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ACIG Exclusives
Chapter 13 : The Tejas |
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| Although there was no actual LCA prototype on static display, a mockup of the production standard variant and a regular flying display were included. A bold claim to have the fourth prototype and production variant, PV-2 (KH-2004) flying at the show, did not hold good although no one really expected the aircraft, given that it hadn't even flown yet. AI is the only opportunity to showcase the aircraft to the public and the exhibitors did achieve their goal of impressing the former. | |
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The second LCA prototype TD-2 (KH-2002) flies in from HAL airport for the aerial display. The aircraft has been cleverly painted to reflect the Indian tricolor but care has been taken to avoid the central "chakra" (wheel), so as to not violate a newly passed rule that bans the imitation of the national flag. The aircraft did not fly on one occasion where it was performing for the prime minister, who was visiting HAL at the time, which was perhaps inappropriate timing. |
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The aircraft displays it's excellent agility through some of the most impressive aerobatics seen at the show, including a 'vertical charlie' at the start. The high speed maneuverability, handling and quick response, made it more impressive than others. The production standard variants with considerably lower overall weight, should be even better. While the current g-limit was 4.5/5 g, software upgrades in two further phases will take the load factors at 6 g and 8.5/9 g respectively. Studies are also on, concerning a stretched LCA variant! |
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The Tejas flew faster and higher than other aircraft, making for a difficult catch. The next major development, besides the flight of PV-2, will be the operationalisation of the IFR probe on the prototypes. PV-2 will also switch to mockup R-73Es which will replace the lighter R-60'esque mockups currently carried on the outboard pylons of other prototypes. |
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A full scale mockup of the production standard LCA in its estimated combat camouflage scheme. While this setup is supposed to reflect PV-2, higher up sources indicate that the latter would adorn the same overall-white scheme as worn by the other three prototypes while other sources say otherwise. The serial number "KH-200X", certainly offers no additional clues. At some angles, resemblance to the SAAB Gripen is strong. The color is not the IAF-standard low-viz gray but does look much better. |
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The mockup is accurate down to RWR fairing on the tail. Whether this makes up for the lack of an actual prototype on static display, as exhibited 2 years ago, is a subjective question. For whatever reason, the mockup didn't attract a flood of people, which was good as far the photographer was concerned. The "TEJAS" lettering on the nose, was first painted on TD-2, but now seems to have become standard artwork. Note the extremely recessed carriage of the 800 liter drop tank. |
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The mockup is depicted with a loadout of Astra BVRAAMs and R-73E WVRAAMs, both mounted on oversize pylon interfaces. It is not known if the Astra's design evolved to what is seen here or whether it was a mere inaccuracy on the fabricator's part. Either way, this is one of the better looking AAM designs ever seen, with the fins being placed well forward and the body thickness varying over the length. |
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A scale model with the same scheme was on display at the ADA stall. As before there was also an N-LCA model, but this time with a telescopic undercarriage. The earlier scale models seem to have wound up as displays on the ADA and ASTE campuses. |
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The scale model is depicted with an air-to-ground / PGM loadout. These scale models aren't merely for display and do have some worth for technical study. For the development phases of the programme, the Tarang Mk.II RWR and Tempest SPJ, have been chosen for the ESM/EW part. |
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The engineering model of the LCA's Multi-Mode-Radar (MMR), complete with IFF dipoles. The digital signals processor (DSP) and radar computer are not separate and have been integrated into a single, larger LRU. The antenna is 650 mm wide, larger than the Phazotron Zhuk-ME's 624 mm antenna, although it certainly doesn't look it at first glance. AUW of the entire set is just 130 kg. |
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A rather improved exhibit of the the Kaveri engine, intended to power the LCA at later stages. Flight certification is only expected around the time the LCA completes FOC. As with other parts of the LCA programme, GTRE has used CFD codes to analyze flow in the compressor, combustor, bypass ducts, afterburner etc. |
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The actual 'Hack' never came and this rather inaccurate motorised, rotating scale model had to make do. The nose-cone is disfigured and the the stripe colors are also wrong. The latter should be blue-red-blue. Looks like they started with that but decided to eventually switch to a tricolor. |
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The cutaway shows the onboard consoles, LRUs and equipment operators. The main equipment onboard, are the LCA's MMR, INS/GPS (from Sagem), MFD hardware, datalink and INCOM. The aircraft is a 748M freighter variant but the endurance is only over 5 hours, possibly due to the additional payload. Scope of flight testing also includes Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) testing. |
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Cockpit instruments from the LCA - 5x5 inch MFD (Elbit), 3x3 inch Smart Standby Display Unit (ADA) and the Upfront control panel of the HUD. The latter will debut in PV-2, the TDs and PV-1 using a Multifunction Keyboard (MFK), developed by BEL. The Voice Recognition System for the LCA has been developed by the Crew Station Technologies division of ADE. It uses a training mode for speech capture, storage, speech feature vector and reference pattern extraction. In the recognition mode, dynamic DTW algorithms are used to match vectors from input speech with the stored patterns. |
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The SIVA is an externally carried phased interferometry ESM system that works in conjunction with the onboard RWR for very high accuracy DF of emitters up to an accuracy of ±1°. The pod weighs 100 kg, is 2.24 m long and 0.406 m in diameter. On the first day, the pod was labeled HADF (High Accuracy Direction Finding) but later embraced a sticker over the lettering that read 'SIVA pod'. |
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A model of the Hawk Mk.132 in IAF colors, for the first time. The standard low-viz gray seems rather plain and dull for this type and a more colorful scheme should be used for the trainers, although the Hawks may be called on to perform regular combat sorties. The Hawk Mk.132 is to be license produced at HAL Banglore, at newly built complexes. |
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