ADA Tejas (LCA) News and Discussions

[dineshchaturvedi]

LCA's wing is mounted high on fuselage compared to mid fuselage mounted Gripen, main wing of LCA is larger than Gripen and LCA lengths 1m smaller than Gripen, each thing in combination and in isolation affects drag phenomenon, hence affecting acceleration and speed...

Rahul how does this impact LCA does this means it will be at disadvantages? If yes how much? Are we planning to address this? I hope yes.

 

[neo29]

Eurojet offers EJ200 engines for both Air Force and Naval Variant of Tejas

Eager to join hands with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its associates in the development of India's Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas-Mark II,' the Eurojet consortium is offering its engine that could be tweaked to work on its naval version.

"We are offering two variants of the EJ200, bidding for the India's LCA Mark-II which can be altered through a software change to suit the requirements for the naval version of the LCA," Eurojet Vice-President Sales Paul Hermann told a group of journalists here.

The Aeronautical Defence Agency (ADA), the nodal agency for the design and development of the LCA under the overall supervision of the DRDO, had sought a proposal from the EJ200 and the American GE414 engine. The order will be initially for 99 engines with 10 of these in ready-to-use condition. There is an option for additional 49 engines order.

Eurojet Chief Engineer Wolfgang Sterr said there were over 1,500 EJ200 engines for the 700-plus Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft under contract to six nations. He said the engine was suitable for the LCA and could be used for the naval variant that the ADA was working on.

The Eurofighter is in the race for the 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft that the IAF is acquiring.

The naval version requirement of greater thrust for take-off from an aircraft carrier can be met without altering the hardware of the engine. With a switch of software the EJ200 can be used for the naval variant and vice-versa.

While the company preferred not to make any direct comment on the price tag, EJ Sales Director Adrian Johnson, said it would be competitive in many aspects through low life cycle costs, transfer of technology and offering partnership to India for future development and enhancement of the engine and its systems.

The officials said, "If the Eurojet makes the grade, the organisation could also share its expertise in India's quest to develop indigenous Kaveri engine. We have experienced the challenge India is facing, At Rolls-Royce, it took us 100 years to get where we are"¦,"Mr. Johnson said.

The Eurojet consortium includes Rolls-Royce (England), MTU (German), ITP (Spain) and Avio (Italy).


http://idrw.org/?p=1992#more-1992

 

[nitesh]

hmm this is interesting:

http://idrw.org/?p=1990
Tejas LSP-2 and LSP-3 complete second phase of hot weather trials in Nagpur.

During the test flights, data, video and audio from the test aircraft were transmitted in real time through the fibre optic connectivity provided by the Air Force AFNET to NFTC Bangalore, for closer monitoring and detailed analysis.

This facility has proven to be very effective in optimising overall flight test effort, while enhancing flight test safety, it said.

The trial team was able to achieve all the objectives during the week long hectic trials.

 

[dearamit]

Light combat aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' which is scheduled to attain Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by this year-end has undergone the second phase of hot weather trials in the past one week at the AirForce station in Nagpur.
The first phase of hot weather trails were conducted at the same venue in May-Jun 2008. On both occasions, the trials were very well supported by Air Force Station Nagpur.
The objective of the current phase of hot weather trials is to prove that the aircraft is in IOC configuration with the weapon system and sensors integrated.
During the trials, the two Tejas aircraft have undertaken trial sorties especially to check out the aircraft systems such as Digital Flight Control Computer, Avionics Systems, Multi Mode Radar, RWR and the Electrical and Environment Control Systems under extremely high ambient temperature conditions up to 45 degree Celsius.
The trial team consisted of IAF flight test crew from the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC) and Scientists/Engineers from Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore, ADE, NAL, CEMILAC and DGAQA, defence release said.
During the test flights, data, video and audio from the test aircraft were transmitted in real time through the fibre optic connectivity provided by the Air Force AFNET to NFTC Bangalore, for closer monitoring and detailed analysis.
This facility has proven to be very effective in optimising overall flight test effort, while enhancing flight test safety, it said.
The trial team was able to achieve all the objectives during the week long hectic trials.
The LCA is progressing steadily towards achieving IOC by end of December 2010 and subsequent entry into service under the able guidance of P S Subramanyam Director, ADA and the optimal flight test planning under the leadership of Air Commodore Rohit Varma VM, Project Director (Flight Test) of NFTC, the release from defence PRO in Nagpur added.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Rahul how does this impact LCA does this means it will be at disadvantages? If yes how much? Are we planning to address this? I hope yes.

Disadvantage, i will not call it that but yeah Gripen was designed superbly by SAAB to excel and obviously because of lot of experience coming from 'Viggen' program which ADA didn't had.

Yes there are plans to decrees drag in MK-2 version but it will be done without going drastic with design of air frame. You can expect better performance in MK-2 because of high powered engine and minor airframe alteration and these are sure to affect acceleration, speed, STR, Takeoff/landing distance and may even combat payload positively.

---------------
While comparing Gripen with LCA we should always remember that both aircraft was designed for different airforce which have almost different doctrine. On one side Gripen is supposed to be a L-MRCA or LM-MRCA with short-take off and landing performance and this very fighter was and is expected to do all duties for Swedish air force. On other side LCA is not expected to be relatively capable of short take-off and landing as well as it was not expected to be a standalone fighter rather it was and is expected to complement or supplement other jets in IAF inventory depending on mission type and requirement.

I have written this addition para only to say that LCA is a capable fighter and matches Gripen in performence but it doesn't excels Gripen and allow me to add one more line that LCA is not required to do that. LCA is well built for the purpose and this matters most...

 

[Rahul Singh]

During the test flights, data, video and audio from the test aircraft were transmitted in real time through the fibre optic connectivity provided by the Air Force AFNET to NFTC Bangalore, for closer monitoring and detailed analysis
http://idrw.org/?p=1990

May be insane of me but let me dare ask, does this refers to network centric capability?

Eurojet offers EJ200 engines for both Air Force and Naval Variant of Tejas

What hell EJ was thinking before? ADA had already specified that offered engine should be suitable for both variants.....

 

[nitesh]

To an extent yes rhaul, my interpretation of the sentence is that we can clearly see the data getting shared from planes (data link ) transferring to Nagpur and then going to Bangalore ideally it should be using the satellites to transfer all data to any corner but still steps towards network centric operational capability

 

[Yatharth Singh]

Eurojet Consortium Offers EJ200 Engine for LCA Tejas-Mark II and N-LCA


K. V. PRASAD

Eager to join hands with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its associates in the development of India's Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas-Mark II,' the Eurojet consortium is offering its engine that could be tweaked to work on its naval version.

"We are offering two variants of the EJ200, bidding for the India's LCA Mark-II which can be altered through a software change to suit the requirements for the naval version of the LCA," Eurojet Vice-President Sales Paul Hermann told a group of journalists here.

The Aeronautical Defence Agency (ADA), the nodal agency for the design and development of the LCA under the overall supervision of the DRDO, had sought a proposal from the EJ200 and the American GE414 engine. The order will be initially for 99 engines with 10 of these in ready-to-use condition. There is an option for additional 49 engines order.

Eurojet Chief Engineer Wolfgang Sterr said there were over 1,500 EJ200 engines for the 700-plus Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft under contract to six nations. He said the engine was suitable for the LCA and could be used for the naval variant that the ADA was working on.

The Eurofighter is in the race for the 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft that the IAF is acquiring.

The naval version requirement of greater thrust for take-off from an aircraft carrier can be met without altering the hardware of the engine. With a switch of software the EJ200 can be used for the naval variant and vice-versa.

While the company preferred not to make any direct comment on the price tag, EJ Sales Director Adrian Johnson, said it would be competitive in many aspects through low life cycle costs, transfer of technology and offering partnership to India for future development and enhancement of the engine and its systems.

The officials said, "If the Eurojet makes the grade, the organisation could also share its expertise in India's quest to develop indigenous Kaveri engine. We have experienced the challenge India is facing, At Rolls-Royce, it took us 100 years to get where we are"¦,"Mr. Johnson said.

The Eurojet consortium includes Rolls-Royce (England), MTU (German), ITP (Spain) and Avio (Italy).

 

[sathya]

Supersonic fighter is on its way
BY: The Indian Express Limited.

India's fighter strength has been declining in the recent years, as the MiG-21s that comprises the bulk of its fleet are lost in crashes, or retired due to age and wear. While the buzz might be around the multi-billion dollar medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal for the purchase of 126 fighter planes for which American, Russian, French, Swedish and European fighter makers are hot in the race, but that still leaves replacement of the MiG-21 fleet.

In such a scenario, the news that Tejas, India's second indigenous jet fighter design, after the HF-24 Marut of the 1950s, successfully undertook its maiden test flight this month, has brought cheers to the country's defence establishment. With this successful flight, the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) programme is close to the initial operations clearance, which is expected to be completed by December this year, according to Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). The remaining effort will mostly revolve around flight testing and demonstration of sensors and weapon performance. In a nutshell: After long delays, Tejas is scheduled for induction into Indian Air Force (IAF) service in December, 2010.

Tejas is being built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy. The LCA was designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bangalore. The IAF has a requirement of 140 single-seat fighters and 20 two-seat LCA trainers for squadron service in the next 10 years. It has ordered 20 LCAs, which are scheduled to be delivered by 2013. Development is underway for the naval version of the LCA, which can be operated from an aircraft carrier. Two naval prototypes will be manufactured and flown to obtain clearance for deck operations.

Tracing its history, the LCA project was sanctioned in 1982 with a budget of Rs 560 crore to develop a F-16 class fighter aircraft to replace MiG-21 fighters in the IAF. Analysts inform that close to Rs 6,000 crore has been spent in the country's efforts to upgrade its national defence capabilities through home-made production of fighter planes.

Tejas is claimed to be the world's smallest, light weight, multi-role combat aircraft designed to meet the requirements of Indian Air Force as its frontline multi-mission single-seat tactical aircraft to replace the MiG-21 series of aircraft. The

Tejas design has been configured to match the demands of modern combat scenario such as speed, acceleration, maneuverability and agility. The LCA integrates modern design concepts like"¦

static instability, digital fly-by-wire flight control system, integrated avionics, glass cockpit, primary composite structure, multi-mode radar, microprocessor based utility and brake management systems.

Senior scientists from Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) have been involved in the development and flight test planning of the newly integrated flight control software which was used by the test aircraft.

According to PS Subramanyam, programme director, ADA, the Tejas team is now heading to central India to carry out hot weather trials.

Designed as a single-engine tactical fighter, Tejas has a compound delta-wing platform to achieve weight reductions. The wing design, combined with a blended-wing body, delivers high performance. The design allows the aircraft to be integrated with guided air-to-surface and anti-ship weapons for multi-role and multi-mission capabilities. The fuselage is a thin walled and integrally stiffened structure, designed to sustain internal pressure without stiffener debonding. It features complex shapes and contours using integral structures in large scale.

The glass cockpit is equipped with a head-up display (HUD) and two multifunction displays (MFDs) that provide the required information to the pilot.

The HUD displays critical information required in close combat situations. The modern avionics systems and an effective pilot-vehicle interface are installed in the cockpit. The hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) concept ensures the availability of all flight controls during adverse conditions.

Among others, Tejas features an integrated digital avionics suite, configured around the MIL-STD-1553B bus system. The 32-bit mission computer (MC) can perform mission-oriented computations, flight management, reconfiguration/redundancy management and in-flight system self tests.

On the weapons side, Tejas is claimed to be a precision weapon launch platform with seven hardpoints to carry a range of air-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, unguided rockets and conventional/retarded bombs. The air-to-air missiles include Astra BVRAAM, Vympel R-77 and R-73. The air-to-surface missiles are Kh-59ME TV guided stand-off missile and Kh-59MK laser-guided stand-off missile.

A 23mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon is also mounted on the fighter aircraft.

The advanced multimode radar (MMR) track-while-scan feature allows the tracking and engaging of multiple targets simultaneously. It also provides ground mapping and look-down shoot-down capabilities. The sensor suite provides threat detection, and a low visual signature that helps the aircraft to perform better in close air combat environments. The LCA can also be fitted with additional sensors for guidance, navigation and reconnaissance purposes.

Most importantly, Tejas is powered by a General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine. The engine is rated to"¦supply 53.9kN dry thrust and 85kN thrust with afterburn. Fuel tanks are integrated into the fuselage and wings, and auxiliary fuel tanks of 800lt and 1,200lt can be fitted under fuselage to extend the range. An in-flight refuelling probe is also fitted to the starboard side to further extend Tejas's range and endurance. India's efforts to become self-reliant by taking up home production of Tejas aircraft were marred by hitches in the development phase. Through the use of modern design techniques, the indigenous effort might take to the skies soon.

 

[JayChennai]

Suddenly LCA becomes a top class fighter aircraft

 

[nandu]

First Tejas Squadron To Be Based In Sulur

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will form the first squadron of the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas in Bangalore next year before it is moved to Sulur, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal P.K. Barbora tells AVIATION WEEK.

Sulur is located near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

The initial formation of the LCA squadron in Bangalore is primarily due to IAF's proximity to the aircraft's designer, the Aeronautical Development Agency; its manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL); and IAF's test pilots' unit, the Aircraft System Testing Establishment. In addition, the National Flight Test Center (NFTC), which is monitoring all LCA-related flying activities, is also within HAL's military airport.

"Training becomes easier in Bangalore for the IAF pilots on the new platform. In addition, any teething problems that the pilots might face while getting accustomed to Tejas can be sorted out before they move to Sulur," an NFTC source says.

Barbora says, "The LCA Mk-II will have a new engine and we are hopeful that the product will be superior. Support is the key and we are hopeful that the Defense Research Development Organization and HAL will ensure that."

IAF is willing to support indigenous programs as long as the products arrive on time, Barbora says. "We are not asking for the Moon. We are willing to wait, but give us what has been promised as per the deadline. We understand it's not easy to make an aircraft."

The IAF is currently in a transition phase, with new weapon systems and flying platforms set to be incorporated.

"In the next 10 years, IAF will change. Rapid technological changes pose a huge challenge, and even we need to change. There are no shortcuts in technology and we need to do things [the] right way," Barbora says.

Meanwhile, Tejas crossed a significant hurdle when two LCAs successfully performed in hot-weather trials (HWTs) at Nagpur last week. Sources told AVIATION WEEK that the week-long HWTs were part of Tejas' phase II schedule. The first phase was completed in 2008.

"All new systems onboard and avionics were tested with temperatures varying from 40 to 45 degrees Celsius (104 to 114 deg. F.). We had absolutely no issues with these flights, and both platforms rose to the occasion and performed as expected. We had close to 10 flights as part of the trials," a source says.

The 11th test vehicle in the Tejas flight line is expected to fly soon as the program heads toward initial operational clearance in December. Weapons trials also are on the horizon.

"All the software will have to go into the final configuration of Tejas along with the flight control system and sensors. LSP-5 will be next. From LSP-3 flight, the multi-mode radar is onboard and this is clearly an indication as to our rapid progress in the program," the source says. "We will be testing beyond-visual range missiles first and at a later stage the air-to-ground missiles which will take Tejas closer to the final operational clearance."

Confirming the successful HWTs, P.S. Subramanyam, program director for combat aircraft and director of the Aeronautics Development Agency, says that one limited series production-3 aircraft and another prototype vehicle-3 from the Tejas fleet were part of the HWTs at Nagpur.

"Both aircraft are back in Bangalore and we are happy with what we have achieved. We are analyzing the data and will now move toward our next mission," Subramanyam says.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gene...ine=First Tejas Squadron To Be Based In Sulur

 

[plugwater]

.....................................

 

[nitesh]

First Tejas Squadron To Be Based In Sulur
IAF is willing to support indigenous programs as long as the products arrive on time, Barbora says. "We are not asking for the Moon. We are willing to wait, but give us what has been promised as per the deadline. We understand it's not easy to make an aircraft."

This is precisely the problem this will be applied only to home grown product not towards imported maal. Until this attitude changes we will be dependent on imports in a big way

 

[Rahul Singh]

I second, there are plenty of examples to support this. One such story is related to Marut. IAF rejected Marut calling it not suitable for carrying nuclear bomb and asked MoD to buy Jaguar instead for the purpose. Interestingly, when Jaguars got inducted, IAF discovered(filthy deceiving word) that Jags can't take-off with nuclear bombs because there is chance that bomb may hit tarmac. Just imagine!

 

[nitesh]

I second, there are plenty of examples to support this. One such story is related to Marut. IAF rejected Marut calling it not suitable for carrying nuclear bomb and asked MoD to buy Jaguar instead for the purpose. Interestingly, when Jaguars got inducted, IAF discovered(filthy deceiving word) that Jags can't take-off with nuclear bombs because there is chance that bomb may hit tarmac. Just imagine!

Well the problem was much bigger then this: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/S.../A+Jaguar+without+teeth+(May+1-15,+1980).html

The point here is Mr. barbora has to be little bit more careful with his statements.

 

[pavanvenkatesh]

This is precisely the problem this will be applied only to home grown product not towards imported maal. Until this attitude changes we will be dependent on imports in a big way

I don't mean to sound negetive to ADA or LCA (I appretiate and understand there acheivements immensly) but i don't see any negetive attitude in Mr.Barbora's statement that sounded like a just and simple observation

 

[nitesh]

I don't mean to sound negetive to ADA or LCA (I appretiate and understand there acheivements immensly) but i don't see any negetive attitude in Mr.Barbora's statement that sounded like a just and simple observation

No mate he represents IAF and was giving a press statement this is like taking pot shot on others. If you read his statement he clearly says that he understands that making a plane is not easy especially when we have less R&D base then it is possible to have slippages but does the same yardstick is applied to import items? The answer is NO. Hence this statement is totally unwarrented

 

[ppgj]

I second, there are plenty of examples to support this. One such story is related to Marut. IAF rejected Marut calling it not suitable for carrying nuclear bomb and asked MoD to buy Jaguar instead for the purpose. Interestingly, when Jaguars got inducted, IAF discovered(filthy deceiving word) that Jags can't take-off with nuclear bombs because there is chance that bomb may hit tarmac. Just imagine!

rahul,

besides a delay in induction of jaguars (which, none complains) there is a story of the Darin Upgrade. IAF did not have a clue to what they wanted!! here is the story by the man himself - a must read.

http://tkstales.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/the-darin-story/

same is the case with LCA. IAF never showed any interest in the initial years. the initial ASR was for a lesser payload and hence ADA went with F-404. later it was changed and hence F-404IN20. now again the thrust is less because various systems they want and hence a hunt for a new engine!! still ADA/DRDO have managed the LCA in a comparable time like any!! but well this is INDIA....

delays have occured wrt many other fighter induction too. no complaints!!!

good atleast IAF is showing interest now. hopefully things will change for the better.

 

[Anshu Attri]

http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2010/06/aviation-week-tejas-squadron-to-be.html

AVIATION WEEK: Tejas squadron to be rasied in Bangalore before moving to Sulur; LSP-3 & PV-3 back after successful hot-weather trials

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will form the first squadron of the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas in Bangalore next year before it is moved to Sulur, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal P.K. Barbora tells AVIATION WEEK. (Sulur is located near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.) The initial formation of the LCA squadron in Bangalore is primarily due to IAF's proximity to the aircraft's designer, the Aeronautical Development Agency; its manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL); and IAF's test pilots' unit, the Aircraft System Testing Establishment. In addition, the National Flight Test Center (NFTC), which is monitoring all LCA-related flying activities, is also within HAL's military airport. "Training becomes easier in Bangalore for the IAF pilots on the new platform. In addition, any teething problems that the pilots might face while getting accustomed to Tejas can be sorted out before they move to Sulur," an NFTC source says.
Phase-II hot-weather trials over: Meanwhile, Tejas crossed a significant hurdle when two LCAs successfully performed in hot-weather trials (HWTs) at Nagpur last week. Sources told AVIATION WEEK that the week-long HWTs were part of Tejas' phase II schedule. The first phase was completed in 2008. "All new systems onboard and avionics were tested with temperatures varying from 40 to 45 degrees Celsius (104 to 114 deg. F.). We had absolutely no issues with these flights, and both platforms rose to the occasion and performed as expected. We had close to 10 flights as part of the trials," a source says. Confirming the successful HWTs, P.S. Subramanyam, program director for combat aircraft and director of the Aeronautics Development Agency, says that one limited series production-3 aircraft and another prototype vehicle-3 from the Tejas fleet were part of the HWTs at Nagpur.

 

[ajtr]

Negotiations for Tejas aircraft engines soon​

Financial Express

Bangalore: The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is set to start commercial negotiations with aircraft engine makers Eurojet Turbo GmbH and General Electric Aviation for 99 aircraft engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

The two engine manufacturers had been shortlisted after expressions of interest for an alternate engine for the LCA were issued last year. Eurojet, a European consortium, is offering its EJ200 engine, which powers the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter plane while the American firm has put in bids for its GE F414 engine used in the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Superhornet. The new engine will power the Mark II variant of the Tejas, which currently runs on F-404 engines made by GE.

"Soon, we should be starting commercial negotiations, probably in a couple of weeks," said PS Subramanyam, director, ADA. "The technical evaluation is over. I think both of them (companies) are good candidates." The Tejas aircraft ,with its current engine and configuration, is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) from March next year with state-run military plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd supplying 20 planes initially. The proposal for a second batch of 20 planes has been cleared by the defence ministry and negotiations are on, Subramanyam said.

The IAF has indicated the need for five squadrons of the Mark-II, which will feature the alternate, more powerful engine and upgraded electronics. "Wherever there is obsolescence setting in, in terms of advancement of electronics, we are going for state-of-the-art electronics in the Mark-II," said Subramanyam. Even as the process of procurement of engines is on, ADA has begun two tracks of design based on the shortlisted engines so as to not lose time, he added. Meanwhile, a proposal by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to co-develop the indigenous Kaveri engine with French engine house Snecma, is under consideration.

An upgraded and more powerful Kaveri engine is being seen initially as a replacement engine for the first batch of Tejas aircraft, Subramanyam added.

"Every aircraft in its lifetime needs two replacements. Some of those engines are already looking for that. By the time Kaveri gets developed and demonstrated, those engines can start coming as replacement engines for the first 20, 40 (aircraft)," he said. "There is full scope of what their profile is. It is very clear in our mind. The Kaveri engine profile for the next 30 years has a very strong dovetailing into the LCA programme," he added.