HAL Tejas | Updates, News & Discussions

[SR-91]

Dont you think having couple of 5th generation fighter would be more headache to maintain?.. i guess we are not US or China.. we have a very limited budget.. and with budget cuts going on... i dont see AMCA an option in future.... PAK-FA would be a single solution and it is equal to 180+ .. may be Tejas can be fine tuned like silent eagle..

Expect MK-3, after the induction of MK-2.

Stealth version of India's Light Combat Aircraft [LCA] Tejas, Mk. 3 on the cards - AA Me, IN

 

[sancho]

Dont you think having couple of 5th generation fighter would be more headache to maintain?.. i guess we are not US or China.. we have a very limited budget.. and with budget cuts going on... i dont see AMCA an option in future.... PAK-FA would be a single solution and it is equal to 180+ ..

Compared to what? To any 4th gen fighter, yes, but compared to a heavy class twin engined stealth FGFA? The DRDO/ADA AMCA is definitely no good option, since it needs too long and would be just another twin engine fighter. But if they change the design and work together with HAL, instead of against them and FGFA, they could benefit from FGFA and develop a smaller single engine stealth fighter. The common systems would not only reduce costs, but ease developments, which then would justify a switch from LCA to AMCA.

may be Tejas can be fine tuned like silent eagle..

Not possible, since it is a light class fighter that offers too many size or weight restrictions. The addition of CFTs with internal weapon bays, is not possible because of the gear bays that are extracting outwards. Just like the centerline station has lenght and width restrictions, which makes a weapon pod like the Silent Hornet has not possible too. So without a major re-design, you can't make a light class fighter stealthy (the Rafale or the MKI offer more potential in that regard), which would make a newly designed stealth fighter more logical.

Expect MK-3, after the induction of MK-2.

Stealth version of India's Light Combat Aircraft [LCA] Tejas, Mk. 3 on the cards - AA Me, IN

Just wishful thinking of DRDO, not more. They claimed LCA would get 5th generation capabilities only because there is a possibility to add modern touch displays in future. Just a distraction from their failures.

 

[sancho]

Decks cleared for IOC-2 on Dec 20 in Bangalore | Most test points cleared ahead of D-Day: DRDO | SP plans on track: HAL

India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas cleared a critical test point on Saturday, for its much-awaited Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-2), by firing an infrared (IR) seeking air-to-air R-73 E missile. The missile destroyed a target being towed by a pilotless target aircraft Lakshya, launched by an Indian Navy ship. The test was conducted off the coast of Goa and the flight was piloted by Gp Capt Suneet Krishna (retd), a Test pilot working with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
It was for the first time the Tejas proved its air defence role by firing a missile at a target using an onboard fire control radar, while the earlier tests were done using a helmet-mounted display (HMD) system. The test also paved the way for the IOC-2 declaration, now confirmed to be held in Bangalore on December 20. Defence Minister A K Antony will lead a power-packed delegation for the December 20 event, for which the preparations have already begun at the Old HAL airport...
...While the programme has to go some more distance before the fighters get inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), the onus post-IOC-2 will shift towards HAL for rolling out the production version aircraft. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited chairman R K Tyagi said with the R-73 E missile firing, Tejas has proven some of its independent capabilities. “Our aim now is to aid IAF quickly with the series production (SP) aircraft so that the squadron formation takes place as planned...

...“There has been tremendous pressure on the Tejas team with the MoD monitoring the progress on a daily basis. The defence minister was personally tracking the progress of the missile firing, which was delayed by a couple of weeks owing to logistical reasons,” the official said. The missile firing was originally planned at Jamnagar and later shifted to Goa.

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: Decks cleared for IOC-2 on Dec 20 in Bangalore | Most test points cleared ahead of D-Day: DRDO | SP plans on track: HAL


Well done Mr Antony, the pressure worked as it seems!

 

[Sri]

If they can put the same kind of pressure till End of 2014 for FOC then we can expect some good progress. Anyway congrats to ADA and IAF.

 

[SR-91]

Just wishful thinking of DRDO, not more. They claimed LCA would get 5th generation capabilities only because there is a possibility to add modern touch displays in future. Just a distraction from their failures.

A major re-design of LCA MK-2 would be a lot easier than designing a whole new plane. IMO, IAF will go for all three categories of Heavy, Mid and Light weight aircraft and if LCA is proven a success. Then a re-design of lca is possible,not sure how they would overcome weapons bay issue. Not to mention, higher use of composites,from the current use of 45% to over 70% and RAM coatings will def. help in bring down the RCS.

What are your thoughts?

 

[shree835]

I think the focus should be on export primarily. The IAF/IN are getting fighters in either case from other sources as well. An export will surely boost the confidence of the intended primary operators as well.

Your statement is correct , but requirement list of IAF and IN is huge...we need to full fill it first....

 

[kingdurgaking]

Compared to what? To any 4th gen fighter, yes, but compared to a heavy class twin engined stealth FGFA? The DRDO/ADA AMCA is definitely no good option, since it needs too long and would be just another twin engine fighter. But if they change the design and work together with HAL, instead of against them and FGFA, they could benefit from FGFA and develop a smaller single engine stealth fighter. The common systems would not only reduce costs, but ease developments, which then would justify a switch from LCA to AMCA.



Not possible, since it is a light class fighter that offers too many size or weight restrictions. The addition of CFTs with internal weapon bays, is not possible because of the gear bays that are extracting outwards. Just like the centerline station has lenght and width restrictions, which makes a weapon pod like the Silent Hornet has not possible too. So without a major re-design, you can't make a light class fighter stealthy (the Rafale or the MKI offer more potential in that regard), which would make a newly designed stealth fighter more logical.



Just wishful thinking of DRDO, not more. They claimed LCA would get 5th generation capabilities only because there is a possibility to add modern touch displays in future. Just a distraction from their failures.

yes it would be a major re design of tejas... what do you think ?? am i adding small changes to make it silent eagle.. this is as good as what has happened to F-15.. this would be more valuable than AMCA... if IAF is planning to buy medium twin engine 5th generation fighter then looking at AMCA and developing subsystem is fine... else i think it is waste of resource... instead we need to incorporate the same in tejas..

Expect MK-3, after the induction of MK-2.

Stealth version of India's Light Combat Aircraft [LCA] Tejas, Mk. 3 on the cards - AA Me, IN

This will be something like silent eagle.. not a full fledged stealth fighter

 

[shree835]

If the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has taken decades for completion, it is now in a record-breaking sprint to the finish line. The Tejas has flown an unprecedented 450 test flights this year towards a splashy ceremony in Bangalore scheduled for December 20, where Defence Minister A K Antony will preside over its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

That landmark event will be the award of the Tejas' Initial Operational Certificate (IOC), which will allow the country's first indigenous modern fighter to be flown by regular pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The first Tejas squadron (18-20 fighters) will be based at Sulur, near Coimbatore.

So far, only highly qualified test pilots of the National Flight Testing Centre (NFTC) in Bangalore have flown the Tejas. In the 2,400 test flights since it took to the air in 2001, the NFTC has incrementally flown the Tejas higher, faster and carried out increasingly difficult manoeuvres and weapon firings to test it meets the IAF's requirements.

On Saturday, Group Captain Suneet Verma, a veteran NFTC test pilot, fired an air-to-air missile from the Tejas at an airborne target off the Goa coast, striking the target and taking the Tejas a step closer towards IOC.

While awarding the IOC, Antony will ceremonially hand over to the IAF boss, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, the fighter's "Release to Service Document (RSD)", which specifies the capabilities the Tejas has already demonstrated during flight testing.

This includes aerodynamic capabilities like speed, acceleration, climb rate and angle of attack; and also the basic weapons operations already tested on the Tejas, and the fighter's proven radar and sensor capabilities. The Tejas flight-testing programme has been a prolonged and painstaking exercise, since this is India's first modern fighter. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) - a special purpose vehicle of the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO), set up to manage the Tejas programme - worried that a crash during flight-testing might be a fatal blow to the project itself, and so has handled flight testing cautiously, taking twice the time that experienced countries do.

Once the IOC is awarded, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will build the IAF's first 20 Tejas fighters on a brand new production line in Bangalore. HAL has told Business Standard that it aims to roll out the first two fighters by March 2014, deliver eight fighters by end-2014, and then enhance the production line's capability to 16 fighters a year.

So far, the IAF has committed to just 40 Tejas fighters. Of these, 20 will be built to IOC standards, and the next 20 ordered when Final Operation Clearance (FOC) is obtained. The defence minister has ordered the DRDO to ensure the FOC is not delayed beyond end-2014.

Avinash Chander, the DRDO chief, tells Business Standard the FOC will involve firing a range of different weapons, including missiles and bombs, and testing the fighter for mid-air refuelling.

"With the IAF now enthused about the Tejas, and participating actively in the project, we will surely obtain FOC next year. We could not have completed over 450 test flights this year without close cooperation between the IAF, ADA and HAL," says Chander.

After obtaining FOC for the Tejas, ADA will start work on the Tejas Mark II. The key change is replacing the General Electric F-404 engine that powers the Mark I with the larger, more powerful GE F-414 engine. This will involve re-engineering the Mark I to fit in the bulkier F-414, a technological challenge for ADA.

ADA has also briefed Business Standard that the Tejas Mark II would have more fuel capacity for added range; a retractable mid-air refuelling system; a DRDO-built Airborne Electronically Scanned Array radar; world beating air-to-air missiles; an on-board oxygen-generating system, and a state-of-the-art Electronic Warfare suite to confuse enemy radars and sensors. "Eventually, the IAF is very likely to have at least 200 Tejas fighters in its fleet," says Chander.

Tejas LCA sprints towards IAF's frontline squadron | Business Standard

 

[anup]

If the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has taken decades for completion, it is now in a record-breaking sprint to the finish line. The Tejas has flown an unprecedented 450 test flights this year towards a splashy ceremony in Bangalore scheduled for December 20, where Defence Minister A K Antony will preside over its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

That landmark event will be the award of the Tejas’ Initial Operational Certificate (IOC), which will allow the country’s first indigenous modern fighter to be flown by regular pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The first Tejas squadron (18-20 fighters) will be based at Sulur, near Coimbatore.

So far, only highly qualified test pilots of the National Flight Testing Centre (NFTC) in Bangalore have flown the Tejas. In the 2,400 test flights since it took to the air in 2001, the NFTC has incrementally flown the Tejas higher, faster and carried out increasingly difficult manoeuvres and weapon firings to test it meets the IAF’s requirements.

On Saturday, Group Captain Suneet Verma, a veteran NFTC test pilot, fired an air-to-air missile from the Tejas at an airborne target off the Goa coast, striking the target and taking the Tejas a step closer towards IOC.

While awarding the IOC, Antony will ceremonially hand over to the IAF boss, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, the fighter’s “Release to Service Document (RSD)”, which specifies the capabilities the Tejas has already demonstrated during flight testing.

This includes aerodynamic capabilities like speed, acceleration, climb rate and angle of attack; and also the basic weapons operations already tested on the Tejas, and the fighter’s proven radar and sensor capabilities. The Tejas flight-testing programme has been a prolonged and painstaking exercise, since this is India’s first modern fighter. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) – a special purpose vehicle of the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO), set up to manage the Tejas programme – worried that a crash during flight-testing might be a fatal blow to the project itself, and so has handled flight testing cautiously, taking twice the time that experienced countries do.

Once the IOC is awarded, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will build the IAF’s first 20 Tejas fighters on a brand new production line in Bangalore. HAL has told Business Standard that it aims to roll out the first two fighters by March 2014, deliver eight fighters by end-2014, and then enhance the production line’s capability to 16 fighters a year.

So far, the IAF has committed to just 40 Tejas fighters. Of these, 20 will be built to IOC standards, and the next 20 ordered when Final Operation Clearance (FOC) is obtained. The defence minister has ordered the DRDO to ensure the FOC is not delayed beyond end-2014.

Avinash Chander, the DRDO chief, tells Business Standard the FOC will involve firing a range of different weapons, including missiles and bombs, and testing the fighter for mid-air refuelling.

“With the IAF now enthused about the Tejas, and participating actively in the project, we will surely obtain FOC next year. We could not have completed over 450 test flights this year without close cooperation between the IAF, ADA and HAL,” says Chander.

After obtaining FOC for the Tejas, ADA will start work on the Tejas Mark II. The key change is replacing the General Electric F-404 engine that powers the Mark I with the larger, more powerful GE F-414 engine. This will involve re-engineering the Mark I to fit in the bulkier F-414, a technological challenge for ADA.

ADA has also briefed Business Standard that the Tejas Mark II would have more fuel capacity for added range; a retractable mid-air refuelling system; a DRDO-built Airborne Electronically Scanned Array radar; world beating air-to-air missiles; an on-board oxygen-generating system, and a state-of-the-art Electronic Warfare suite to confuse enemy radars and sensors. “Eventually, the IAF is very likely to have at least 200 Tejas fighters in its fleet,” says Chander

Idrw.com

 

[acetophenol]

16 a year isn't bad,that means we can have "Flying Daggers" fully equiped by 2015 beginning. But one has to wait and see if HAL will really pull it off,else A.K.Antony will have to spank HAL in as$ too!

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

ADA has also briefed Business Standard that the Tejas Mark II would have more fuel capacity for added range; a retractable mid-air refuelling system; a DRDO-built Airborne Electronically Scanned Array radar; world beating air-to-air missiles; an on-board oxygen-generating system, and a state-of-the-art Electronic Warfare suite to confuse enemy radars and sensors. “Eventually, the IAF is very likely to have at least 200 Tejas fighters in its fleet,” says Chander

Idrw.com

I rolled my eyes when saw this.

 

[adwityagrata]

I rolled my eyes when saw this.

Thank you for sharing your personal reaction. I farted after reading your comment too.

 

[IND151]

Compared to what? To any 4th gen fighter, yes, but compared to a heavy class twin engined stealth FGFA? The DRDO/ADA AMCA is definitely no good option, since it needs too long and would be just another twin engine fighter. But if they change the design and work together with HAL, instead of against them and FGFA, they could benefit from FGFA and develop a smaller single engine stealth fighter. The common systems would not only reduce costs, but ease developments, which then would justify a switch from LCA to AMCA.



Not possible, since it is a light class fighter that offers too many size or weight restrictions. The addition of CFTs with internal weapon bays, is not possible because of the gear bays that are extracting outwards. Just like the centerline station has lenght and width restrictions, which makes a weapon pod like the Silent Hornet has not possible too. So without a major re-design, you can't make a light class fighter stealthy (the Rafale or the MKI offer more potential in that regard), which would make a newly designed stealth fighter more logical.



Just wishful thinking of DRDO, not more. They claimed LCA would get 5th generation capabilities only because there is a possibility to add modern touch displays in future. Just a distraction from their failures.

A single engine AMCA is really good idea.

It would be even better if it shares power plant with FGFA.

The other idea is develop medium sized but twin engine AMCA in JV with Dassault.

The power plant should be based on M-88 2 producing thrust of 11,000 KG.

 

[Ahmad Masood]

Finally, the long wait is over. Congratulations to all Indian members.

 

[HariPrasad]

Just wishful thinking of DRDO, not more. They claimed LCA would get 5th generation capabilities only because there is a possibility to add modern touch displays in future. Just a distraction from their failures.

I have never heard of that. Pl provide the source. DRDO at the most would state that LCA will have some features of 5th generation aircraft. It is very much possibel because the stuff used in FGFA may be used in Tejas.

It would be even better if it shares power plant with FGFA.

FAGFA power plant is too poerfull for aircraft like AMCA. It can not be used else AMCA will start behaving like a missile.