By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has completed the delivery of critical systems for more than 50 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). In an interview to Express, BEL chairman and managing director Anil Kumar said that during BEL’s association with various labs of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) in the last 19 years, the company has built a strong technical base to address various technological challenges of LCA avionics.
“We are providing lifetime support (30 years) for all these systems, which will get into over 50 limited series and series production Tejas fighters. All the above systems have successfully passed the stringent qualification requirements of airborne platforms and type certificates have been issued by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification,” Anil Kumar said.
He said the exclusive Strategic Business Unit (SBU) for Electronic Warfare and Avionics (EW&A) set up at BEL’s Bangalore Complex in 2006, has now matured as a key arm of the company, with a AS9100 quality standard certification to its kitty. He said the equipment and systems being supplied for LCA are manufactured at this SBU, which boats of a state-of-the-art infrastructure with anti-static layout.
Among the critical systems that went onboard LCA from SBU are: Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC), the most flight-critical and powerful LRU, Air Data Computer (ADC), Flight Control Panel, De-icing Current Sensing Unit, DFCC Interface Unit, Function Sensor Display Unit, Head Up Display and Integrally Lit Cockpit Panel.
“We have been providing support during the development phase and flight trials of avionics systems of LCA by addressing changes in design and other requirements well beyond the warranty period. Our idea was to ensure expeditious completion of all activities required for LCA’s Initial Operational Clearance,” the BEL CMD said. BEL has also invested considerably on proactive development of many avionics systems such as Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC) Mk-II, Air Data Computer (ADC) Mk-II, Universal Pylon Interface Computer (UPIC) and Radar Warner and Jammer, which has led to the improvement of system capability, reliability and cost reduction.
Though BEL has remained as an unsung hero through out the LCA programme, Anil Kumar says that the company has had a long journey in the last two decades, from starting as a contract manufacturer of LCA line replaceable units (LRUs), to emerging as a development and manufacturing partner with DRDO labs.
BEL MENU FOR TEJAS:
Flight Control Systems: Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC), the most flight-critical and powerful LRU, Air Data Computer (ADC), Levcon Air Data Computer, Flight Control Panel, De-icing Current Sensing Unit and DFCC Interface Unit.
Weapon Control Systems: Pylon Interface Box-Inboard, Pylon Interface Box-Outboard, Pylon Interface Box-Laser and Stores Interface Box.
Cockpit and Display Modules: Function Sensor Display Unit, Head Up Display, Integrally Lit Cockpit Panel, Multi-Function Keyboard, Multi-Function Rotary Switch, Engine Fuel Indicator, Get-U-Home and Bus Interface Unit.
Electronic Support Measure Systems: Radar Warning Receiver comprising of Signal Processor Unit, Control and Compatibility Unit, Switch Filter Assembly (RF Unit), Auxiliary Power Supply Unit and Antenna.
ATEs: Advanced Engineering Test Station for DFCC and other ATEs for all the above mentioned systems.
(Copyright@The New Indian Express)
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