ADA Tejas (LCA) News and Discussions

[Patriot]

Tejas Ready For Sea Trials In Goa

India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is ready to undergo another round of crucial sea trials in Goa.

Sources tell AVIATION WEEK that this time the testing will involve the firing of a missile and the jettisoning of a drop tank. The trials are set to take place this week at Naval Air Station Hansa, Dabolim, in Goa. Tejas successfully completed earlier sea trials in September as part of its Out of Station Flight Test Plan.

Pilots from the Bengaluru-based National Flight Test Center will perform the weapon trials this time.

"The density of air and humidity is very high in Goa. This time during the sea-level trials we are evaluating the radar, helmet-mounted systems and instrument landing systems," a source said. "We will also test the radar warning receiver."

In addition to firing a Russian-made R-73 air-to-air missile, the pilots are scheduled to test the safe drop tank separation from the aircraft.

"We have done all the ground-based tests. We are planning four-five drops at various speeds, altitudes and angles of attack," a source said. "Tejas can carry 5,000 liters of fuel, including 1,200 each in drop tanks [and] 2,400 in wings and fuselage."

Tejas also can carry two outboard R-73 missiles and two mid-board beyond visual range (BVR) Derby missiles from Israel.

"We have fired an R-73 missile in October 2007 against a zero target. It is important to see the safe separation of the missile," the source said. Plume separation studies, which involve interaction with a missile's exhaust, also will be carried out during the trials.

Various Tejas platforms have performed 1,481 flights, clocking about 878 hr. Tejas also has achieved Mach 1.6 at 15 km. altitude and a calibrated air speed of 1,350 kph.

Tejas is scheduled to complete its pre-initial operational clearance requirements by Dec. 27.

Tejas photo: Tarmak007






http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2010/11/diwali-in-dabolim-team-tejas-ready-for.html

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Just waiting for LCA`s BVR tests.....

 

[Patriot]

Breaking on Tarmak007: Tejas test fires R-73 close combat missile

Latest photos from Tejas sea trials in Goa.

As a run up to the impending achieving of IOC and release to service, a Tejas detachment has been operating from INS Hansa in Goa, conducting the last phase of flight trials. One of the main objectives of the current phase of flight trials was clearing the firing envelope of air to air close combat missile from the Tejas. The R-73 missile, which is the chosen air to air close combat missile for the Tejas. The missile is integrated with the on-board Digital Stores Management System (SMS) and Open Architecture Mission and Display Computer. The missile selection is performed from the high resolution Multi Function Display (MFD) pages integrated with the state of the art on-board avionics. All these equipments form the IOC standard of Avionics.
The test firing was done from the Tejas LSP-4 aircraft, piloted by Gp Capt. George Thomas, Group Director (Flight Test Operations) of the National Flight Test Centre, ADA. The test aircraft was accompanied by a chase Tejas piloted by Gp Capt Suneet Krishna. This critical test was closely monitored and controlled by the Test Director Wg Cdr Toffeen, supported by the safety pilot, Gp Capt (Retd) RR Tyagi, from the mobile telemetry positioned at the test location. The data and video from the test aircraft were also available at the base station in Bangalore through a dedicated fibre optic link set up for this purpose.
This flight test demonstrated the following important requirements of the user:
a) Safe separation of the missile from the test aircraft.
b) No Missile plume effect on the engine operation.
c) Avionics and Weapon system functionality and safety interlocks.
d) Aircraft Handling quality assessment during missile release.
e) Effect of missile plume on the composite structure.
More firings of the missile are planned during the current week leading to CCM firing envelope clearance for the Tejas. The composite team of ADA, HAL, NAL and ADE designers is involved in the planning of the subsequent firing tests. The aircraft are being supported outstation by a composite HAL and IAF team with DGAQA and CEMILAC personnel. The result of this critical test has added yet another feather on the cap of 'Team Tejas' and the entire team is looking forward to the successful completion of the balance tasks.







http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2010/11/breaking-on-tarmak007-tejas-test-fires.html

 

[nitesh]

same reported here too:

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/11/tejas-lsp-4-fires-r-73-missile-again.html

 

[nitesh]

same reported here too:

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/11/tejas-lsp-4-fires-r-73-missile-again.html

 

[SHASH2K2]

same reported here too:

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/11/tejas-lsp-4-fires-r-73-missile-again.html

Looks like people are not very happy with This test . They expected RD 77 or something better than that . Maybe we need to wait till some more details about test comes out.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Looks like people are not very happy with This test . They expected RD 77 or something better than that . Maybe we need to wait till some more details about test comes out.

Integration of BVR in this case R-77 is not expected (ethically) before IOC. Throughout the world this trend is religiously followed. I wonder what special if LCA designers following same track? I think some Indians still need to educate themselves in order to reduce their ignorance.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Looks like people are not very happy with This test . They expected RD 77 or something better than that . Maybe we need to wait till some more details about test comes out.

India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is ready to undergo another round of crucial sea trials in Goa. Sources tell AVIATION WEEK that this time the testing will involve the firing of a missile and the jettisoning of a drop tank. The trials are set to take place this week at Naval Air Station Hansa, Dabolim, in Goa. Tejas successfully completed earlier sea trials in September as part of its Out of Station Flight Test Plan.Pilots from the Bengaluru-based National Flight Test Center will perform the weapon trials this time. In addition to firing a Russian-made R-73 air-to-air missile, the pilots are scheduled to test the safe drop tank separation from the aircraft. Tejas can carry 5,000 liters of fuel, including 1,200 each in drop tanks [and] 2,400 in wings and fuselage. It can also carry two outboard R-73 missiles and two mid-board beyond visual range (BVR) Derby missiles from Israel.

http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/



Now Why Derby?

Is it coz, LCA radar is a Israeli one ?

 

[Crusader53]

Have we heard anything about the split between single and twin seat LCA is Indian Air Force or Naval Service???

 

[Crusader53]

Have you heard anything about the split between single and twin seat LCA in Indian Air Force or Naval Service????

 

[Rahul Singh]

Last phase of Tejas sea trials ahead of IOC; text-book launch of R-73: PS

India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) moved one step closer to its much-awaited initial operational clearance (IOC) when a limited series production (LSP-4) platform fired a Russian-made R-73 air-to-air close combat missile at INS Hansa in Goa on Nov. 30. Tejas Program Director P.S. Subramaniam tells Tarmak007 that LSP-4 flew at 12 km. (7.5 mi.) altitude and reached Mach 0.7. "The missile [separated] from the platform as per the textbook prescription and there was no plume effect on the engine," he says. "This is the first time a Tejas platform flew with a missile and later fired in the IOC-standard avionics system. The pilots also tested Tejas on a side-slip mode."This could be the last phase of sea trials in Goa, ahead of IOC. The team is expected to perform drop tank separations in the next few days. The Indian Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) says the one of the main objectives of the current phase of flight trials is clearing the firing envelope of the missile from the Tejas."The very fact that the missile was integrated and tested on an Indian platform without the participation of the OEM [Russia], shows the strength of India in handling such complex technologies. It is significant for all of us," Subramaniam says.Team Tejas is fast approaching the December deadline to finish formalities ahead of attaining the program's Release to Service standards.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Why there isn't any video release of the LSP-5???? Can anybody have some stuff on this???

ADA has more important things like caring for getting IOC by deadline than caring for jingo's feelings.

Check this picture the tail marking clearly says Kota Harinarayana (KH) 2015, which means jet in pic is LSP-5.

 

[Rahul Singh]

http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/



Now Why Derby?

Is it coz, LCA radar is a Israeli one ?

No it is because Navy insisted for Derby BVRAAM which they are already using on LUSH upgraded Sea Harriers. But for IAF LCA BVRAAM of choice is R-77 and will be standard on IAF LCA.

BTW LCA radar is not Israeli purely rather it is hybrid one and has substantial indigenous content.

Have you heard anything about the split between single and twin seat LCA in Indian Air Force or Naval Service????

One IAF squadron normally has one trainer per nine fighters. So obviously, of IAF's order for fourty LCAs four will be LCA Trainer, considering it gets certified by the time of production or most probably by induction.

 

[sayareakd]

so how long till they test R77 missile from LCA, few more months ???

 

[Rahul Singh]

so how long till they test R77 missile from LCA, few more months ???

Positively yes. However interesting thing is that LCA's present MMR has some amount of EL-2032 inside and in past HAL has integrated 'Derby' with EL-2032 on LUSH Sea Harriers respectively so i don't expect any problems arising. However entire avionics architecture, core computer and mission computer of LCA is different and new and can take some time considering some unexpected problems arises.

 

[sayareakd]

Positively yes. However interesting thing is that LCA's present MMR has some amount of EL-2032 inside and in past HAL has integrated both 'R-77' and 'Derby' with EL-2032 of Mig-21BISs and LUSH Sea Harriers respectively so i don't expect any problems arising. However entire avionics architecture, core computer and mission computer of LCA is different and new and can take some time considering some unexpected problems arises.

once the safe missile firing is mastered from LCA then it will be next logical step for the DRDO. later on Astra will be put on LCA.

 

[Rahul Singh]

once the safe missile firing is mastered from LCA then it will be next logical step for the DRDO. later on Astra will be put on LCA.

True Sayar. R-77 is very costly in comparison to R-73 and it is dead required to test and certify safe separation and also guided firing of CCM before testing any BVRAAM. Not to mention that R-77 stock in IAG arsenal is not too big...........

Yes ASTRA BVRAAM MK-2 is future for LCA but till then R-77s is going to stay. BTW Sayar do you idea when air to air firing trials of ASTRA will commence. I guess captive trials, carriage trials and its integration with SU-30 MKIs are over and successful.

 

[sayareakd]

BTW Sayar do you idea when air to air firing trials of ASTRA will commence. I guess captive trials, carriage trials and its integration with SU-30 MKIs are over and successful.

Rahul it appears (guess) to me that problem is two fold first DRDO at present want to check most of the parameters of Astra before start trials from fighter . IAF in its part (given the level of confidence they have with DRDO) i think will think twice before giving their MKI for the test for ASTRA, they will wait for year or so and first they want to start with some other aircraft then directly with MKI.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Tejas fires R-73 again in Goa, chaff & flare firing too tested


25 DAYS TO GO

In Goa, sources tell that the Tejas, in addition to firing a R-73 missile, also tested the chaff (to jam enemy radars) and flare (to divert an incoming missile) firing.

Added later

(Official ADA Release)

As a run up to the impending release to service, Tejas detachment has been operating from INS Hansa in Goa, conducting the last phase of flight trials before release to Service by the year end. After having successfully test-fired one R-73 air to air close combat missile on 30 November further missile firing trials are continuing at INS Hansa in Goa. On 2nd December after successful release of another R-73 missile, the test aircraft Tejas LSP-4 piloted by Gp Capt Suneet Krishna proceeded to test fire Chaff and Flares from the Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) indigenously designed and developed by Bharath Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Hyderabad.
Chaff is a collection of fine fibre-coated aluminium particles released from the fighter aircraft for passive jamming of the enemy air-borne radar; while Flares are high intensity Infra Red (IR) source fired from the fighter aircraft, which acts as a passive jammer to the on-coming heat seeking enemy missile and deviates it away from the target aircraft. Today's test firing of Chaff and Flares from Tejas assumes special significance as this is the first time indigenously developed CMDS was integrated and tested on an indigenous fighter aircraft with Open Architecture Mission Computer and Digital Stores Management System. The release and trajectory of these stores were closely monitored by another Tejas chase aircraft flown in close proximity of the test aircraft. Visual observation supported by analysis of video recording of the release event indicated that the trial was successful, meeting the stipulated design requirements of the system. The test therefore was the culmination of a long journey of Tejas from a fledgling fighter aircraft to a full blown weapon system with passive missile and radar jamming capabilities.
The achievement is the culminations of the endeavor of several scientists and engineers from HAL , IAF, NAL, DRDO, DPSUs, CEMILAC, DG-AQA and ADA. A major achievement in the Tejas programme

 

[Rahul Singh]

Since it is a back to back test firing, i am getting a feeling that it can't be any other separation test or anything close to just technical. Rather this time they have tested something tactical as well, may be they have tested R-73 against an aerial target with the help of MMR tracking.