Tejas MK-3 is it on?

Recently sources are indicating that IAF is seriously considering increasing the numbers of Tejas aircrafts, Indian air force has already committed 40 Tejas MK-1 aircrafts, along with 8 Limited serial production aircraft.

IAF had projected 5 Squadrons (100) of Tejas MK-2, but IAF is considering adding more 2 to 3 Squadrons of Tejas aircrafts in its inventory post 2020, IAF after recalculation of fleet strength and expected delays in programs like FGFA and more time given to ADA for development of AMCA, means they will be short fall of aircrafts, IAF plans to retire all Mig-21 by 2017 and will reduce it Mig-27 strength by half in 2015 and complete phase out will be done by 2020.

ADA few years back was seen keen to work on third variant of Tejas (MK-3), in cooperating 5^th generation avionics along with AESA radar. AESA radar was dropped from Tejas MK-2 since IAF and DRDO felt that it will lead to delays in the program, since radar is still in development phase; testing and production will take time. IAF is open to AESA for later variants.

AMCA which was supposed to have it first flight before 2020 will get more time for development of 5^th generation avionics and technologies, to make it a true 5^th gen fighter has demanded by its customer.

Tejas LSP-7 all set for its launch

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots will officially get a taste of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas with the 12th aircraft from the project flight-line and the seventh from the limited series production (LSP-7) block set to kiss the skies soon.
Sources told Express that the crucial engine ground run (EGR) was over and the fighter was now being put on low-speed taxi trials (LSTT). “We will do the LSTT before October 24 and the high-speed taxi trials (HSTT) after that. Finally, we will do the nose-up trial leading to the first flight,” sources said.
The aircraft is expected to do the LSTT at 150 kmph and the HSTT at 250 kmph.
Though the LSP-7 was scheduled to fly in August, the project hit an air pocket when fuel leak was noticed in one of the aircraft during taxiing. “We had to ground the entire Tejas fleet as safety was our top-most priority. We lost the months of May, June, July and August with not much of testing happening,” sources said.
Engineers had to re-arrange the butting of fuel and hydraulic pipes to avoid them coming into contact.
In the meantime, the IAF minced no words about quality concerns of Tejas user versions, putting its makers Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in a spot of bother. “HAL took too much time in absorption of changes suggested by the user. We have definite issues with the pace of the programme. Each aircraft is now taking 24 months right from the part assembly stage. Once, Tejas is inducted into the IAF, we want HAL to put in an improvised production line,” a senior Indian Air Force official said.
To iron out all the issues, a top-level Tejas review meeting was held in New Delhi this week with all the project partners in attendance.
The IAF, which has already begun the preparations for the Tejas squadron, will have to wait for some more time before taking Tejas for the user trials. The No 45 Tejas Squadron, to be based in Sulur near Coimbatore, will be known as Flying Daggers.
FIRE POWER
Team Tejas is back in Bangalore after a two-week successful weapon trials in Pokhran and Chandan ranges of Rajasthan. For the first time, three aircraft from the Tejas flight-line have dropped a laser-guided bomb (LGB), 1,000 lb bombs and practice ammunition.
The aircraft also performed a 1,200-litre drop tank release (jettison) to test the accuracy parameters. “Close to 30 flights to check improvements and accuracy of hitting the targets were performed. The LGB trail was very critical,” sources said.
The team will now head for advanced high-altitude weapon trials in Jamnagar and Leh. Sea trials will take place at INS Hansa in Goa with Russian-made R-73 air-to-air close combat missile.
THE STORY SO FAR
? First flight of Tejas TD-1: 2001
? First flight of PV-2: 2005
? First order for 20 aircraft: 2006
? Order for 20 more: 2010
? Initial Operational Clearance: 2011
? Total flights: 1,713
? Total hours: 1,000-plus
? User evaluation: Before 2012 March

SOURCE: EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

Upgraded Tejas to take off in 3 years

CHANDIGARH: An upgraded version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will be ready to take off within three years.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), along with the Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO), Chandigarh, is working on the project. Tejas' aircraft technology will put India on the fifth spot after the US, France,Russia and UK.

This was disclosed by additional general manager of HAL, Bangalore, K P Singh, who visited the CSIO laboratory on the occasion of the CSIR foundation day on Monday.

Tejas LCA has a HUD (head up display) which was developed at the CSIO at the start of the year. It has unmatchable brightness on the display board. "We will provide HUD for the upgraded version which will have better range accuracy and will be lighter as compared to the existing one. At present, we have HUD weighing 18kg," said Dr Pawan Kapur, director CSIO.

The improvised version is being devised for the Indian Navy. According to official sources, there is a requirement of over 100 such HUDs for Tejas. "Already, we have provided 36 and 90 more are in the production line," said an official at the CSIO.

Talking about the plan, Singh said, "We have been working with CSIO on LCA and intermediate jet trainer aircraft."

Though HAL is the only supplier of Tejas to the Indian defence forces, catching up with the international competitors has not been easy. "We cannot afford to lose time. There are gaps in the system which slows down the pace of technology. Though red tapism has decreased to some extent, it still exists," said Singh.

The CSIO is working on Mark 2 for intermediate jet trainer aircraft where the weight of the HUD will be 11.8kg.
Source: TOI