of control law for handling quality assessment.
Inner surface of the 9mdiameterdomeis used as the projection screen.
6-channel projection system configured using high endgraphics card.
Geometrically-corrected, edge-blended, seamless projection of the imagery on dome surface.
Mini Bird Test facility at ADA
Real-time, hardware in loop and engineer in loop ground based test facilities for carrying out hardware software integration.
Provides capability to drive the DFCC OFP either through the control of engineer pilot or through the canned inputs from the host computer.
Hydraulic rig provides interface between DFCC and actuators Visual display provided in the cockpit.
Iron bird-1 & iron Bird-2 test facilities
Real-time hardware in loop and engineer/pilot in loop ground based test facility for Tejas IFCS evaluation.
The ironmongery is similar to Tejas fighter structure and all FCS actuators are mounted and hydraulically powered.
Tejas single pilot cockpit simulated avionics system under carriage and nose wheel system are also coupled in the rig.
Engineering test station to interface with DFCC and to inject failures and flight dynamics simulator to simulate the flight.
A host of data acquisition analysis and storage computers.
Sub system integration system integration performance verification of air data system and control law pilot -in loop normal failure mode and fault free tests and built in tests for IFCS are carried out.
Virtual Reality Environment
ADA also built a virtual reality environment for Tejas. ADA won’t need to develop the actual aircrafts to check its design with the use of virtual reality (VR), 360 degree immersible software, simulators, and mock-up displays ADA can check every single detail of the aircraft.
Shore Based Test Facility – INS Hansa
The SBTF is primarily used for flight testing of naval aircraft that operate from aircraft carriers. Only four countries in the world have SBTF or LBTF; they are China, India, Ukraine / Russia and the United States. The SBTF has two parts including the Take-off Area with a ski-jump facility and the Landing Area with arresting wire facility, both of which are a replica of INS Vikramaditya. This is also being replicated onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant being built at Kochi.
General Characteristics
Performance
• Max speed Supersonic at all altitudes
• Service Ceiling 50,000 ft
• ‘g’ Limits +8/-3.5
Dimensions
• Span 08.20 m
• Length 13.20 m
• Height 04.40 m
Weight
• Take-off Clean 9800 kg
• Empty 6560 kg
• External Stores 3500 kg
Special Features
Compound Delta Planform
Relaxed Static Stability
Composite Structure
Fly-by-wire Flight Control
Computer based monitor and control of Electro Mechanical Systems
Glass Cockpit
Multi-Mode Radar
External stores
Air-to-air Missiles
Air-to-ground Missiles
Anti-ship Missiles
Laser Guided Bombs
Conventional Bombs
GSh-23 Gun
Drop Tanks
Airframe
Optimized Structural Design considering strength, buckling and aero-servo-elastic requirements for carriage of heavy external stores
Design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA)
90% of wetted surface area is made of Composites.
Co-cured composite Fin, Co-cured and co-bonded trouser duct and engine bay door made of high temperature composites.
Indigenously developed metallic materials and processes like large size aluminium alloy forgings, control stretched extrusions, maraging steel and PH stainless steel
Avionics and weapon System
Advanced Glass Cockpit with High Performance Graphics to Support Situational Awareness, Decision Support and Data Fusion
Dual Redundant Open Architecture Mission and Display Computer
UML Based Modeling, IEEE-12207, ADA-95 On-Board Flight Certified Avionics Application Software
Computer Controlled Utility System and Management System (USMS)
Helmet Mounted Sight, Multi Mode Radar, Litening Pod and Radar Warning Receiver
Digital Weapon Management System Compatible to Russian, Western and MIL-1760C Weapons
Single Avionics Application Cater to Multiple Variants of Aircrafts
Well Proven Air-to-Air, Air-to- Ground Attack Modes
General Systems
Major Mechanical System includes
Microprocessor Controlled Brake Management System
Environment Control System
Fuel System
Nose Wheel Steering System
Landing Gear System
Hydraulic System
Secondary Power System
Life Support System
Escape System
Integrated Flight Control System
State-of-the-art Full Authority Quadruplex Digital Fly-By-wire Flight Control System
Fault Tolerant Digital Flight Control Computer with built-in Redundancy Management
Fail Operational, Fail Operational, Fail Safe DFCS and Fail Operational, Fail Safe Air Data System
Robust Control Laws for Stability and Command Augmentation, Carefree Manoeuvring, Autopilot Control and Ski Jump Functionalities
Advanced Flight Control Actuators incorporating both Hydraulic and Electrical Redundancy
Range of Ground Based Test Facilities for Integrated Flight Control System Development, Handling Qualities Evaluation, Non-Real Time Tests, Real Time Simulation, Hardware-in-loop Simulation, Structural Coupling Tests, Lightning Test, Ground Check out Systems and Flight Test
Test Facilities equipped with State-of-the-art Flight Dynamic Simulator, Engineering Test Station, Air Data Test Station, High End Projection Systems, Data Acquisition, Analysis and Storage System
Propulsion Systems
Propulsion System consists of
• Engine – GE-F404-IN20 for LCA Mk1, GE-F414-INS6 for LCA Mk2
• Jet Fuel Starter (JFS)
• Engine Health Monitoring Electronic Unit
• Engine Parts Life Tracking and Management System (Net enabled Ground Stations)
• Engine maintenance shop and Engine Test Facilities
• Completion of Propulsion Systems flight test points for Full Operational Clearance (FOC)
• Demonstration of high angle of attack capability, and altitude up to 15 km.
• Demonstration of in-flight relight capability
• Demonstration of operation from high altitude, cold weather conditions at Leh, Ladakh.
• Impeccable maintenance record of Engine and Jet Fuel Starter
• Engine Integration activities of GE-F414-INS6 in LCA Mk2 on schedule
• Portable Engine Maintenance Test Facility under development
~ Conclusion
So friends this was our 21st century wonder. Many websites carefully hide the plus points and report other challenges as a negative point in an order to create a picture in the minds of people that Tejas isn't a good aircraft. Friends making a fighter aircraft is no joke. You have seen on your own that development if many small systems need development of laboratories, which were not available at first place. These labs developed for LCA's systems have already reduced the time needed to make AMCA.
Tejas is contemporary 4+ generation fighter that can take on any aircraft of Pakistan Air Force and any single engine fighter in PLA-Air Force. The mk2 version of Tejas would be matchless.
Content Sources / References
Official Website of DRDO, HAL, NAL, CSIR , DRDE, CEIMILIC
Delhi Defence Review
Trishul Trident Blog
Livefist
Defence Blog
Indian Defence Forum
Some private sources in HAL.
Tejas is a 4+ generation, supersonic, highly maneuverable, multi-role, smallest and lightest in its class contemporary combat aircraft designed for the Indian Air Force designed and developed by...
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