HAL Tejas | Updates, News & Discussions

[SRP]

 

[FOX80]

NEW DELHI: The much talked about Tejas, India's first indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is all set to finally replace the ailing 'vintage' series of MiG-21 for the Indian Air Force. For the uninitiated, Tejas is a single seater-single engine aircraft that boasts of many stealth-like features.
The all weather combat aircraft has been extensively tested in 'tough' flying conditions since its maiden test flight in 2001 says DRDO, the government department tasked with building this aircraft. The principal partner of LCA is Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) and its divisions located in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Nasik, and Korwa.
Ever since the idea of developing an indigenous combat aircraft came about in 1983, much has been said about the capability and cost-effectiveness of the LCA. The design and development of the aircraft was plagued by numerous delays, and critics of the project have often raised questions about the 'time lag' that has taken place. However, the DRDO challenges this notion and claims that the Tejas LCA in its current form is one of the best 'modern aircraft' available in the world, with technology that 'will not go obsolete' for decades.

For DRDO chief Avinash Chander, Tejas is a 'dream come true'. "For the first time armed forces will be equipped with an indigenous aircraft. The production and maintenance of which is in our hands," he told Economictimes.com.

While admitting that there have been delays, Chander said that the DRDO is not 'much off the mark' compared to the average time cycle required to develop such an aircraft. "The type of time cycle for such an aircraft - from the drawing board to field is normally twenty years. We are not much off the mark," he said.

Ravi Kumar Gupta, Scientist 'G' and Directorate of Public Interface at DRDO also said the same to Economictimes.com. "It was only in 1993 that the proposal for development of Tejas was submitted. The maiden flight of Tejas took place in 2001. It took a total of 20 years from 1993 to 2013. This time period is the standard required by any country, even the most advanced ones," Gupta said.
Journey of Tejas - From 1983 to 2001 --- Plenty of teething problems

Back in 1983, the government first sanctioned Rs 560 crore for a 'Programme Definition Project'. The aim of the project was to determine whether India had the capability to manufacture a combat aircraft, and if yes, then what should the configuration be. Apart from this, the project was also supposed to gauge the challenges that DRDO was likely to face and the possible solutions.

Post report submission in 1988, the government sanctioned Rs 2,188 crore (which included the Rs 560 crore sanctioned earlier) for the design and development of an LCA.

Ravi Kumar Gupta, Scientist 'G' and Directorate of Public Interface at DRDO told Economictimes.com, "In 1993, the industry had limited experience and competence scope. The manufacturing base to build such an aircraft did not exist."
Gupta also claimed that all-throughout the development process, 'foreign powers' tried to scuttle the project. Faced with difficulties such as lack of skilled manpower, the DRDO took help of institutes like IITs and IISc to make sure that progress of the project was not hampered.
What's unique to the LCA?

In its current form, Tejas is almost similar to a stealth as it has quite a few features in common with the coveted jet. "The wings are made entirely of composite structures. The contemporary aircraft has a totally digital fly-by-wire control system," Gupta told Economictimes.com.

It incorporates a 'glass cockpit' in which information is displayed in 'real-time' to the pilot. "Tejas also has open architecture software for avionics. DRDO can update it as and when required," said Gupta citing the same as a big plus point of the aircraft. However, Gupta declined to compare the Tejas with any global aircraft of the same type.
Another feature that is special to Tejas is the 'unstable configuration' technique with which it has been built, said Gupta. 'To explain it in lay-man terms, between a bike and a car, a car is much more stable, but is unable to exhibit the same manoeuvrability as a bike. Combat aircraft need to be highly manoeuvrable.'

Gupta explained, that to strike a balance between the two aspects was a big technological challenge for the DRDO.
Variants & Cost of project:

The DRDO is developing four versions of the LCA; viz., LCA for Air Force, LCA trainer for Air Force, LCA for Navy and LCA Navy Trainer. DRDO has also developed a special facility in Goa that mimics the conditions for a Tejas for Navy landing, take-off and manoeuvre from an aircraft carrier.

While the Indian Air Force will induct Mark-I type Tejas LCA, a demand for Mark-II type Tejas has already been raised, which the DRDO is work on. The Mark-II type Tejas aircraft will have a better thrust and improved radar system.
Through the years, DRDO has tested Tejas with different kinds of weaponry. From R-73 air-to-air missile to bomb dropping (including laser guided bombs), various weapons have been successfully test fired from the aircraft.

In future, DRDO also plans test firing of the indigenous Astra missile and guns from Tejas.

The Tejas LCA Air Force versions have till date cost the DRDO approximately Rs 7,000 crore. According to Gupta this is a 'very small fraction' compared to the development cost of other similar aircraft in the world.

Production of the aircraft is already underway and two aircraft of the production version of Tejas should be ready by the first half of 2014. The Tejas will be battle ready for IAF by the end of 2014.
Engine from GE:

Tejas Mark-I aircraft is powered by General Electric Aviation engine GE-404. After the initial supply of 99 engines (GE F-404 and GE F-414) for IAF and Indian Navy, the rest shall be manufactured by HAL in India after obtaining a licence under a transfer of technology agreement. GE F-414 will power the Mark-II Tejas.
Advantage India:

For Chander, the potential to tweak the existing Tejas and produce variants, along with the confidence in the Indian aviation industry, that the LCA has generated, are the biggest two fundamental advantages of the project.
"Given that there was no developed aviation industry in India back then, the Tejas is an excellent achievement," Chander told Economictimes.com. Not only that, Chander also said that the lifecycle cost of the LCA will be around 50% lower than any acquired aircraft. "Once an aircraft is acquired, the maintenance costs tend to spiral. In case of Tejas, we now have the capability of stocking up the parts and being ready in advance, in case the need arises," Chander substantiated.
Amidst much cynicism about the eventual success of Tejas for the IAF and Navy, one positive outcome is that the design and development of the LCA has helped establish an entire ecosystem that will work as a platform for future aircraft manufacturing in the country. Having built Tejas from the scratch, the DRDO now claims has the right combination of trained manpower and manufacturing base to establish India's defence prowess on a global scale. At a conceptual level, the DRDO is already working on Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

2013 has been an eventful year for India, both in the defence and the science & technology sectors. While ISRO's Mars mission is on track to create history, many missiles from DRDO, including the Agni series, have been test-fired successfully. India is at the cusp of establishing itself as a global power, and with more and more defence & science projects lined up for the years ahead, the country is finally set to get its due recognition on the world stage.

 

[egodoc222]

An indigeneous AESA radar by DRDO,tell me truthfully do u really think they can build this and still get tejas mk-2 on time?If it was imported from israel,perhaps.
Don't get me wrong..that they are getting an home built radar is great ,but i'm skeptical and given history have a right to be skeptical about these bold claims.

you tell me u ever thought lca would be inducted today?

 

[faithfulguy]

Congrats to India for inducting LCA.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

 

[Water Car Engineer]

12 month to-do list:

1. Expand flight envelope to -3.5 to 8G (Currently -2 to 6G).
2. 24° angle of attack (Currently 22°).
3. In-flight refuelling capability (Integration of Cobham probe complete).
4. Demonstration of Rafael ADS Derby BVR air-to-air missile.
5. Demonstration of Rafael ADS Python-5 IIR close combat missile (Related post here).
6. Completion of integration & demonstration of KBP Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 23mm cannon.
7. New design drop tanks for supersonic flight.
8. New radome to improve radar and electromagnetic performance.
9. Validate more efficient cooling system for aircraft braking assembly.
10. Additional weapons testing, including PGM

 

[Abingdonboy]

@Dash @Abingdonboy

Just remembered something again, wrt the MK2 display:

http://s7.directupload.net/images/131220/ubtg9aza.jpg

http://s1.directupload.net/images/131220/pb7i2e8p.jpg

So, bigger upgraded displays, not the large touchscreen displays.

Yeah I remember this bro, let's just wait and see- my freind was pretty confident wrt the COCKPIT-NG.

12 month to-do list:

3. In-flight refuelling capability (Integration of Cobham probe complete).

Surely not- the Mk.1 was never meant to have an IFR probe- this is meant for the MK.2 :S

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Surely not- the Mk.1 was never meant to have an IFR probe- this is meant for the MK.2 :S

Thought the same, but it seems it's coming sooner.

Tejas will also have an air-to-air refuelling probe (Cobham, UK) in the FOC configuration. “We have started the integration work. Similar work was done on Jaguar and AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) platform. We have the expertise now,” Tamil Mani saidhere.

Tejas Needs to Cross 6 Milestones in 15 Months -The New Indian Express

 

[Abingdonboy]

Thought the same, but it seems it's coming sooner.



Tejas Needs to Cross 6 Milestones in 15 Months -The New Indian Express

Hmm, great news if true but I'm a bit skeptical right now. Let's see.....

@sancho?

 

[HariPrasad]

12 month to-do list:

1. Expand flight envelope to -3.5 to 8G (Currently -2 to 6G).
2. 24° angle of attack (Currently 22°).
3. In-flight refuelling capability (Integration of Cobham probe complete).
4. Demonstration of Rafael ADS Derby BVR air-to-air missile.
5. Demonstration of Rafael ADS Python-5 IIR close combat missile (Related post here).
6. Completion of integration & demonstration of KBP Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 23mm cannon.
7. New design drop tanks for supersonic flight.
8. New radome to improve radar and electromagnetic performance.
9. Validate more efficient cooling system for aircraft braking assembly.
10. Additional weapons testing, including PGM

Point No 2.

24* AOA already demonstrated. i hope they will reach 28* by FOC.

Point No 1

It is said that LCA hit 8 G on some of the occasions. One of the incident was Aero India 2011.

 

[kurup]

and white

Drop tank .

is there is any twin seater tejas present

Twin seaters are present in both airforce and naval variants .

 

[fsayed]

by 2020 India will major defence aviation giant our menu will b lca,lca navy,lca mk2,dhruv,Rudra,lch,mta,pakfa,luh,indigenous awacs by 2020 no more defence aviation imports dependence we will b exporters. Jai ho jai hind proud to b indian

 

[DARIUS]

From the Cockpit
LCA Tejas - From the Cockpit

 

[HariPrasad]

by 2020 India will major defence aviation giant our menu will b lca,lca navy,lca mk2,dhruv,Rudra,lch,mta,pakfa,luh,indigenous awacs by 2020 no more defence aviation imports dependence we will b exporters. Jai ho jai hind proud to b indian

Add AMCA prototype.

 

[IND151]

PS Subramanyam, Director Aeronautical Development Agence (ADA), in an exclusive interview with Broadsword

Q. How good is the Tejas, which now has an initial operational clearance?

As a technologist I would say that many improvements have been made in the last three years. We have successfully addressed all the apprehensions the Indian Air Force (IAF) had.

Today there are no serious technology challenges ahead. This year, we have test-flown the Tejas from IAF bases like Jaisalmer, Uttarlai, Jamnagar and Gwalior. In all these places, we operated the aircraft ourselves, while the IAF watched. We demonstrated that we could turn around the same aircraft after a gap of an hour or so. On occasions, one Tejas did three sorties a day. The IAF technicians and maintenance officers eventually told us that they now see an aircraft that is reliable enough for combat operations.

Q. Is the Tejas Mark I ready for war?

From the standpoint of operational preparedness, Initial Operational Clearance provides the capability of firing missiles, dropping laser guided bombs, conventional bombs and practice bombs. These weapons have been fired with sensors --- inertial navigation systems, and radar and laser systems. That show the Tejas performs well as an integrated weapons platform.

Q. But there are many weapons systems that are still not fitted?

All that is pending is the integration of the “beyond visual range”, or BVR, missile. We are obtaining a BVR missile from Israel for integration and demonstration.

Inflight refuelling capability, and the integration of a BVR missile and a gun are capabilities that will be achieved before the Tejas gets Final Operation Clearance. The IOC clearance, according to conventions world wide, are this --- conventional and guided bombs and close combat missiles.

Q. Given the long time that IOC has taken, what would you say is a realistic date for getting FOC?

I’m targeting FOC for end-2014. This is realistic because the design processes are not starting now. The inflight refuelling system was ordered a year ago. Design and development for this has been on-going and some of the work is already half completed. So I am confident.

Q Is the Tejas going to be a hangar queen” or is it easy to maintain?

I’m glad that the IAF has pushed us to ensure that this aircraft is maintenance friendly. We have had IAF technicians and officers on the shop floor with us when we prepare the aircraft for sorties. They watch for difficulties in maintenance. Based on their suggestions, which they convey to us through “Requests for Action”, we have carried out some 200 design corrections to make the Tejas more maintenance friendly. We are trying to reduce the “maintenance man-hours per flight-hour”.

This exercise has been done over the last three years and the IAF now believes that Tejas is maintenance friendly. Notwithstanding that, Maintenance Evaluation Trials will be carried out in a couple of months. I always say that when we buy a car, we don’t just want it to go at 140 kmph. More importantly, we want it to be available to us everyday.

Q. You’ve set ambitious timelines for the Tejas Mark II. Are they unrealistic?

We are close to finalizing the engine contract with General Electric, the chosen vendor. By the first quarter of the next year, i.e. March 2014, the preliminary design would have been frozen. Somewhere in 2018, the Mark II will be ready for productionisation. This time there will be no prototypes. We will design for production. We have learned from the mistakes we made in the Tejas.

Besides, there is no ambiguity in the Mark II, as there was in the Mark I. There are not likely to be any changes in the engine, radar, missile, communications. The equipment is known.

Q. The navy is concerned at the lack of progress in the Naval LCA

The naval Tejas is a different challenge. We had incorrectly thought that deriving a naval variant from an air force variant would be easier. But, as we learnt, it is the other way round.

We began with an undercarriage built for the air force Tejas. But landing on an aircraft carrier involves a much higher descent rate, which means the landing gear must be much stronger. When the aircraft catches the arrestor hook, the deceleration is enormous. When we did the load analysis, the whole bottom gear had to be re-engineered.

I will not hesitate to say today that deriving a naval variant from an air force variant of the Tejas is a sub-optimal solution. But, having learnt this, the Mark II will be an optimal solution. We will not do any derivative from the air force version. It will be, ab initio, a naval design.

Q. After the Tejas, ADA has been pushing hard for a programme to develop an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)? Where is that?

There is no approved programme yet, but the DRDO had approved a feasibility study which we have done. We are trying to arrive at the specifications of an engine that can give us supercruise (i.e. flying at supersonic without afterburner) but that kind of engine is not readily available. So we are deliberating on whether we should start designing an engine ab initio, or improve upon an existing engine. The IAF is very keen on the AMCA.

Q. How long would this take to enter service?

The AMCA would need 7-10 years for development, and so would enter production only in the mid-2020s. We would require time for building prototypes, stabilising the design, establishing a production line. We would gain expertise from the (Indo-Russian) Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme.

Q. Would we have both the AMCA and the FGFA?

These are two different classes of aircraft and there is no clash between them. The FGFA is a 30 tonne class heavy fighter with a long range. The AMCA would be a 20 tonne medium fighter, with an extreme range of about 1000 km.

Nor does it clash with the MMRCA. The Rafale is an early-1990s design. It does not fall into the 5th generation in terms of stealth characteristics. So the air force sees a place for the AMCA in its future fleet.

Broadsword: "There are no serious technology challenges ahead" says PS Subramanyam, Director ADA

@Capt.Popeye @sancho