DRDO adds one more desi component to Tejas; DEBEL's ILSS will now aid pilots

OBOGS-centric ILSS schematic diagram: Courtesy: DEBEL

| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Bangalore |  India | November 12, 2010 |

The Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed an Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for fighter aircraft pilots, potentially adding India to a group of nations owning such technology. DRDO’s Bengaluru-based Defense Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (Debel), which developed the ILSS,delivered the documents to Tejas program chief P.S. Subramanyam recently for fit and further trials.

“An ILSS for fighter aircraft is a state-of-the-art technology that enables a fighter pilot to venture to the limits of the aircraft capability in terms of flight altitudes and g-forces. This technology had until now been the hallmark of the few highly advanced countries. The first batch of ILSS will go into Tejas aircraft,” Debel Director V.C. Padaki tells Aviation Week.

In addition to Tejas, the ILSS can also be customized to the needs of MiG-29, Su-30 and Mirage 2000. The system helps protect pilots against the extremes of altitudes and severe g forces imposed during aerial combats, as well as providing for breathing 100% oxygen in the case of ejection from aircraft.

Tejas chief P.S. Subramanyam says that the system has come at the right time when the program is entering a crucial phase. “With the Dec. 27 deadline set for release to service of Tejas and so much of activities hovering around it, the ILSS has added yet another indigenous element to the Tejas program,” Subramanyam says.

(This is a backlog update from AW to the blog)

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