HAL Tejas | Updates, News & Discussions

[indiatech]

EADS plans to ride the LCA into Indian market

Aero India 09, Yelahanka, Bangalore

Business Standard, 12th February 09


At the opening of the Aero India 09 defence exposition today, Defence Minister AK Antony clearly enjoyed what must have seemed like a wild-west style shootout. One after another, four contenders for India’s purchase of 126 medium fighters --- the Eurofighter Typhoon, the F/A-18, the F-16 and the MiG-35 --- took to the skies in a fiesta of aerobatics clearly aimed at impressing the decision-makers who must decide which aircraft will win the $12 billion contract.



But the performance that evoked Mr Antony’s praise was that of the Indian-built Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Although more cautious than the all-out performances of the established fighters, the Tejas went far beyond anything it had ever displayed before, surprising the spectators with steep climbs, an inverted pass, high-gravity turns and loops.



Addressing the press, Mr Antony remarked, “I was very excited to see the LCA. After many years we could see the LCA doing manoeuvres… I was excited to see the Indian-made LCA in Indian skies.”



But even amidst success, the Tejas LCA is struggling to overcome major development hurdles. Its maker, Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken the crucial decision to bring in a design consultant, a global aerospace major that would assist HAL to overcome persistent design glitches that dog the LCA, including fuel distribution, uneven braking, flight controls, environment controls and testing. And while US-based Boeing has declined to supply such know-how, German-Spanish consortium, EADS, one of the makers of the Eurofighter, has aggressively pursued the consultancy as a way of flying into the Indian market.



In multiple interviews with senior Indian and EADS officials who requested anonymity, Business Standard has pieced together the EADS strategy. The company has decided to supply India with high technology for Indian products that are not directly competing with an EADS product. The Tejas is not in the same category as the heavier Eurofighter.



Having established its presence in the Tejas programme, EADS is confident that it would be well positioned to get its Eurojet EJ200 engine accepted for the Tejas. India is currently deciding between the EJ200 and the GE-414 engine for powering future squadrons of the Tejas.



And EADS believes that winning the contract for the EJ200 engine, and producing it in India, would position it perfectly for the lucrative medium fighter contract; twin EJ200 engines power the Eurofighter.



While willing to part with the technology assistance needed to get the LCA over its hump, EADS worries about the possibility of eventually being held responsible for a possible failure in the Tejas development.



“Let’s be clear that we are not underwriting the LCA programme”, says a senior European official related with the contract. Another likens EADS’s role to helping someone in a dark room turn on the light switch. But EADS will do no more than indicate the direction of the switch.



The German and Spanish governments have already permitted EADS to part with the technology needed for the Tejas programme; the US government, in contrast, imposed stringent restrictions on Boeing. Explains a senior EADS official, “If we don’t supply technology, India will develop it anyway, perhaps with some delay. So it is better for us to establish our presence here, partner India in the Tejas, and perhaps even market it together.”



Attached Pic: The fourth of the Limited Series Production (LSP) run, nearing completion in a hangar in HAL, Bangalore

 

[nitesh]

“Let’s be clear that we are not underwriting the LCA programme”, says a senior European official related with the contract. Another likens EADS’s role to helping someone in a dark room turn on the light switch. But EADS will do no more than indicate the direction of the switch.

So this clearly indicates where exactly EADS will come in to play, with there experience in developing fighters before they will help in opening the flight envelope faster.

The German and Spanish governments have already permitted EADS to part with the technology needed for the Tejas programme; the US government, in contrast, imposed stringent restrictions on Boeing. Explains a senior EADS official, “If we don’t supply technology, India will develop it anyway, perhaps with some delay. So it is better for us to establish our presence here, partner India in the Tejas, and perhaps even market it together.”

Now this is good so they realized that restrictions are futile

 

[zombie:-)]

Attached Pic: The fourth of the Limited Series Production (LSP) run, nearing completion in a hangar in HAL, Bangalore

mate its old here is somethin new

check it out pilots conducting taxi trials and pre flight checks co this baby might take to the skies sooner than you thought

 

[LCA]

Some details about Elta-2052 AESA radar for LCA

Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

GENERAL:

The EL/M-2052 is an advanced Airborne Fire Control Radar (FCR) designed for air-to-air superiority and advanced strike missions. The FCR is based on fully solid-state active phase array technology. This new technology enables the radar to achieve a longer detection range, high mission reliability and a multi-target tracking capability of up to 64 targets. The EL/M-2052 radar incorporates ELTA’s decades of field-proven experience with real operational feedback from Israeli Air Force combat pilots.

The EL/M-2052 radar introduces new dimensions to the Air-to-Air, Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Sea operation modes of the aircraft. In the Air-to-Air mode, the radar enables a very long-range multi targets detection and enables several simultaneous weapon deliveries in combat engagements. In Air-to-Ground missions, the radar provides very high resolution mapping (SAR), surface moving target detection and tracking over RBM, DBS and SAR maps in addition to A/G ranging. In Air-to-Sea missions the radar provides long-range target detection and tracking, including target classification capabilities (RS, ISAR).

FEATURES:

Pulse Doppler, all aspect, look-down shoot-down capabilities
Solid-State, Active Phased Array technology
Simultaneous multi-targets tracking and engaging.
Simultaneous multi-mode operation
High ECM immunity
Ultra-low side-lobe antenna
Two axes monopulse guard channel
Flexible interfaces and growth potential.
Modular hardware and software
Spare memory and computing power
High mission reliability (built with redundancy)

MODES:

Air-to-Air:

Multi-target detection and tracking
Multi-target ACM
High resolution raid assessment

Air-to-Ground:

High resolution mapping (SAR Mode)
AGR – Air-to-Ground Ranging
RBM – Real Beam Map
DBS – Doppler Beam Sharpening
GMTI on RBM, DBS, SAR
GMTT on RBM, DBS, SAR
Beacon
Weather

Air-to-Sea:

Sea search and multi target tracking
RS and ISAR classification modes



PHYSICAL CHARATERSTICS:

Weight : 130-180 Kg. , depending on antenna size

Power : 4-10 KVA. , depending on antenna size

 

[LCA]

Any body know the weight of MMR????

 

[nitesh]

AERO INDIA: India unveils plans for LCA 'Mark 2'

AERO INDIA: India unveils plans for LCA 'Mark 2'

By Siva Govindasamy

India plans to begin work on an upgraded version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, with industry aiming to start deliveries of these "Mark II" aircraft after the first 40 have been manufactured.

"The LCA Mark 2 will have a bigger and more powerful engine, the fuselage will be changed, it will have bigger wings, and the aircraft will be more aerodynamic," says Hindustan Aeronautics chairman Ashok Baweja, whose company manufactures the fighter. "There are upgrades down the line in every global fighter programme and that is the case with the Tejas as well."

He adds that HAL will deliver 40 LCAs to the Indian Air Force in the Mark I configuration - 20 in the fighter configuration and 20 in the trainer configuration . The IAF is expected to eventually order up to 220 LCAs and the Indian navy another 20, and the remaining aircraft will be in the Mark II configuration.

A naval version of the LCA will fly within a year, although this version of the aircraft still faces numerous challenges, says Baweja.

The Tejas, which was developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, has been in the works for more than a decade. It has faced several delays due to problems with the aircraft's design and the development of an indigenous engine. The IAF refused to commit to the LCA until 2003, and has only ordered 20 due to worries about the aircraft's capabilities. Over 1,000 test flights have now been completed on the six prototypes, and the ADA has decided to buy an international engine, most likely the General Electric GE-F414, to power the fighter.

 

[nitesh]

The Statesman

Heavy weapon testing

The indigenously made light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas which is likely to be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) by next year or early 2011 would be carrying out heavy weapon testing immediately after the ongoing 7th edition of AeroIndia show here .
“We would be carrying out heavy weapon testing immediately after this AeroIndia show and we would be carrying 1000 lb bombs,” Group Captain N Tiwari who has been flying these aircraft at the National Flight Testing Centre (NFTC) told The Statesman.
The successful display of the LCA at the air show encouraged the defence minister, Mr AK Antony, and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major, to be confident that the fighter aircraft would be inducted into the IAF at a time when it is planning to purchase 126 combat aircraft for which trials are to begin by April.
“We had started weapon testing two years back and we have just started air to ground tests,” said Group Captain Tiwari who is at the airshow with his team which had tested the Tejas fighter in both hot and cold weather conditions.
The hot weather trials were held at the Air Force Station (AFS) at Nagpur last year while the sea level trials were conducted at INS Rajali, Arakkonam and Close Combat Missile (CCM) firing at INS Hansa, Goa.
On the test flight of the Tejas at Leh which he had undertaken, Group Captain Tiwari said, “There was no major problem and everything looked better than planned. We were very worried whether the aircraft would start at the high altitude but there was no problem. We left it overnight in Leh and everything was fine though the temperature was between -14 degrees Celsius and -16 degrees Celsius and the altitude was 10,300 feet. It took us two days for acclimatisation and only on the third day could be carry out the test flight.”
Elaborating on the testing, he said, “All our performance targets were met easily. It was more an evaluation of the systems ~ that was the basic intent of the exercise.”
On the aircraft’s ability to cope with hot weather conditions, he said “there too we had no problems. Despite the heat with the temperature touching nearly 45 degrees Celsius, the cockpit remained cool.”
On night flying, he said the aircraft has completed the first phase which was done here and the final phase would be undertaken soon.

 

[LCA]

yeah ..... ,it had been said that MMR integration with LCA is done by March.

so,this time definitely firing weapons with radar.

 

[zeus]

Here come MCA aka NGFA Wind tunnel Models

 

[indiatech]

looks just gr8
does anyone know when will it fly ?

well, given to Tatas it might be on air in 5 years. Given to DRDO , can't say.

 

[indiatech]

India to develop medium combat aircraft with stealth features

Bangalore, Feb 13: After the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plans to develop a medium combat aircraft (MCA) with "stealth features" and an unmanned combat aircraft vehicle (UCAV).

The Aeronautics Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO, which developed the LCA with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, will develop the MCA with the Indian Air Force.

"We feel confident that after the LCA it will be the MCA and followed by the UCAV," M. Natarajan, DRDO chief and scientific adviser to the defence minister, told reporters at the 7th edition of the international air show Aero India-2009 in Yelahanka, on the outskirts of this city.

The twin engine MCA will weigh 19-20 tonnes.

"It is possible to have an MCA with a twin engine, with less weight and improved electronics. It will also have an inbuilt weapon load for stealth reasons. It is doable and it is a challenge," said Natarajan.

The DRDO is also planning a twin-seater trainer variant of the LCA, which for the first time performed manoeuvres at the air show.

"We will have an air force LCA, naval LCA and LCA twin seater trainer. Five to 10 years down the line, the role of the (LCA) trainers will be superior to the hawks (advanced jet trainers acquired from Britain)," Natarajan added.

The IAF has placed an order for 20 Tejas lightweight multi-role planes, India's second indigenous fighter aircraft, and may increase the number to 40.

India to develop medium combat aircraft with stealth features

 

[nitesh]

well, given to Tatas it might be on air in 5 years. Given to DRDO , can't say.

What a gr8st piece of garbage this is? Can you just tell me how. And if you can't prove apologize for this shi$$y comment.

 

[zeus]

well, given to Tatas it might be on air in 5 years. Given to DRDO , can't say.

How many TATA build aircrafts are in the air any way ?? they are still learning to build UAV's

 

[nitesh]

Deccan Herald - LCA naval version to fly this year

LCA naval version to fly this year
By Kalyan Ray, DH News Service, Bangalore:

The first prototype of the naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is expected to fly towards the end of 2009.


Within a few months of the first flight, a second prototype of the naval LCA will also take to the skies, P S Subramanyam, director of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bangalore, which is developing the fighter, told Deccan Herald here.

The first version of the naval LCA will be a twin-seater trainer version, whereas the second naval LCA will be a fighter. Both are mark-I versions with limited capabilities and additional weight.

A mark-II variation of the naval LCA is also under development and scheduled to be realised by 2014-15, Subramanyam said.

The naval LCA, meant for future aircraft carriers, will have arrester-hooks using which a fighter plan can land on the dock, and immediately come to a complete halt. The existing Indian aircraft carrier INS Virat does not use this technology. instead it uses traditional ramps for take-off and landing.

But future carriers, including INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) and the indigenous aircraft carrier, will have arrester-hook. While the former will have MiG-29K as the on-board fighters, the choice is wide open for the indigenous carrier.

Interestingly, even before the first flight of the naval LCA, the navy has agreed to invest 30 per cent of the development cost for the LCA mark-II naval version, he said.

Test facility

For testing the LCA naval mark-II version, ADA is developing a three km long shore-based test facility in Goa which will take another three years to complete.

Once INS Vikramaditya is inducted in the navy, naval LCA will also have to undergo a carrier compatibility test on-board. Intensive testings are required to improved the mark-II version. Developmental work for the naval LCA was sanctioned in 2002, and nearly Rs 1000 crore sanctioned, in 2003-04. The naval version will have the same weapon package as the air force version.

The mark-II version of LCA for the Indian Air Force, Subramanyam said, is also under development as IAF would eventually require five squadrons of the upgraded plane with a more powerful engine, better aerodynamics and advanced avionics.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will develop eight early technology demonstrators, 12 trainers and 20 fighters of LCA mark-I before producing 40 mark-II LCA, HAL chairman and managing director Ashok Baweja said on Thursday.
All mark-I planes which impressed everybody - including defence minister A K Antony - with their manoeuvres in the air show, are expected to be inducted by 2014. HAL is setting up two assembly lines for manufacturing LCA from 2011 at a rate of eight aircraft every year, Subramanyam informed.

 

[duhastmish]

DRDO is too slow.

actually that might be under statement but i doubt if MCA will ever fly if all the control is given to DRDO. They are failure themselves, non professional unit because of their bosses. I hope some day media will take a look at them and show how pathetic they are compared to other smiler world organization. with so much man power and brilliant brain behind. The big boss of DRDO are sucking the blood out of Indian defense. And tax payers like me our money is going in their pocket!!!!! with no result to yield out of it.