ADA Tejas (LCA) News and Discussions

[Rahul Singh]

Thanks ADA for taking the burden off from fanboys. I feel now, other than many, one member here in this thread must have got answers to many of his questions and of course to his skepticism.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Thanks ADA for taking the burden off from fanboys. I feel now, other than many, one member here in this thread must have got answers to many of his questions and of course to his skepticism.

Rahul any update about aircraft's engine performance . Many people say that its still not able to attain required thrust and drag effect is still there which hampers its speed . I am not sure about which engine is being used now for tests .Is it GE 404?

 

[Rahul Singh]

Rahul any update about aircraft's engine performance . Many people say that its still not able to attain required thrust and drag effect is still there which hampers its speed . I am not sure about which engine is being used now for tests .Is it GE 404?

Nothing new as such. But engine without any doubt is F-404 IN on LCAs LSP-2 onwards. Lot have improved like since last sea trials of 2008 but like you said LCA MK-1 is still not able to meet the demanding ASR and as experts say it is not possible until new powerful engine is installed. Increase in empty weight by 1000KG was totally unexpected otherwise ADA from start could have gone for M-53 thrust class turbofan. But nevertheless LCA MK-1 is still good for BVR and for limited air to ground roles and a good replacement for Mig-21 Bis something which IAF acknowledges.

 

[gogbot]

Rahul any update about aircraft's engine performance . Many people say that its still not able to attain required thrust and drag effect is still there which hampers its speed . I am not sure about which engine is being used now for tests .Is it GE 404?

Tejas been outfitted to work with the GE404 engine only so far. It has never flown with any other engine.

Engine performance is out of ADA's hands , they can at best only make the airframe optimizations.
To work on the GE engine , they would have to work closely with GE to make it happen.
Just like Volvo did with GE on the Saab project.

Since we have project KAveri , and regardless of that
we already have the GE414 , in the future road map of the project.
I doubt we will see much work on the engine above the few customizations we made to bring it to Ge 404 IN.

 

[Rahul Singh]

I doubt we will see much work on the engine above the few customizations we made to bring it to Ge 404 IN.

Not Kaveri thread but related.

F-404 IN's thrust is only 85 KN wet and KAVERI-ECO will be of no use if it provides just that. The prime reason behing roping SNECMA was to bring Kaveri up to usable level which i guess is minimum 90KN wet. Moreover AMCA requires two engines each with 90KN thrust and it has been written many times that hybrid Kaveri is the most preferred option.

 

[Patriot]

Rahul , has Tejas crossed super sonic speed during previous test flights? As I could not find so.

 

[Rahul Singh]

If you are asking about particular then i can't say but if in general then yes HF-XX Tejas has crossed sound barrier many time and first one was way back in 2003.

Tejas breaks sound barrier to make history
Fighter aircraft Tejas clocks fastest speed during testing

 

[Godless-Kafir]

Has Tejas ever achieved its maximum speed of Mach-1.8?

 

[maomao]

Tejas successfully test fires Chaff and Flares


BANGALORE: After the successful release of another R-73 missile , the test aircraft Tejas LSP-4 today test fired 'Chaff and Flares' from the indigenously designed Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS).

Chaff is a collection of fine fibre-coated aluminium particles released from the fighter aircraft for passive jamming of the enemy air-borne radar.

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, a DRDO release said.

Today's test firing assumes 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 event indicated that the trial was successful, meeting the stipulated design requirements of the system.

The test 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.

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. It test-fired one R-73 air to air close combat missile on November 30,the release said.

The CMDS was developed by Bharath Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Hyderabad.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ires-Chaff-and-Flares/articleshow/7029816.cms

 

[neo29]

Tejas Performs Chaff Flare Test

India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft on Dec. 2 test-fired chaff and flares from the countermeasure dispensing system (CMDS) indigenously designed and developed by Bharath Dynamics Ltd. (BDL), Hyderabad.

This was part of the Tejas' ongoing sea trials at INS Hansa in Goa. Tejas LSP-4, piloted by Group Capt. Suneet Krishna, also fired another R-73 missile Dec. 2, following a firing on Nov. 30 (Aerospace DAILY, Dec. 1).

The CMDS firing assumes special significance, as this is the first time an indigenously developed CMDS was integrated and tested on an indigenous fighter aircraft with an 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," says the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which builds Tejas. "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."

Tejas program chief P.S. Subramaniam tells AVIATION WEEK that the program is on track. "This is a significant achievement for the project and augurs well for our future missions also," Subramaniam says.

While the Tejas team is excited about the program inching closer to its much-awaited initial operational clearance (IOC), with a series of successful trials and first flights of new platforms from the flight-line, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is watching developments very closely.

When asked to comment on Tejas' weapon trials in Goa, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal P.K. Barbora says: "If they [Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.-ADA] can stick to the timelines for IOC and deliver the numbers they have promised by certain dates, it will be a great thing for us."

A high-level meeting with all stakeholders was held at ADA on Dec. 2 to assess the level of certification process achieved so far.

Source : aviationweek.com

 

[Patriot]

Tejas logs 1,500th flight; gearbox gets Type Approval from CEMILAC

Gp Capt Suneet

Tejas logged the 1,500th flight today marking a small, yet significant, milestone. Sources tell Tarmak007 that when the PV-2 [from Tejas flight-line] landed in Bangalore from Goa, it marked the 1,500th flight. Tejas first flew in 2001, January 4.
Today's flight was piloted by Gp Capt Suneet Krishna of NFTC. Tejas fired yet another R-73 missile (a total of 3 during this phase of sea trials) at an altitude of 15 km. "At this altitude very rarely a missile is fired and in that sense it is a great achievement. Last week alone we did 25-30 flights in Goa and Bangalore," an engineer, attached to Mission Goa, said. Each flight is said to have lasted from 30-45 minutes. "This again demonstrates the serviceability of the aircraft," he adds.
The DRDO, in the meantime, said in a press release that the Tejas gearbox was finally certified. (See the release below as it is.)
Chennai-based CVRDE has indigenously designed and developed Aircraft-Mounted Accessory Gearbox (AMAGB) for Tejas application. The AMAGB is capable of transmitting 250 HP at 16,810 rpm with less than 38 kg of weight. AMAGB operates in two modes i.e., Starter mode and Accessory mode. In starter mode, it aids in starting the engine through Jet Fuel Starter (JFS).
In accessory mode, it drives accessories namely, two hydraulic pumps and an Integrated Drive Generator (IDG).This gearbox has undergone strenuous environmental and structural test. Further, this gearbox has also undergone 1000 hours of Endurance Test. Till date, AMAGB gearboxes have undergone more than 2000 hours of flight testing. As a pre-curser to induction into Indian Air force, 'Type Approval' from CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) is mandatory. CVRDE has successfully obtained this type approval for AMAGB from CEMILAC.





http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2010/12/tejas-logs-1500th-flight-gearbox-gets.html

 

[icecoolben]

I did quite a bit of research on how much demand is there on the open market for tejas, from what I've found. Few airforces apart from the Indian air force are in quite desperate need of aircraft. I've categorised them into look east and look west. In the east we have vietnam looking to replace 200 mig-21 and indonesia looking for 50 kfx. In the west we have egypt which needs to replace j-7, mirage 5, mig-21 amounting to 173 and turkey f-5 at 77.
Lets say after 40 tejas mk-1 IAF doesn't want anymore, so what I propose is in the words of godfather "an offer they can't refuse" that IAF will transfer air worthy Tejas 10 each (8 single-seat and 2- twin) to two nations it is operating from the second squadron which was formed after FOC to either of the west or east consortium, while Hal replaces tejas in Iaf 2nd squadron through 2016, since by then tejas mk-2 will be ready for production, the assembly and production lines that are exclusive to tejas Mk-1 can be transferred then to the east or west consortium completely free of charge provided they pay for transportation and oppurtunity cost, i.e to sum up zero profits, atleast the work put in by scientists and engineers for mk-1 will not be wasted. Wastage of resources is criminal by all accounts, since the IAF will never realise this, we rather make some friends through these unprepedented gestures. I'm also open to transferring the line to a single nation, if they are so committed, but lets not waste it.

tell me what u guys think, I have another idea as well. But I'll post it after a good debate on the current sugession.

If we want to sell LCA Tejas and find buyers in other countries, why not? We can even give the first few away for free if that gives us a few hundred sales.
The bigger question is, what kind of production line do we have? Can we make them fast enough to supply IAF and IN as well as supply them to external buyers?
I am not sure if we should sell it to

Even if we ramp up the production LCA cannot be exported without an Indian Engine . Thats not coming in few years so even if we want we cannot export LCA as of now.

Tejas mk-1 already has f404 engine, same as used in KAI F/A -50 golden eagle and saab gripen c/d albeit in diffrent models.so production lines are still running. GE can lobby with US gov to supply them to any of Vietnam, Indonesia, Egypt or turkey since all of them are in good terms with the US and except vietnam others are declared allies.

The first two squadrons of tejas mk-1 will be delivered in 2014, after which till 2018 the production will be halt. after 2016, the lines will be replaced to cater to tejas mk-2. tejas mk-2 will need different jigs and assembly equipment since it has larger wings, different engine, more hardpoints which alters the design shape of aircraft needing different assembling tools. So lines exclusive for tejas mk-1 cannot be used for mk2, hence will be replaced.
What i propose is, instead of throwing it to disuse the lines can be transferred to the above mentioned countries. After all the mig-35 is making a very similar offer.

 

[Patriot]

Tejas To Demonstrate Stores Release At Chitradurga Range

India's Aeronautical Development Agency is gearing up to start the last phase of flight trials for the Tejas light combat aircraft at Chitradurga in Karnataka, 100 mi. northwest of here.

This will be the first time the new test range of the Defense Research and Development Organization will be put to use.

Test pilots from the National Flight Test Center in Bengaluru are readying themselves to undertake the last leg of weapon trials/stores release in Chitradurga. "Currently, a series of trials are being done to characterize the aerodynamics of the platform," a senior official associated with the program says. "This will be the first outing for Tejas in Chitradurga. We are now setting up the telemetry range."

Aviation Week has learned that accuracy studies will be done at Chitradurga when Tejas releases stores. "It will be dummy trials to start with," the official says. "The pilots will be taking off from Old Bangalore airport and land after finishing their mission in Chitradurga within 10-12 minutes."

The certification process for Tejas is now entering its last lap with the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (Cemilac). "Once the proposed trials in Chitradurga are over, we would have finished all the parameters Tejas should have tested ahead of the initial operational clearance," the official says.

An Empowered Committee Meeting is scheduled in New Delhi next week with the Indian air force chief to review the certification process. "Once we demonstrate all that the Indian air force [wants], the Cemilac will hand over the documents to the air force," the official says. "By December 27, we are sure that the Tejas will enter the initial operational clearance phase. However, the production aircraft will be available to air force pilots only by mid-2011. There's 100% clarity on everything now."

Tejas photo: ADA







http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?topicName=india&id=news/awx/2010/12/07/awx_12_07_2010_p0-274848.xml&headline=Tejas%20To%20Demonstrate%20Stores%20Release%20At%20Chitradurga%20Range

 

[Rahul Singh]

Great news, i am expecting LGB drops this time and may be drop tank jettisoning test. BTW great to read ADA confirming that their will be no further delay in acquiring IOC which is due by 26th dec. Hope, now sceptics will give break to their ever lipping tongue.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Tejas team after 1500th filight.

Looks like gentleman(3rd from left) is from 'Jamiat', that ankle high lower concept.

 

[neo29]

Lets hope Dec 27 is a memorable day to us if Tejas gets its IOC .

 

[Patriot]

Complement the above news

Tejas Gets Ready For IOC

http://chhindits.blogspot.com/2010/12/tejas-gets-ready-for-ioc.html

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

Nice to hear that TEJAS(HF-Hindustsn Fighter) will be ready for induction.........:emot112:

 

[chex3009]

This the the video comparing LCA Tejas and JF-17 in rebuttal to one of the videos created by the member of Bharat Rakshak, I got this video on PakDef.

 

[SHASH2K2]

This the the video comparing LCA Tejas and JF-17 in rebuttal to one of the videos created by the member of Bharat Rakshak, I got this video on PakDef.

All I would say is that Pakistanis are capable of proving just anything. why are we wasting so much of money on proving advance mathematics and physics theorems. Give it to Pakistanis and they can prove it in a second.