Last phase of Tejas sea trials ahead of IOC; text-book launch of R-73: PS

COUNTDOWN BEGINS:
JUST 26 DAYS MORE

India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) moved one step closer to its much-awaited initial operational clearance (IOC) when a limited series production (LSP-4) platform fired a Russian-made R-73 air-to-air close combat missile at INS Hansa in Goa on Nov. 30. Tejas Program Director P.S. Subramaniam tells Tarmak007 that LSP-4 flew at 12 km. (7.5 mi.) altitude and reached Mach 0.7. “The missile [separated] from the platform as per the textbook prescription and there was no plume effect on the engine,” he says. “This is the first time a Tejas platform flew with a missile and later fired in the IOC-standard avionics system. The pilots also tested Tejas on a side-slip mode.”This could be the last phase of sea trials in Goa, ahead of IOC. The team is expected to perform drop tank separations in the next few days. The Indian Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) says the one of the main objectives of the current phase of flight trials is clearing the firing envelope of the missile from the Tejas.“The very fact that the missile was integrated and tested on an Indian platform without the participation of the OEM [Russia], shows the strength of India in handling such complex technologies. It is significant for all of us,” Subramaniam says.Team Tejas is fast approaching the December deadline to finish formalities ahead of attaining the program’s Release to Service standards.

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Breaking on Tarmak007: Tejas test fires R-73 close combat missile

Latest photos from Tejas sea trials in Goa.

(Press Release)

As a run up to the impending achieving of IOC and release to service, a Tejas detachment has been operating from INS Hansa in Goa, conducting the last phase of flight trials. One of the main objectives of the current phase of flight trials was clearing the firing envelope of air to air close combat missile from the Tejas.  The R-73 missile, which is the chosen air to air close combat missile for the Tejas.  The missile is integrated with the on-board Digital Stores Management System (SMS) and Open Architecture Mission and Display Computer. The missile selection is performed from the high resolution Multi Function Display (MFD) pages integrated with the state of the art on-board avionics.  All these equipments form the IOC standard of Avionics.

The test firing was done from the Tejas LSP-4 aircraft, piloted by Gp Capt. George Thomas, Group Director (Flight Test Operations) of the National Flight Test Centre, ADA. The test aircraft was accompanied by a chase Tejas piloted by Gp Capt Suneet Krishna. This critical test was closely monitored and controlled by the Test Director Wg Cdr Toffeen, supported by the safety pilot, Gp Capt (Retd) RR Tyagi, from the mobile telemetry positioned at the test location. The data and video from the test aircraft were also available at the base station in Bangalore through a dedicated fibre optic link set up for this purpose.

This flight test demonstrated the following important requirements of the user:
a)  Safe separation of the missile from the test aircraft.
b) No Missile plume effect on the engine operation.
c) Avionics and Weapon system functionality and safety interlocks.
d)   Aircraft Handling quality assessment during missile release.
e)   Effect of missile plume on the composite structure.

More firings of the missile are planned during the current week leading to CCM firing envelope clearance for the Tejas. The composite team of ADA, HAL, NAL and ADE designers is involved in the planning of the subsequent firing tests. The aircraft are being supported outstation by a composite HAL and IAF team with DGAQA and CEMILAC personnel. The result of this critical test has added yet another feather on the cap of ‘Team Tejas’ and the entire team is looking forward to the successful completion of the balance tasks.

Diwali in Dabolim: Team Tejas ready for fireworks in Goa; drop tank separation, missile test on cards

| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Bangalore |  India | November 29, 2010 |

India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is ready to undergo another round of crucial sea trials in Goa. Sources tell AVIATION WEEK that this time the testing will involve the firing of a missile and the jettisoning of a drop tank. The trials are set to take place this week at Naval Air Station Hansa, Dabolim, in Goa. Tejas successfully completed earlier sea trials in September as part of its Out of Station Flight Test Plan.

Pilots from the Bengaluru-based National Flight Test Center will perform the weapon trials this time. In addition to firing a Russian-made R-73 air-to-air missile, the pilots are scheduled to test the safe drop tank separation from the aircraft. Tejas can carry 5,000 liters of fuel, including 1,200 each in drop tanks [and] 2,400 in wings and fuselage. It can also carry two outboard R-73 missiles and two mid-board beyond visual range (BVR) Derby missiles from Israel.

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