ADA Tejas Mark-II/Medium Weight Fighter

Kunal Biswas

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Now it is understandable why their is a tender for AESA radars ..

The existing deal to arm planned MK1As goes to Israeli, Additional MK1 upgrade will be outsourced by this new tender ..

I understand, there is less work to be done by ADA/HAL for developing Tejas MK1-A. Work is getting outsourced.

AESA Radar will be basically fitted by chosen company (mostly ELTA SYSTEMS, ISRAEL)
Further the proposed AESA Radar shall be capable of integrating with EW Suite (i.e., Digital RWR and podded jammer), combined interrogator & transponder (CIT), short range air to air missiles and BVR missiles.
The scope of supply also includes compatible Radome along with the AESA Radar.

Request for Quotation (RFQ) envisages the selection of an appropriate vendor for the supply of contemporary AESA Radar for LCA Mk1A platform including technical support for integration, ground/flight testing and certification.

So, there is nothing much for HAL to develop in Mk1-A.. and they can surely concentrate to work on development of Tejas MK2.

View attachment 12783
 

sonumalik

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Will there be a Tejas MKII anywhere in IAF or Navy. Navy recently said Tejas was overweight and less powered. IAF already said they are going with mk1 A. Is there a future of MKII anywhere.?
 

Kunal Biswas

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Read the thread about more information, Same quarries have been asked before and answered ..

Its not possible to reproduce same material every-time for newbies ..

Will there be a Tejas MKII anywhere in IAF or Navy. Navy recently said Tejas was overweight and less powered. IAF already said they are going with mk1 A. Is there a future of MKII anywhere.?
 

Defcon 1

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I understand, there is less work to be done by ADA/HAL for developing Tejas MK1-A. Work is getting outsourced.

AESA Radar will be basically fitted by chosen company (mostly ELTA SYSTEMS, ISRAEL)
Further the proposed AESA Radar shall be capable of integrating with EW Suite (i.e., Digital RWR and podded jammer), combined interrogator & transponder (CIT), short range air to air missiles and BVR missiles.
The scope of supply also includes compatible Radome along with the AESA Radar.

Request for Quotation (RFQ) envisages the selection of an appropriate vendor for the supply of contemporary AESA Radar for LCA Mk1A platform including technical support for integration, ground/flight testing and certification.

So, there is nothing much for HAL to develop in Mk1-A.. and they can surely concentrate to work on development of Tejas MK2.

View attachment 12783
LCA Mk1A was never about only AESA. This is a popular misconception. Major changes are changes to various parts of the aircraft which will make the maintenance much easier and weight reduction, which will still be done by ADA only.
 

Abhishek Shrivastava

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Now it is understandable why their is a tender for AESA radars ..

The existing deal to arm planned MK1As goes to Israeli, Additional MK1 upgrade will be outsourced by this new tender ..
Sir Does GE is ready with 414 enhanced engine to be deliver some time next year.
Is order for the engine are placed with GE, if yes how many of them are on order list.
Sorry for two many questions.
 

Kunal Biswas

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I cannot say about it as i have not countered any recent report from GOI ..

Sir Does GE is ready with 414 enhanced engine to be deliver some time next year.
Is order for the engine are placed with GE, if yes how many of them are on order list.
Sorry for two many questions.
 

ezsasa

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I understand, there is less work to be done by ADA/HAL for developing Tejas MK1-A. Work is getting outsourced.

AESA Radar will be basically fitted by chosen company (mostly ELTA SYSTEMS, ISRAEL)
Further the proposed AESA Radar shall be capable of integrating with EW Suite (i.e., Digital RWR and podded jammer), combined interrogator & transponder (CIT), short range air to air missiles and BVR missiles.
The scope of supply also includes compatible Radome along with the AESA Radar.

Request for Quotation (RFQ) envisages the selection of an appropriate vendor for the supply of contemporary AESA Radar for LCA Mk1A platform including technical support for integration, ground/flight testing and certification.

So, there is nothing much for HAL to develop in Mk1-A.. and they can surely concentrate to work on development of Tejas MK2.

View attachment 12783
Parrikar had mentioned in his early interviews that organisations like HAL should act as lead integrators instead of trying to develop every sub component.

I guess that is being implemented now.
 

Rahul Singh

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Parrikar had mentioned in his early interviews that organisations like HAL should act as lead integrators instead of trying to develop every sub component.

I guess that is being implemented now.
For example HAL has outsourced manufacturing of centre fuselage and wings + rudder ( whole vertical tail fin) to private sector. And curently in process of out ssourcing front and fuselage as well. This entirely speaks of HAL's wish of becoming lead integrator, only. Interestingly HAL could have outsourced all four major sections of Tejas -- front, centre and rear fuselage as well as wings fins and undercarriage -- to just two vendors who are currently supplying centre fuselage and wings + vertical tail for want of speed. But it choose to wait for encouraging more to become teir-1 vendors hence supporting the wish for having a sufficiently developed ecosystem. I just wish IAF instead of simply bashing HAL shows same commitment and encourage ADA and HAL by agreeing atleast in principal for in-future purchase of atleast 6 squadrons of Tejas MK-2.
 

Rahul Singh

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Will there be a Tejas MKII anywhere in IAF or Navy. Navy recently said Tejas was overweight and less powered. IAF already said they are going with mk1 A. Is there a future of MKII anywhere.?
While such information is making rounds everywhere I for one have failed so far in finding a single source which has cited CNS while informing about rejection of NLCA MK-2 specifically.
 

mayfair

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HAL Tejas Mark 2:- Advanced Variant of LCA Tejas
by defenceupdate · Published January 8, 2017 · Updated January 8, 2017



HAL Tejas Mark 2 is being developed to meet the latest Indian Force Requirements and will incorporate fifth-generation jet fighters elements which are intended to make way into the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).It is being developed for the use of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Indian had,Last January,Sanctioned US $542.22 Million(INR 2431.55 crore) for Aeronautical Development Agency(ADA) of DRDO to develop the IAF’s Tejas Mark 2 variant and the Indian Navy’s LCA Mark 2 (navy) Variant. The IAF is committed to procuring an initial 83 Tejas Mk 2s and the Indian Navy has expressed its firm requirement for 46 LCA Mk2 (Navy).
{so firm orders are in place}
After Collapse of MMRCA deal has clearly shifted focus back to the development of Tejas MK-2 now. Defence minister Mahonhar Parrikar and Indian air force are closely monitoring the progress of Tejas MK-2 and have begun a monthly review of the project.
{good to hear}
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is developing Tejas MK-2 is feeling the heat but is confident that things will fall in place soon as a major review of the project will be undertaken soon with all concerned parties. Tejas MK-2 will get final Technical freeze by the end of this year. project definition of Tejas MK-2 will be completed and the project will finally provide a road map to complete all the tasks to be executed over a fixed period of time before Aircraft is ready for Induction.
.
The LCA Tejas Mark 2 will be powered by the more powerful GE-F414-INS6 engine. ADA is procuring 99 GE-F414-INS6 engines to power the Tejas Mk-2 and LCA Navy. The contract has been finalized and is awaiting approval.Under the contract, the first lot of the engines will come by 2014-15 and the rest would be manufactured in India under transfer of technology.

In July 2012, Defense sources told the PTI that India and the US are close to signing the $600 million contract for 99 engines, with options to order an additional 100 under the negotiated terms.In May 2012, ADA Chief P S Subrahmanya told the press that a contract would be signed with General Electric as soon as the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the deal.

Development Phase and Procurement History

The decision to develop a Mk-2 version of Tejas LCA was taken in September 2008, when it became clear that the Kaveri engine would not be ready in time for the Tejas, which would have to be inducted into service with its current lower thrust GE-F404 engine.The GE-F404 powered Tejas doesn’t meet IAF requirements, so a follow up version of the Tejas is being developed with a more powerful engine. Ironically, LCA Tejas Mk-2 will be the LCA that the IAF sought to begin with.

Evaluation of bid and selection of engine

The initial bids were opened in mid-September 2010. Eurojet bid $666 million and GE $822 million.The GE’s F-414 and Eurojet’s EJ-200–were found technically suitable for the aircraft. The DRDO announced on September 30, 2010 that the Price Negotiating Committee for the Alternate Engine for LCA Mk-2 has finalized the Comparative Statement of Tenders.

The commercial quotes provided by both Eurojet and GE Aviation were evaluated in detail by a defence ministry price negotiating committee, after which GE Aviation was declared the winner, the paper said.The Euroject bid was rejected despite its lower price because it did not include a lot of expenses.So the GE F414 is selected for LCA Tejas and more powerful or advanced GE F414-INS6 is selected for LCA Tejas Mark 2.

Avionics & Radar

Final Cockpit design layout for Tejas MK-2 has been frozen, MK-2 will sport Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode .

The biggest game-changer, one that would make the Tejas a truly formidable multi-role fighter, could be the ongoing project to develop an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This advanced radar, which only US companies have truly mastered, is being developed for the Tejas by the DRDO laboratory, Electronics Research & Development Establishment (LRDE).

Whether or not AESA radar is developed in time for the first Tejas Mark II, this radar will be retrofitted onto these fighters as soon as it is certified, says the ADA chief.

Indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar for Tejas MK-2 has completed Software development for air-air sub-modes and have begun development of software which will allow air-to-ground modes which are crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping, multiple grounds moving target detection and track, combat identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth communications will be completed by year end and IAF and ADA along with LRDE will carry out Project Review at the same time .

Modifications to Airframe and Engine

Minor modifications are being made to the LCA Tejas Mk1 airframe to accommodate the slightly larger engine.It will have a length of 14.2 metres (1 metre more than that of the Tejas Mk 1, for incorporating a stretched nose section and a modified fuselage section aft of the cockpit for housing an expanded complement of mission avionics LRUs), height of 4.6 metres (as opposed to 4.4 metres of the Tejas Mk 1, to accommodate an enlarged vertical tail-section) and a wingspan of 8.2 metres, same as that of the Tejas Mk 1, that, however with an increased wing area.

External stores capacity will be boosted to 5,000 kg (as opposed to 4,000 kg for the Tejas Mk 1), while the twin internal air-intake ducts will be minimally enlarged to cater to the increased airflow requirements of the 98 kN thrust F414-GE-INS6 turbofan built by GE Aero Engines.

Latest Features and Upgrades

The Tejas Mark 2 may feature an indigenously developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar named Uttam.Uttam AESA radar is made for Air-to-air sub-modes but development has started for air-to-ground mode radar as it is crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping,multiple grounds moving target detection and track,combat identification,electronic warfare and ultra high bandwidth communications .

The mark 2 is also equipped with new glass cockpit having Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode.The aircraft also features Digital fly by wire system ,fuel dump system,Tailless compound delta wing and composite structure which improve performance,maintainability and survivability and make it supersonic at all altitudes.

Next up for testing is a sophisticated on-board oxygen generating system, developed by the DRDOs Defence Bioengineering and Electro-medical Laboratory (DEBEL), which continuously collects atmospheric oxygen and supplies it to the pilot. Today, the capacity of the oxygen bottles that contemporary fighters carry limit mission times; when oxygen runs low, the pilot heads back to base. Now, the on-board oxygen generating system, along with mid-air refuelling and the Tejas Mark II increased fuel load, will allow 3-4 hours of continuous flying, more than most fighters in the world.

Other main upgrades includes Higher thrust engine,Structural weight reduction.Upgraded Flight Control computer,In flight refuelling retractable probe,on board oxygen generation system and increased fuel capacity of Mark 2.

Armament-Astra BVRAAM Missile

India’s first Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) Astra missile developed by the DRDO will be integrated with the first batch of Production variant of Tejas MK-2 to be delivered to the Indian air force. IAF is keen on getting Astra missile integrated with Tejas MK-I and MK-2 aircrafts. DRDO plans to start production of a missile by 2018-19.

First Flight

While IAF wants first flight of Tejas MK-2 to take place by end of 2017, ADA can only do it by end of 2018 but both are working together to speed up the process and might agree to some level of compromise, since ADA is not building any Prototypes, but an IOC Standard Production aircraft Integration of all crucial components along with weapons and radar will lead to longer build time said sources. Tejas MK-1 and Tejas MK-2 will share less than 30 % of the components with each other and all agencies are working on selecting component suppliers.

Second Production line

IAF and MOD are exploring feasibility of starting Second production line for Tejas MK2 while IAF is still not put a final figure on MK-2 aircrafts they want but it is estimated that final figure might be close to 300 aircrafts till then IAF is committed itself in procuring an initial 83 Tejas Mk 2s and the Indian Navy has expressed its firm requirement for 46 LCA Mk2 for Indian Navy. Talks have been held with Private Defence companies and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is emerging as a viable option said source.
 

tejas warrior

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HAL Tejas Mark 2:- Advanced Variant of LCA Tejas
by defenceupdate · Published January 8, 2017 · Updated January 8, 2017



HAL Tejas Mark 2 is being developed to meet the latest Indian Force Requirements and will incorporate fifth-generation jet fighters elements which are intended to make way into the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).It is being developed for the use of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Indian had,Last January,Sanctioned US $542.22 Million(INR 2431.55 crore) for Aeronautical Development Agency(ADA) of DRDO to develop the IAF’s Tejas Mark 2 variant and the Indian Navy’s LCA Mark 2 (navy) Variant. The IAF is committed to procuring an initial 83 Tejas Mk 2s and the Indian Navy has expressed its firm requirement for 46 LCA Mk2 (Navy).
{so firm orders are in place}
After Collapse of MMRCA deal has clearly shifted focus back to the development of Tejas MK-2 now. Defence minister Mahonhar Parrikar and Indian air force are closely monitoring the progress of Tejas MK-2 and have begun a monthly review of the project.
{good to hear}
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is developing Tejas MK-2 is feeling the heat but is confident that things will fall in place soon as a major review of the project will be undertaken soon with all concerned parties. Tejas MK-2 will get final Technical freeze by the end of this year. project definition of Tejas MK-2 will be completed and the project will finally provide a road map to complete all the tasks to be executed over a fixed period of time before Aircraft is ready for Induction.
.
The LCA Tejas Mark 2 will be powered by the more powerful GE-F414-INS6 engine. ADA is procuring 99 GE-F414-INS6 engines to power the Tejas Mk-2 and LCA Navy. The contract has been finalized and is awaiting approval.Under the contract, the first lot of the engines will come by 2014-15 and the rest would be manufactured in India under transfer of technology.

In July 2012, Defense sources told the PTI that India and the US are close to signing the $600 million contract for 99 engines, with options to order an additional 100 under the negotiated terms.In May 2012, ADA Chief P S Subrahmanya told the press that a contract would be signed with General Electric as soon as the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the deal.

Development Phase and Procurement History

The decision to develop a Mk-2 version of Tejas LCA was taken in September 2008, when it became clear that the Kaveri engine would not be ready in time for the Tejas, which would have to be inducted into service with its current lower thrust GE-F404 engine.The GE-F404 powered Tejas doesn’t meet IAF requirements, so a follow up version of the Tejas is being developed with a more powerful engine. Ironically, LCA Tejas Mk-2 will be the LCA that the IAF sought to begin with.

Evaluation of bid and selection of engine

The initial bids were opened in mid-September 2010. Eurojet bid $666 million and GE $822 million.The GE’s F-414 and Eurojet’s EJ-200–were found technically suitable for the aircraft. The DRDO announced on September 30, 2010 that the Price Negotiating Committee for the Alternate Engine for LCA Mk-2 has finalized the Comparative Statement of Tenders.

The commercial quotes provided by both Eurojet and GE Aviation were evaluated in detail by a defence ministry price negotiating committee, after which GE Aviation was declared the winner, the paper said.The Euroject bid was rejected despite its lower price because it did not include a lot of expenses.So the GE F414 is selected for LCA Tejas and more powerful or advanced GE F414-INS6 is selected for LCA Tejas Mark 2.

Avionics & Radar

Final Cockpit design layout for Tejas MK-2 has been frozen, MK-2 will sport Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode .

The biggest game-changer, one that would make the Tejas a truly formidable multi-role fighter, could be the ongoing project to develop an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This advanced radar, which only US companies have truly mastered, is being developed for the Tejas by the DRDO laboratory, Electronics Research & Development Establishment (LRDE).

Whether or not AESA radar is developed in time for the first Tejas Mark II, this radar will be retrofitted onto these fighters as soon as it is certified, says the ADA chief.

Indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar for Tejas MK-2 has completed Software development for air-air sub-modes and have begun development of software which will allow air-to-ground modes which are crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping, multiple grounds moving target detection and track, combat identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth communications will be completed by year end and IAF and ADA along with LRDE will carry out Project Review at the same time .

Modifications to Airframe and Engine

Minor modifications are being made to the LCA Tejas Mk1 airframe to accommodate the slightly larger engine.It will have a length of 14.2 metres (1 metre more than that of the Tejas Mk 1, for incorporating a stretched nose section and a modified fuselage section aft of the cockpit for housing an expanded complement of mission avionics LRUs), height of 4.6 metres (as opposed to 4.4 metres of the Tejas Mk 1, to accommodate an enlarged vertical tail-section) and a wingspan of 8.2 metres, same as that of the Tejas Mk 1, that, however with an increased wing area.

External stores capacity will be boosted to 5,000 kg (as opposed to 4,000 kg for the Tejas Mk 1), while the twin internal air-intake ducts will be minimally enlarged to cater to the increased airflow requirements of the 98 kN thrust F414-GE-INS6 turbofan built by GE Aero Engines.

Latest Features and Upgrades

The Tejas Mark 2 may feature an indigenously developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar named Uttam.Uttam AESA radar is made for Air-to-air sub-modes but development has started for air-to-ground mode radar as it is crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping,multiple grounds moving target detection and track,combat identification,electronic warfare and ultra high bandwidth communications .

The mark 2 is also equipped with new glass cockpit having Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode.The aircraft also features Digital fly by wire system ,fuel dump system,Tailless compound delta wing and composite structure which improve performance,maintainability and survivability and make it supersonic at all altitudes.

Next up for testing is a sophisticated on-board oxygen generating system, developed by the DRDOs Defence Bioengineering and Electro-medical Laboratory (DEBEL), which continuously collects atmospheric oxygen and supplies it to the pilot. Today, the capacity of the oxygen bottles that contemporary fighters carry limit mission times; when oxygen runs low, the pilot heads back to base. Now, the on-board oxygen generating system, along with mid-air refuelling and the Tejas Mark II increased fuel load, will allow 3-4 hours of continuous flying, more than most fighters in the world.

Other main upgrades includes Higher thrust engine,Structural weight reduction.Upgraded Flight Control computer,In flight refuelling retractable probe,on board oxygen generation system and increased fuel capacity of Mark 2.

Armament-Astra BVRAAM Missile

India’s first Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) Astra missile developed by the DRDO will be integrated with the first batch of Production variant of Tejas MK-2 to be delivered to the Indian air force. IAF is keen on getting Astra missile integrated with Tejas MK-I and MK-2 aircrafts. DRDO plans to start production of a missile by 2018-19.

First Flight

While IAF wants first flight of Tejas MK-2 to take place by end of 2017, ADA can only do it by end of 2018 but both are working together to speed up the process and might agree to some level of compromise, since ADA is not building any Prototypes, but an IOC Standard Production aircraft Integration of all crucial components along with weapons and radar will lead to longer build time said sources. Tejas MK-1 and Tejas MK-2 will share less than 30 % of the components with each other and all agencies are working on selecting component suppliers.

Second Production line

IAF and MOD are exploring feasibility of starting Second production line for Tejas MK2 while IAF is still not put a final figure on MK-2 aircrafts they want but it is estimated that final figure might be close to 300 aircrafts till then IAF is committed itself in procuring an initial 83 Tejas Mk 2s and the Indian Navy has expressed its firm requirement for 46 LCA Mk2 for Indian Navy. Talks have been held with Private Defence companies and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is emerging as a viable option said source.
It's true, couple of RFPs have been issued for Mk2 by HAL but at the moment I'm not convinced on other information like order etc mentioned by this report. What's their source of information, can't say.
 

airtel

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HAL Tejas Mark 2:- Advanced Variant of LCA Tejas
by defenceupdate · Published January 8, 2017 · Updated January 8, 2017



HAL Tejas Mark 2 is being developed to meet the latest Indian Force Requirements and will incorporate fifth-generation jet fighters elements which are intended to make way into the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).It is being developed for the use of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Indian had,Last January,Sanctioned US $542.22 Million(INR 2431.55 crore) for Aeronautical Development Agency(ADA) of DRDO to develop the IAF’s Tejas Mark 2 variant and the Indian Navy’s LCA Mark 2 (navy) Variant. The IAF is committed to procuring an initial 83 Tejas Mk 2s and the Indian Navy has expressed its firm requirement for 46 LCA Mk2 (Navy).
{so firm orders are in place}
After Collapse of MMRCA deal has clearly shifted focus back to the development of Tejas MK-2 now. Defence minister Mahonhar Parrikar and Indian air force are closely monitoring the progress of Tejas MK-2 and have begun a monthly review of the project.
{good to hear}
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is developing Tejas MK-2 is feeling the heat but is confident that things will fall in place soon as a major review of the project will be undertaken soon with all concerned parties. Tejas MK-2 will get final Technical freeze by the end of this year. project definition of Tejas MK-2 will be completed and the project will finally provide a road map to complete all the tasks to be executed over a fixed period of time before Aircraft is ready for Induction.
.
The LCA Tejas Mark 2 will be powered by the more powerful GE-F414-INS6 engine. ADA is procuring 99 GE-F414-INS6 engines to power the Tejas Mk-2 and LCA Navy. The contract has been finalized and is awaiting approval.Under the contract, the first lot of the engines will come by 2014-15 and the rest would be manufactured in India under transfer of technology.

In July 2012, Defense sources told the PTI that India and the US are close to signing the $600 million contract for 99 engines, with options to order an additional 100 under the negotiated terms.In May 2012, ADA Chief P S Subrahmanya told the press that a contract would be signed with General Electric as soon as the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the deal.

Development Phase and Procurement History

The decision to develop a Mk-2 version of Tejas LCA was taken in September 2008, when it became clear that the Kaveri engine would not be ready in time for the Tejas, which would have to be inducted into service with its current lower thrust GE-F404 engine.The GE-F404 powered Tejas doesn’t meet IAF requirements, so a follow up version of the Tejas is being developed with a more powerful engine. Ironically, LCA Tejas Mk-2 will be the LCA that the IAF sought to begin with.

Evaluation of bid and selection of engine

The initial bids were opened in mid-September 2010. Eurojet bid $666 million and GE $822 million.The GE’s F-414 and Eurojet’s EJ-200–were found technically suitable for the aircraft. The DRDO announced on September 30, 2010 that the Price Negotiating Committee for the Alternate Engine for LCA Mk-2 has finalized the Comparative Statement of Tenders.

The commercial quotes provided by both Eurojet and GE Aviation were evaluated in detail by a defence ministry price negotiating committee, after which GE Aviation was declared the winner, the paper said.The Euroject bid was rejected despite its lower price because it did not include a lot of expenses.So the GE F414 is selected for LCA Tejas and more powerful or advanced GE F414-INS6 is selected for LCA Tejas Mark 2.

Avionics & Radar

Final Cockpit design layout for Tejas MK-2 has been frozen, MK-2 will sport Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode .

The biggest game-changer, one that would make the Tejas a truly formidable multi-role fighter, could be the ongoing project to develop an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This advanced radar, which only US companies have truly mastered, is being developed for the Tejas by the DRDO laboratory, Electronics Research & Development Establishment (LRDE).

Whether or not AESA radar is developed in time for the first Tejas Mark II, this radar will be retrofitted onto these fighters as soon as it is certified, says the ADA chief.

Indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar for Tejas MK-2 has completed Software development for air-air sub-modes and have begun development of software which will allow air-to-ground modes which are crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping, multiple grounds moving target detection and track, combat identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth communications will be completed by year end and IAF and ADA along with LRDE will carry out Project Review at the same time .

Modifications to Airframe and Engine

Minor modifications are being made to the LCA Tejas Mk1 airframe to accommodate the slightly larger engine.It will have a length of 14.2 metres (1 metre more than that of the Tejas Mk 1, for incorporating a stretched nose section and a modified fuselage section aft of the cockpit for housing an expanded complement of mission avionics LRUs), height of 4.6 metres (as opposed to 4.4 metres of the Tejas Mk 1, to accommodate an enlarged vertical tail-section) and a wingspan of 8.2 metres, same as that of the Tejas Mk 1, that, however with an increased wing area.

External stores capacity will be boosted to 5,000 kg (as opposed to 4,000 kg for the Tejas Mk 1), while the twin internal air-intake ducts will be minimally enlarged to cater to the increased airflow requirements of the 98 kN thrust F414-GE-INS6 turbofan built by GE Aero Engines.

Latest Features and Upgrades

The Tejas Mark 2 may feature an indigenously developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar named Uttam.Uttam AESA radar is made for Air-to-air sub-modes but development has started for air-to-ground mode radar as it is crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping,multiple grounds moving target detection and track,combat identification,electronic warfare and ultra high bandwidth communications .

The mark 2 is also equipped with new glass cockpit having Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode.The aircraft also features Digital fly by wire system ,fuel dump system,Tailless compound delta wing and composite structure which improve performance,maintainability and survivability and make it supersonic at all altitudes.

Next up for testing is a sophisticated on-board oxygen generating system, developed by the DRDOs Defence Bioengineering and Electro-medical Laboratory (DEBEL), which continuously collects atmospheric oxygen and supplies it to the pilot. Today, the capacity of the oxygen bottles that contemporary fighters carry limit mission times; when oxygen runs low, the pilot heads back to base. Now, the on-board oxygen generating system, along with mid-air refuelling and the Tejas Mark II increased fuel load, will allow 3-4 hours of continuous flying, more than most fighters in the world.

Other main upgrades includes Higher thrust engine,Structural weight reduction.Upgraded Flight Control computer,In flight refuelling retractable probe,on board oxygen generation system and increased fuel capacity of Mark 2.

Armament-Astra BVRAAM Missile

India’s first Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) Astra missile developed by the DRDO will be integrated with the first batch of Production variant of Tejas MK-2 to be delivered to the Indian air force. IAF is keen on getting Astra missile integrated with Tejas MK-I and MK-2 aircrafts. DRDO plans to start production of a missile by 2018-19.

First Flight

While IAF wants first flight of Tejas MK-2 to take place by end of 2017, ADA can only do it by end of 2018 but both are working together to speed up the process and might agree to some level of compromise, since ADA is not building any Prototypes, but an IOC Standard Production aircraft Integration of all crucial components along with weapons and radar will lead to longer build time said sources. Tejas MK-1 and Tejas MK-2 will share less than 30 % of the components with each other and all agencies are working on selecting component suppliers.

Second Production line

IAF and MOD are exploring feasibility of starting Second production line for Tejas MK2 while IAF is still not put a final figure on MK-2 aircrafts they want but it is estimated that final figure might be close to 300 aircrafts till then IAF is committed itself in procuring an initial 83 Tejas Mk 2s and the Indian Navy has expressed its firm requirement for 46 LCA Mk2 for Indian Navy. Talks have been held with Private Defence companies and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is emerging as a viable option said source.

unreliable news ............most of the information are wrong .
 

kunal1123

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did any one know about military thrust of GE-F414-INS6 engine and F414-EDE .
 

IndianHawk

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I just wish IAF instead of simply bashing HAL shows same commitment and encourage ADA and HAL by agreeing atleast in principal for in-future purchase of atleast 6 squadrons of Tejas MK-2
That there lies the holy grail of our indigenization failure.
IAF is on a high horse . With all wester equipment plus vested interests are there why should they bother with HCL.

Chinese today have mostly indigenous airforce even if they copied.
There airforce was simply told to deal with what they could get.never heard Chinese complaining about state of the art issues with there aircrafts.

Even in USA or Russia they deal with what they have got that is how they stuck to it and improved.

Let's hope Rafael FGFA and new single engine fighter are the last major import contacts.
 

Tarun Kumar

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It is not so simple. In war nobody cares if your platform is local or foreign if it works. We have failed miserably to indegenize EW suit, AESA radar and most crucially the sensors. These sensors can detect an aircraft even if it stealth from its heat signature or even its electronic signs, noise etc. As of now only US and France have this kind of technology. We should take LM offer with both hands provided Trump does not mess up. Also FGFA must be cancelled asap. The Russians are nowhere close to Americans in electronics and FGFA is a souped up Su 35. The Americans and French must be told that further orders are contingent on helping us with AMCA. Trump is desparate to reduce F35 costs and he will agree .It is pointless to go for LCA Mk2 now, buy F16V with all the advanced sensors and ask LM to produce the same for AMCA. With Israeli or American GAN AESA, F16 sensors and Indian stealth design, AMCA will be ready by 2025 and will be deployed by 2035 and will be superior to J20 and J31 and even FGFA. Also keep HAL out of AMCA and select Tata for both f16 and AMCA project.
 

IndianHawk

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It is not so simple. In war nobody cares if your platform is local or foreign if it works.
It requires money to buy equipments which can bankrupt a nation at times of war.
Also spares are hard to come by if weapon is foreign remember kargil.

We have failed miserably to indegenize EW suit, AESA radar and most crucially the sensors
Exactly because we always had something to buy off the shelf. If not I believe our efforts would have been much more sincere and honest.
The Americans and French must be told that further orders are contingent on helping us with AMCA.
Americans will help with nuts and bolts. No body is transferring any serious technology.the sooner we shade this delusion the better.
It is pointless to go for LCA Mk2 now, buy F16V with all the advanced sensors and ask LM to produce the same for AMCA. With Israeli or American GAN AESA, F16 sensors and Indian stealth design, AMCA will be ready by 2025 and will be deployed by 2035 and will be superior to J20 and J31 and even FGFA. Also keep HAL out of AMCA and select Tata for both f16 and AMCA project.
None of it makes any logical sense . You are spiralling.
 

Tarun Kumar

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The point I am making is that LCA Mk2 with better engines is still no match for F16V versions we are discussing with LM. In war, F16V will simply have too powerful tools to detect Su30mki and LCA . Now if we get F16V for 60mn per plane, does it make sense to go for a domestic 4th gen aircraft. Our focus should now be on AMCA and F16V will give us the breather . Once a relationship with Pentagon and LM is established, at least some inputs can be given on different electronics technologies. the rest our scientists can do .
 

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