HAL begins integration of mid-air-refueling probe on Tejas

By https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, March 12: Engineers and technicians at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) LCA-Tejas Division have begun the extremely complex integration of the aerial refueling probe on to the Tejas fighter.

During a visit to the HAL facilities, Mathrubhumi witnessed the fitment tests on the Limited Series Production-8 (LSP-8) variant of Tejas. The air-to-air probe, supplied by UK-based Cobham, is being fixed in front of the canopy and on the right side of the aircraft.

Similar to Mirage, Tejas too will have a fixed aerial refueling probe.

“The modification of LSP-8 is under progress. The structural modification for the attachment and load is under way. We also have to undertake fuel system and software modifications,” says V Sridharan, General Manager, LCA.

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Tejas LSP-8 systems as per IOC standards: ADA chief

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The limited series production (LSP-8) version of India’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, is said to have incorporated all features sought by the Indian Air Force (IAF), so that it qualifies for the initial operational clearance (IOC). Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) head P.S. Subramaniam tells Express that Tejas LSP-8, the last aircraft from the test flightline, is tailor-made as per the pilot’s needs. “All designs are final. All systems are as per the final IOC standards and have matured with the aircraft,” Subramaniam said.
He said building of LSP-8 aircraft, its first flights and subsequent tests will be the last stepping stone towards the programme entering the series production phase. The IAF has placed an initial order of 20 Tejas. The ADA boss said that LSP-8 has pressure-refueling capabilities (the entire aircraft can be filled with fuel just in 5-6 minutes as against the 30-minutes taken for gravity filling). “Tejas LSP-8 is an all-weather, day and night capability fighter and with very maintenance-friendly features. It’s an aircraft built based on the needs expressed by Test pilots,” he said.
He said the pilot-vehicle interface features supported by avionics software are excellent in LSP-8 and as desired by the users. “The new aircraft is very robust with reliable flight control system. The aircraft has good compatibility with ground support and ground-handling equipment. I can now confidentially say that all that is required for an aircraft to get inducted into the Service is built into LSP-8,” Subramaniam said.
When asked whether the induction of Tejas into the IAF will further slip, considering that the IAF pilots might come back with more requirements after the user evaluation trials, the ADA chief said: “The feedback what we are getting from the Test pilots who have flown Tejas is excellent. Every stage we had pilots closely working with us.”                   Copyright@The New Indian Express

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HAL gears up for first flight of Tejas LSP-8 | Tyagi says lines decked up for series production

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore:  The Indian Air Force's (IAF) long and frustrating wait to own the  home-grown combat fighter might be finally over with the Limited Series Production (LSP-8) version of Tejas completing two crucial engine ground runs (EGR) successfully. An elated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) chairman R K Tyagi told Express on Wednesday that his boys are working overtime to ensure that the LSP-8 hits the skies soon.

Battered by the media, bruised by IAF and butchered by desi aerospace gurus for unprecedented time and cost overruns,  Team Tejas had to face the music from all quarters, for over a decade. Tyagi, who took over the reins of HAL last year, said that LSP-8 would make its maiden flight some time in February.  “The aircraft is almost akin to the series production (SP) standard aircraft. We have upgraded the systems to incorporate the feedback from the ground/flight evaluation teams, who dealt with earlier LSP variants,” Tyagi said. It will be the 13th aircraft from the Tejas project flight-line to take to the skies, and along with LSP-7,  the IAF pilots should soon begin their much-awaited user evaluation trials.

Two preliminary EGRs of LSP-8 have been completed so far for the first time by HAL personnel and certified by National Flight Test Centre.  The aircraft is currently undergoing final system checks, to be followed by further inspections by certifying agencies. “Then we will have final ground runs, leading to low speed taxi trials (LSTT), high speed taxi trials (HSTT) and the actual first flight,” Tyagi said. “My team is really jubilant and we would soon commence the work on series production,” Tyagi added. 

He said with most of the aircraft system performance reaching almost desired level of expectation, Team Tejas in HAL would now be able to concentrate on stabilizing the production line. “The production line of Tejas at HAL has been moved to a new premises with a built-up area of around 28,000 sqm of Hangars, engineering and administrative blocks. Upgrade and augmentation of production tooling, which is expected to be 2.5 times of prototype requirements, is underway to enhance the rate of production and to expedite delivery of the aircraft,” Tyagi said. HAL promises to add more teeth to IAF by delivering 2 Squadrons of Tejas in the next five years.

Tomorrow: Features of Tejas LSP-8 | Copyright@The New Indian Express

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Tejas LSP-7 in first flight strike zone | FRRB clears the platform after 2nd HSTT | Sky party any time now

 Tejas LSP-7 undergoes final tests at HAL Airport in Bangalore.

THE BREAKING NEWS!

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The first flight of the limited series production (LSP-7) version of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is in a striking distance. Sources confirm to Express that the LSP-7 performed the crucial High-Speed Taxi Trial (HSTT) on Thursday in a nose-wheel-lift mode at about 260 kmph. A data analysis de-brief is scheduled on Friday (March 9) to check various parameters of the aircraft during the HSTT, which was the second one for LSP-7.
“If the results are absolutely encouraging, then we would have the first flight any time. The Flight Readiness Review Board has already cleared the aircraft for its maiden moment in the sky,” sources said. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) officials at Old Bangalore Airport too confirmed that the activities relating to LSP-7 have reached a critical stage with all safety precautions put on an any-time-ready mode.
On Thursday, Grp Capt Venugopal of the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC) did the HSTT, which is a pointer that he might be the chosen one to take LSP-7 for the first flight. “It is a positive step to see more platforms joining the flight-line. We need more of them so that we can divide our tasks and put the programme on a faster pace,” a source with the Aircraft System Testing Establishment of the Indian Air Force (IAF) said.
The IAF pilots from ASTE would finally begin the evaluation once the LSP-7 is ready. “The Standard of Preparation (SOP) of this aircraft is made for user evaluation trials for both flight as well as maintenance, which is the same as the SOP of the production variant. Intensified campaign of flight trials is going on for demonstrating the performance of sensors and armaments,” HAL sources said.
With LSP-7, the 12th aircraft from the project flight-line would join the Tejas party with another (LSP-8) scheduled to be rolled out in future. Express had reported earlier about a fuel leak on LSP-7, which forced the Aeronautical Development Agency(ADA)-HAL combo to ground the entire fleet. This had pushed the programme further behind the schedule by four-five months -- the time taken by designers and engineers in re-arranging the butting of fuel and hydraulic pipes to prevent them from coming in contact.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

Tracking the Tejas: LSP-5 gearing-up for first flight; lit cockpit for night flying & new com set onboard; will fly on autopilot mode for first time

LCA LSP-4 during the June 2, 2010 maiden flight. LSP-5 is now gearing up for first flight. Photo: DRDO
| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Bangalore |  India | October 28, 2010 |

India’s fifth limited-series production (LSP-5) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is ready for its first flight.

Indian sources confirm to AVIATION WEEK that a flight readiness review meeting was held recently and the LSP-5 will fly “soon,” weather permitting. LSP-4 had its first flight in June. 

“Two more high-speed taxi trials are remaining and after that we will be ready for the first flight,” says a senior official associated with the program. “It will have internal cockpit lighting for enabling night flying, with all corrections being done. We are also testing a new communication set, similar to that on the Dhruv chopper. This would again ensure commonality of inventory in the country.”

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CEMILAC set to complete Tejas' certification by Dec 27; it will signal the start of a key phase, ADA chief P.S. tells BDAJF

| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Bangalore |  India | September 14, 2010 |

India has set a Dec. 27 deadline to complete the certification process for its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)

According to P.S. Subramanyam, director for combat aircraft at the Aeronautical Development Agency, the deadline was set to make sure Tejas enters its much-awaited initial operational clearance phase. The certification process is monitored by the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification.

“We are at it, and close to 400 scientists and engineers are currently working on the certification program,” he says. “We need to consolidate all that we have done in the last 20 years and put it to the scrutiny of the certification agency. We have set ourselves a target to complete the certification process and December 27 will be a significant day for India’s military aviation program.”

Subramanyam spoke before a select group of defense correspondents during the official logo launch of the Bangalore Defense and Aerospace Journalists’ Forum.

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