Parthsarathi's Articles

Light Combat Aircraft – Tejas

India’s second indigenous combat aircraft, LCA or Light Combat Aircraft, is set out to replace the MiG-21 series of the fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force. The prototype which took off on its first flight in January 2001 is the world’s smallest and lightest multi-role combat aircraft. The design of this supersonic single-seat fighter features short take off and landing, adding performance to maintainability with its delta wing design. A significant characteristic is the absence of any tailplanes or foreplanes but only a single vertical fin, meaning that the LCA features highly advanced flight stability systems. Its   structure is made mostly of Aluminum-Lithium alloys along with titanium and carbon-fibre composites.

Five hundred Line Replaceable Units ensures maintainability, and all major systems and features are being tested to ensure performance and safety. The official flight test program will begin in 2001. The LCA is to be powered by the GTX-35VS or Kaveri engine which is an augmented turbofan design.  This project is under the Department of Defense Research and Development Organization, with principle partner Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, but several national teams and international manufacturers are also working towards the LCA’s development.

These various collaborations have given the LCA state of the art technologies including Fly by wire Flight control system, advanced digital cockpit along with Multi-Mode radar and various other advanced avionics systems. With these advanced avionics along with the hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) and heads up display (HUD), the pilot’s workload is greatly reduced. The armament on board, controlled by an autonomous targeting system, ensures the LCA always stays a step ahead when it comes to modern warfare. The LCA’s eyes and ears comprise of the laser designator pod (LDP), forward looking infra-red (FLIR) and various other devices that recognize and target hostile bodies. All these complex systems are accessible to the pilot through a simple multifunction keyboard and sensor selection panels.

The brain of the LCA is a digital flight control computer or DFCC, built around 32 bit microprocessors coupled with a failsafe digital fly by wire (FBW) system. The software to be implemented is based on the ADA language and features an advanced electronic warfare suite, further enhancing air superiority. This computer receives sensory information as well as feedback from the various flight control systems. Since the LCA’s flight systems are all electronic, the DFCC’s improved signal processing technology reduces error significantly. The key determinant of effectiveness of the LCA will be based on the MMR; as a signal processor its main duty is to track, scan and identify the enemy. The system has been developed keeping processing speed and targeting priority in mind.

After all the various systems and subsystems were put through rigorous testing, the first prototype rolled out in November 1995. However, the Kaveri engine did not achieve the required thrust to weight ratio till 1999. The LCA, expected to be commissioned by the Indian Air Force between 2003-2005 is going to serve as the frontline tactical fighter plane through the year 2020. This 13.20m (length) by 8.20m(wing span) aircraft, bearing GSh-24 twin-barrel 23mm cannon and 7 hardpoints for various missiles, is expected to roll out of assembly lines in Bangalore estimated at 21 million USD a piece.

References:

Julien, Lemoine. “India.” Fighter Planes, 1960-2002. 138-41.

FIGHTER PLANES and MILITARY AIRCRAFT (pictures and information). 26 Jan. 2009 <http://www.fighter-planes.com/jetlink.htm.>.

FIGHTER PLANES and MILITARY AIRCRAFT (pictures and information). 26 Jan. 2009 <http://www.fighter-planes.com>.

Aerospaceweb.org | Reference for Aviation, Space, Design, and Engineering. 26 Jan. 2009 <http://www.aerospaceweb.org>.