WAQAS119
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General Electric F414 and Eurojet EJ200 Under Consideration to Replace GTX-35 Engine on the Tejas LCA
08:52 GMT, April 28, 2010 NEWTOWN, Conn. | The GTX-35 appears to be on the verge of cancellation, and might be replaced by another engine on the Tejas fighter (Light Combat Aircraft). After a development program lasting over 20 years without producing a successful engine, the GTX-35 may, instead of powering an aircraft, find itself supplying power on Indian Navy vessels. In early 2008, India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had teamed with Snecma to help complete development of the Kaveri for the LCA program.
GE provided its F404-GE-IN20 engine for LCA prototypes and the initial series-production aircraft. Flight testing showed the F404 had insufficient thrust and didn't meet the design specifications, so the search for a higher thrust engine began. Two potential candidates are being considered: GE's F414 and Eurojet's EJ200. The commonality between the F404 and F414 leads us to believe it has the upper hand, as it would minimize the program delay. India's air force reportedly needs 88 Tejas fighters to be in service by 2017 to replace the large number of MiG-21s being retired. The IAF schedule calls for the Tejas to reach IOC by the end of 2010 and full capability by 2012. Needless to say, switching engines so late in the program will complicate matters and make meeting the Air Force's deployment schedule a challenge.
Forecast International expects the LCA will ultimately fly with either the F414 or EJ200.
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W. Alibrandi
08:52 GMT, April 28, 2010 NEWTOWN, Conn. | The GTX-35 appears to be on the verge of cancellation, and might be replaced by another engine on the Tejas fighter (Light Combat Aircraft). After a development program lasting over 20 years without producing a successful engine, the GTX-35 may, instead of powering an aircraft, find itself supplying power on Indian Navy vessels. In early 2008, India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had teamed with Snecma to help complete development of the Kaveri for the LCA program.
GE provided its F404-GE-IN20 engine for LCA prototypes and the initial series-production aircraft. Flight testing showed the F404 had insufficient thrust and didn't meet the design specifications, so the search for a higher thrust engine began. Two potential candidates are being considered: GE's F414 and Eurojet's EJ200. The commonality between the F404 and F414 leads us to believe it has the upper hand, as it would minimize the program delay. India's air force reportedly needs 88 Tejas fighters to be in service by 2017 to replace the large number of MiG-21s being retired. The IAF schedule calls for the Tejas to reach IOC by the end of 2010 and full capability by 2012. Needless to say, switching engines so late in the program will complicate matters and make meeting the Air Force's deployment schedule a challenge.
Forecast International expects the LCA will ultimately fly with either the F414 or EJ200.
----
W. Alibrandi