ADA Tejas (LCA) News and Discussions

[nitesh]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/157120/tejas-sensors-checked-during-night.html

The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft- Tejas, fitted with advanced sensors like Multi Mode Radar (MMR) Litening Pod (Day and Night imaging sensors), was checked out during night flying, Defence Research and Development Organisation said today.

These sensors when integrated with the on board weapon system, makes it a potent multi-role combat aircraft, a DRDO statement said. The first phase of the night evaluation in which six night flight sorties were conducted was held yesterday, it said.

"The preliminary results indicate that the integrated system performed very well, meeting the requirements of night operations. Flight trials were conducted by the National Flight Test Centre at ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency)", the statement said.
In addition, the avionics suit includes the state of the art Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) and Instrument Landing System (ILS), it said. To prove Tejas's night operational capability, all these systems needed to be tested and evaluated following a detailed flight test programme during night flying in moon phase as well as dark phase, it said.

LSP-5 aircraft, which has the required cockpit lighting standard to support night flying, was used for these trials, the statement added. The night flying was started after a series of ground evaluations of the integrated system in static as well as taxi phase under different lighting conditions, it said.

With the conclusion of the first phase of night evaluations, the mood is upbeat in 'Team Tejas'. Success of the current phase of trials augurs well for achieving night attack capability for Tejas in the near future, it said.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Tejas Goes Night Hunting​

The LCA Tejas programme clocked significant trial points this week with one of the limited series production (LSP-5) aircraft undertook a series of six flights at night. Sporting a modified Israeli-Indian hybrid multimode radar and a Litening pod, the LSP-5 is reported to have conducted mock targeting and attack drill to test simulated avionics release and integration of weapons and sensors. Night flights will continue for the next two weeks.

The DRDO put out a statement to the press in Bengaluru yesterday saying, "The preliminary results indicate that the integrated system performed very well, meeting the requirements of night operations." The statement also said that the flights tested the helmet mounted display and instrument landing system.

 

[adyonfire4]

Guys Tell me one thing what is the Thrust generated by GE404 IN20 and GE414 IN56?Please.

 

[Tolaha]

Guys Tell me one thing what is the Thrust generated by GE404 IN20 and GE414 IN56?Please.

Google tells me:

GE 404 IN20

Based on the F404-GE-402, the F404-GE-IN20 is the highest rated F404 model and includes a higher-flow fan, increased thrust, a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system, single-crystal turbine blades and a variety of single-engine features. The F404-IN-20 engine has generated more than 19,000 pounds (85 kN) uninstalled thrust.



F414-GE-INS6

India's Aeronautical Development Agency selected the F414-GE-INS6 engine to power the Mk II version of the HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force. The F414-GE-INS6 is a six stage turbofan and will be the highest thrust F414 variant at 120Kn , it also includes a modern Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) provided by GE, The new engine is to be delivered by 2013 and it weighs around 1000Kg to provide a Thrust to Weight ratio of 12:1

 

[p2prada]

Guys Tell me one thing what is the Thrust generated by GE404 IN20 and GE414 IN56?Please.

GE F-404 provides 88 KN of Combat Thrust.

Ge F414 theoretically provides 120KN in the EPE version. But we are not sure which engine is available to us. So, expect F414 to provide at least 98 KN of thrust if not more.

 

[nitesh]

some photos

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-photos-lca-tejas-kh-2015-night.html

 

[nitesh]

derby missile for LCA

Rafael Derby Air-to-Air Missiles for Indian Air Force HAL Tejas Fighter Jets | India Defence

2011-05-09 Leading defense and aerospace publication FlightGlobal has quoted industry sources confirming the integration of Rafael Derby Air to Air Missiles with India's indigenous HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Delivery of the missiles is to begin in 2012.

 

[RPK]

Coming soon, LCA's naval variant - www.daily.bhaskar.com

Coming soon, LCA's naval variant


Bangalore: The maiden flight of the naval variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will take to the skies in July, exactly a year after it rolled out from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL's) Aircraft Research and Design Centre hangar in Bangalore.

"We would be conducting the first flight of the LCA Naval Prototype-1 (NP1) – a trainer aircraft -- in July. The aircraft is currently undergoing a series of ground tests, and preparations are on for the flight certification which is mandatory before the first flight," said Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief controller R&D (Aeronautics and Service Interaction), Prahlada.

He said all agencies involved in the programme, like the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), HAL and the certifying agencies including Center for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) and Director General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), are extremely cautious about ensuring that the first flight is carried out without any hassles.

"Being the first flight of the LCA naval programme we are extremely careful. We want to ensure that everything is put in place before the first flight and that the programme is as successful as the Indian Air Force (IAF) version which has had no accidents since it started flight tests on January 4, 2001," he said.

The LCA's IAF version has an impeccable record of completing over 1,600 flights without any incidents. The LCA NP-1 is different from its IAF counterpart. It has a new, stronger and longer landing gear, an arrester hook for ship deck landing, front fuselage droop for better over-the-nose vision to facilitate landing on aircraft carriers, an additional control surface to reduce carrier landing speed and consequential changes in various systems.

The LCA NP1 will fly with a GE-F404-IN20 engine and is specifically designed for ski jump take off and arrested landing, with high landing loads compared to its IAF counterpart.

The Navy has placed an order for six LCA Navy aircraft and is expected to replace the depleting Sea Harrier squadron. The LCA Naval variants will operate alongside the MiG-29Ks by 2014.

 

[nitesh]

Now this is good news, but this extremely cautious approach is also adding to the delay. But with this approach if they are able to maintain the good track record IAF LCA. It would be really great.

 

[Patriot]

Now this is good news, but this extremely cautious approach is also adding to the delay. But with this approach if they are able to maintain the good track record IAF LCA. It would be really great.

A single accident can cause more delay compare to no accident. In addition, a single accident can bring down the morale of scientists' team as well as the confidence of Indian Navy, as IN already running on tight budget. As IAC is going to take some time to hit waters therefore some delay will not affect us.

This is very good news & it will be the base block for the N-LCA-II.

 

[adyonfire4]

http://nal-ir.nal.res.in/8836/ I finally got this important document containing Performance Boosting FTP information about LCA Tejas.

 

[SuperCommandoDhruv]

A single accident can cause more delay compare to no accident. In addition, a single accident can bring down the morale of scientists' team as well as the confidence of Indian Navy, as IN already running on tight budget.

There is always budget for over-expensive imports but no paisa for making extra NLCA for break-testing.

 

[Patriot]

There is always budget for over-expensive imports but no paisa for making extra NLCA for break-testing.

All expenditures are normally budgeted programme wise and priority basis.

With what source info you are talking about break testing????????

 

[SuperCommandoDhruv]

All expenditures are normally budgeted programme wise and priority basis.

With what source info you are talking about break testing????????

Did you forget what they did to Arjun MBT?

If NLCA crashed during tests, Govt. will cancel NLCA programme. This is how R&D is supported in India.

 

[lambu]

Tejas LCA Enters Key Test Phase

By Asia-Pacific Staff
New Delhi

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft has certainly tested the patience of the Indian air force and the Indian defense establishment, but the coming weeks may finally yield important breakthroughs to fielding the indigenously developed aircraft.

Next month, Tejas is due to undergo a second phase of night trials and, if the systems perform as advertised, it will be cleared for night attack, a crucial requirement to achieve full operational clearance (FOC) as a day/night, all-weather platform by December 2012.

The Tejas recently began its first phase of night attack trials. The fifth limited-series-production aircraft (LSP"‘5), in the final Mk.1 configuration that includes a night-vision-capable cockpit, was used in six night flights in which test pilots conducted mock targeting and attack drills to test simulated avionics and integration of weapons and sensors. The aircraft's modified ELTA Systems multimode radar and Rafael Litening pod were both tested during the flights.

Following the first six tests last month, India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said, "The preliminary results indicate that the integrated system performed very well, meeting the requirements of night operations. The flights also tested the helmet-mounted display system [Elta DASH] and instrument landing system."

With the Indian air force set on establishing its first Tejas squadron in 2013, the next 16 months are crucial for the project test team. There are several flight-envelope expansion tasks still unfinished, including assessing angle of attack, g-forces and sustained turn rate. The next limited-series-production aircraft, LSP-6, is expected to be dedicated to resolving those issues quickly.

The air force is putting pressure on developments. Before Tejas reached initial operational clearance (IOC), the service waived some requirements, but it is firm it will not do so again for FOC, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik made clear during a Tejas ceremony in January when IOC was attained. "We've waited a long time for the Tejas. We don't want a partial platform. We want everything fully operational," he said.

The absence of certain capabilities that the Tejas team promised but could not deliver for IOC in January 2011 did not please the service, which was finally forced to extract assurances that the untested capabilities will be completed by next month. These include wake penetration tests as well as all-weather, day/night and lightning clearances. Several test points in weapons delivery in different configurations remain on the team's must-do list and will continue through into next year. So far, the Tejas has only conducted live drops of gravity bombs and Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missiles. Strike profiles are being tested at the DRDO's new bombing range outside Bengaluru.

In the next few months, Tejas platforms will fire air-to-ground munitions such as cluster weapons, laser-guided bombs and S-8 rocket pods against still and moving targets. Rafael's Derby beyond-visual-range missile is expected to be a standard on the Tejas, with trials scheduled a year from now. Reports suggest a contract could be signed shortly. In its final Mk.1 configuration, the air force also expects the Tejas to be fully capable of deploying Kh-59-series stand-off strike weapons and Kh-35/31 antiship missiles.

The next big item on the program time line is the first flight of the LCA navy variant, expected in the next two months. Its progress has been delayed by issues with weight, landing gear and sink-rate parameters.

Meanwhile, India's troubled and hugely delayed Kaveri turbofan engine development effort—once linked to the Tejas program—has made some progress in flight trials. Between November 2010 and April this year, the engine has powered an Iluyshin Il-76 flying testbed on 11 flights outside Moscow. The Kaveri, delinked from the Tejas program several years ago because of persistent failures to meet requirements, is being completed in cooperation with Snecma (and its M88 ECO core) for India's fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and, in a modified form, the country's concept stealth unmanned combat aircraft known as AURA.

Tejas LCA Enters Key Test Phase | AVIATION WEEK

 

[Patriot]

Did you forget what they did to Arjun MBT?

If NLCA crashed during tests, Govt. will cancel NLCA programme. This is how R&D is supported in India.

Who told you that Govt. will cancel the programme. Just discuss & understand the issues in perspective rather following the same critical rant on each and every thing. We know things are not perfect.

We are not suppose to be so judgmental on everything like news articles , as most of time we hardly come to know about the POVs of the interested parties. Need to see both the sides of the COIN.

 

[bhramos]

Tejas LCA Enters Key Test Phase

By Asia-Pacific Staff
New Delhi

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft has certainly tested the patience of the Indian air force and the Indian defense establishment, but the coming weeks may finally yield important breakthroughs to fielding the indigenously developed aircraft.

Next month, Tejas is due to undergo a second phase of night trials and, if the systems perform as advertised, it will be cleared for night attack, a crucial requirement to achieve full operational clearance (FOC) as a day/night, all-weather platform by December 2012.

The Tejas recently began its first phase of night attack trials. The fifth limited-series-production aircraft (LSP"‘5), in the final Mk.1 configuration that includes a night-vision-capable cockpit, was used in six night flights in which test pilots conducted mock targeting and attack drills to test simulated avionics and integration of weapons and sensors. The aircraft's modified ELTA Systems multimode radar and Rafael Litening pod were both tested during the flights.

Following the first six tests last month, India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said, "The preliminary results indicate that the integrated system performed very well, meeting the requirements of night operations. The flights also tested the helmet-mounted display system [Elta DASH] and instrument landing system."

With the Indian air force set on establishing its first Tejas squadron in 2013, the next 16 months are crucial for the project test team. There are several flight-envelope expansion tasks still unfinished, including assessing angle of attack, g-forces and sustained turn rate. The next limited-series-production aircraft, LSP-6, is expected to be dedicated to resolving those issues quickly.

The air force is putting pressure on developments. Before Tejas reached initial operational clearance (IOC), the service waived some requirements, but it is firm it will not do so again for FOC, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik made clear during a Tejas ceremony in January when IOC was attained. "We've waited a long time for the Tejas. We don't want a partial platform. We want everything fully operational," he said.

The absence of certain capabilities that the Tejas team promised but could not deliver for IOC in January 2011 did not please the service, which was finally forced to extract assurances that the untested capabilities will be completed by next month. These include wake penetration tests as well as all-weather, day/night and lightning clearances. Several test points in weapons delivery in different configurations remain on the team's must-do list and will continue through into next year. So far, the Tejas has only conducted live drops of gravity bombs and Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missiles. Strike profiles are being tested at the DRDO's new bombing range outside Bengaluru.

In the next few months, Tejas platforms will fire air-to-ground munitions such as cluster weapons, laser-guided bombs and S-8 rocket pods against still and moving targets. Rafael's Derby beyond-visual-range missile is expected to be a standard on the Tejas, with trials scheduled a year from now. Reports suggest a contract could be signed shortly. In its final Mk.1 configuration, the air force also expects the Tejas to be fully capable of deploying Kh-59-series stand-off strike weapons and Kh-35/31 antiship missiles.

The next big item on the program time line is the first flight of the LCA navy variant, expected in the next two months. Its progress has been delayed by issues with weight, landing gear and sink-rate parameters.

Meanwhile, India's troubled and hugely delayed Kaveri turbofan engine development effort—once linked to the Tejas program—has made some progress in flight trials. Between November 2010 and April this year, the engine has powered an Iluyshin Il-76 flying testbed on 11 flights outside Moscow. The Kaveri, delinked from the Tejas program several years ago because of persistent failures to meet requirements, is being completed in cooperation with Snecma (and its M88 ECO core) for India's fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and, in a modified form, the country's concept stealth unmanned combat aircraft known as AURA.

Tejas LCA Enters Key Test Phase | AVIATION WEEK

good, when will it enter to full production line????

 

[p2prada]

Did you forget what they did to Arjun MBT?

If NLCA crashed during tests, Govt. will cancel NLCA programme. This is how R&D is supported in India.

If the aircraft crashes due to major structural deficiencies like our first AEW project then it will be cancelled. Glitches and human error does not justify cancelling the program. Tejas has already undergone 1500 flight tests, so aerodynamics won't be a reason for cancellation.

 

[SuperCommandoDhruv]

If the aircraft crashes due to major structural deficiencies like our first AEW project then it will be cancelled. Glitches and human error does not justify cancelling the program. Tejas has already undergone 1500 flight tests, so aerodynamics won't be a reason for cancellation.

There were no structural deficiencies in AEW RADAR payload. Problem was with the aircraft. And guess what, they cancelled AEW project.

And, I don't agree with your suggestion that NLCA should be cancelled if it crashes due to structural problems. Why cancel it dude? Why not fix the bugs and get next bird in air ASAP?

This is like saying, NASA should have closed shuttle program because shuttle exploded on launchpad and killed 7 american astronauts.

Why we are so weak and always looking to shiver in dhotis?

 

[SuperCommandoDhruv]

If the aircraft crashes due to major structural deficiencies like our first AEW project then it will be cancelled. Glitches and human error does not justify cancelling the program. Tejas has already undergone 1500 flight tests, so aerodynamics won't be a reason for cancellation.

There were no structural deficiencies in AEW RADAR payload. Problem was with the aircraft. And guess what, they cancelled AEW project, instead of getting it onto other aircraft.

And, I don't agree with your suggestion that NLCA should be cancelled if it crashes due to structural problems. Why cancel it dude? Why not fix the bugs and get next bird in air ASAP?

why we give up so fast? we don't need to be so weak.