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| Image Credits-Wikipedia |
I am back to blogging after nearly eight months. Many things have happened in the time frame. Perhaps the most interesting is the evolution of the LCA Tejas, India's indigenous combat aircraft program. Perhaps of all the combat aircraft, perhaps Tejas is the closest to my heart as an Indian as it is an indigenous product.
Tejas was initiated as project LCA with the intention not only to find a replacement for the venerable Mig-21 but also as a project for the establishment of the entire eco-system for the development and manufacture of a combat aircraft. It was also envisaged as the stepping stone for the development of a whole new and advanced technologies for the manufacture of avionics and weapon systems. But like many of the countries like Sweden, India had to rely on OEM's for certain products that India could not master, the most important being the engine. Even though Kaveri engine project was initiated, it was decoupled from the main project as the engine did not receive necessary thrust. Now the developers have opted for the GE-404 engine for the Tejas. Now many people may say that the Tejas is late by any standards as it is now only joining the IAF fleet when the rest of the world is moving into the 5'th Generation aircraft. But what many do not understand is the fact that the Tejas is instrumental in the development of the entire eco-system for aircraft development and production that is invaluable for India.
The development cycle for Tejas was long. Tejas Mark-1 achieved initial operation clearance and joined the No-45, Flying Daggers Squadron of the IAF. Tejas achieved final operation clearance and the second squadron is in the process of being raised. Tejas has also got high praise from the IAF for it's reliability and safety with a zero crash rate. Tejas also incorporates a high content of composite materials that increase the stealth of the aircraft. It has also done exceptionally well in the air exercises. But IAF wanted some modifications in the Tejas Mark-1 which has been taken up internally by HAL and the modified aircraft will be known as Mark-1A. This will include AESA radar and several other modifications.
Meanwhile, the Indian Airforce has indicated for a requirement for a heavier Tejas with a bigger engine and greater range and payload capacity.
MWF/TEJAS MARK-2
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| Medium Weight Fighter, MWF (Image credits- Quora) |
To fulfil the requirement of the IAF to replace it's ageing fleet of The Sepecat Jaguars, MIG- 29 UPG and The Mirages, ADA planned an upgraded version of the Tejas with a heavier engine and more modern and indigenous avionics, sensor and weapons suite. They initially planned to add a plug to the Tejas to elongate it's body. But later on it was decided to go for a new design taking on the cues from the Tejas. It was redesignated as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF). MWF will have greater indigenous content including radar, electronic warfare suite and will also carry a mix of indigenous and foreign weapon suites. The engine will be the GE-F414INS6 which will generate greater power than the earlier GE- F404 engine. Tejas and all it's variants are expected to be the backbone of the IAF for the next four decades with over 12 squadrons of MWF itself being planned to be inducted. The first flight will take place in 2023 and will enter squadron service by 2026/27.
TWIN ENGINE DECK BASED FIGHTER (TEDBF)
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| TEDBF ( Credits- You Tube) |
The Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is a twin-engine variant of the Tejas under development for the Indian Navy for carrier operations. The Indian Navy was never convinced about inducting single-engine aircraft for carrier operations. They rejected the Naval Tejas Mark-1 as also severely underpowered. The naval variant of MWF was also rejected. Thus ADA initiated a twin-engine project on the experience achieved on the Tejas project for carrier ops. India has already mastered the indigenous carrier operations technology having successfully carried out landing and takeoff of the Naval Tejas from INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier. TEDBF will be 23 tonnes in weight and will eventually replace the navy's fleet of MIG-29K's which has a troubling history of high unreliability. MIG-29K's will be replaced by 2030. TEDBF will also have GE-F414 engine and will also carry high content of indigenous suites.
India has now reached a stage wherein the technology and expertise has matured to such an extent that India has gained the confidence to design and manufacture any type of combat aircraft. It was a hard work of two decades that is now paying off. India joins the select league of nations having such a capability.
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