Tejas trials on war footing to beat IOC-2 deadline in December | Jamnagar trials on | Expected to fire R-73E missile

A file photo of Tejas firing R-73 during weapon trials. The aircraft is
expected to fire R-73 E missile during the ongoing Jamnagar trials.

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: Defence scientists, engineers and pilots attached to India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme are on a war footing to ensure that the fighter doesn't miss the December deadline for its Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-2). Three aircraft (LSP-3, LSP-5, LSP-8) from the Tejas flight-line are currently undertaking weapon trials in Jamnagar. The Russian-made R73-E missile will be fired during the ongoing trials.
Sources confirm to Express that the Ministry of Defence has made it clear to both Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that the IOC-2 deadline won't be extended any more. The IAF pilots will formally get to fly Tejas after the IOC-2 declaration. So far, the Tejas variants have completed 2391 sorties, clocking 1,520 hours in over 12 years.
Currently the fine tuning of the software and various onboard systems are being done during various trials. Flight trials are also progressing in Bangalore with the final version of equipment and mission systems getting a relook. “We haven't been lagging on any of the IOC-2 parameters now. We are working to clear all the test points. The results of Jamnagar trials will be crucial,” says an HAL official working with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre.
“Every weapon has to be fired at different modes, expanding the flight envelope of the aircraft. It is a huge matrix and we have to tick-mark all points ahead of the IOC-2 closure. A final review is expected next month ahead of IOC-2,” the official added.
Sources say that the Digital Flight Control Computer and Air Data Computer of Tejas have been showing hardware failures causing last-minute concerns to the engineers. “But the show must go on. Now the naval prototype of Tejas (NP1) is also ready with all its modifications and raring to go. The modified Tejas trainer (PV5) with its matured software is also ready,” an official said.
The growing differences between HAL and the Indian Air Force are a concern to New Delhi, which is bent on the programme getting the IOC-2 tag before December. The Finance Ministry's refusal to grant pension to ADA employees recently (a long-pending demand) has also created heartburn to many working on the Tejas project.
Notwithstanding the turmoils and delays the project has been facing recently, a Defence Research and Development Organisation official said December 20 has been tentatively fixed for IOC-2. “As of now that's the date floating around, and it is subject to change,” the official added.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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Shore-Based Test Facility nearing completion in Goa | NP-1 set for low-speed taxi trials in Bangalore

The above photographs are likely to be the first-time (!!) shots of SBTF at INS Hansa (Goa) made available to public domain. 

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: India’s first Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) is nearing completion. Built at the Naval Air Station, INS Hansa in Goa, the facility would replicate as a static model of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) being built at the Cochin Shipyard. The SBTF would have a 14 deg parabolic profile ski-jump for take-off and an arresting gear for landing.
Sources told Express that all stage design documents of the facility have been received from the Russian side. “The take-off area is nearing completion and the progress of arrester gear structure manufacturing and site work is on schedule. The factory acceptance test (FAT) of all five Russian specialized equipment has been completed at original equipment manufacturer (OEM) premises,” sources said.
The Russians (JSC Rosoboronexport) are executing the design consultancy and supply of specialized equipment work as per a 2009-pact, valued at $60 m. The approximate budget provision for Indian participants is about Rs 175 crore.
The equipment from Russian are expected this year, with the take-off area scheduled to be completed by June this year and landing area by the end of 2012.
The primary objective of SBTF is for certification of LCA Navy aircraft for ship-borne operations. This is the mandatory requirement prior to aircraft operations are taken up from the IAC (INS Vikrant) for carrier compatibility test (CCT). “The facility will ensure timely induction of Naval LCA (NLCA) into naval service and conserve ship-based test flying effort. Apart from the flight testing of NLCA, the SBTF can be subsequently used for training of naval pilots on NLCA and MiG 29K. The SBTF will be the one-of-its-kind facility in the South Asian region. The US and Ukraine have a similar facility.
The SBTF will be a equipped with restraining gear system with ski-jump for take-off, arresting gear system for landing, optical landing system, TV landing control system, light signaling system and other associated auxiliary units, exactly similar to the IAC.
Spearheaded by the NLCA programme office in Bangalore, the complete structural work and system integration of SBTF is being carried out by Goa Shipyard Ltd. The Civil Engineering activity is being undertaken by CCER&D (West), Pune in collaboration with R&DE (Engineers), Pune. A telemetry ground station with the state-of-the-art technology is being setup for flight operations by the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC), Bangalore.
While the SBTF work is probably ahead of the schedule, sources say that the eagerly-awaited first flight of NLCA (Naval Prototype NP-1) is on course. The platform is said to have undergone a trial for nose-wheel checks (70 km) on Valentine’s Day, while a LSTT (low-speed taxi trial) at a possible max speed of 140 km/hour is scheduled for February 18. This would be followed by a HSTT (high-speed taxi trial) at a maximum speed of 200-200 km/hour and then the subsequent first flight.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

A YEAR AFTER TEJAS IOC-1: Sulking IAF waits for India's light, but late fighter | LSP-7 first flight in 2 weeks(!!): ADA | Delays genuine: HAL

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas should have been ideally in the hands of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots by now as part of the much-awaited user trials. But, the programme has once again lived up to its now-famous reputation of being light, but late. It was exactly on January 10 last year, a sulking IAF gave the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) to Tejas with riders longer than the cables inside the aircraft! Unhappy with the platform, the IAF chose to grant Tejas only IOC-1 status, and wanted all pending concerns thrashed out.

Its designers – Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufacturers – Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) are struggling to push the last two limited series production (LSP-7 & 8) platforms into the flight-line, with many promised dates coming and going like day and night. These two aircraft are meant to be for user trials by IAF pilots.

Sources tell Express that the LSP-7 will fly in 'two weeks' with engine ground runs and low-speed taxi trials (LSTT) over. “We will have to do the high-speed taxi trials (HSTT) and then go for the first flight in two weeks' time. It's a final configuration aircraft and the integration of new systems are taking considerable time. Once the LSP-7 files, the LSP-8 too will follow suit,” ADA sources claimed.

The programme is closely monitored by the project management team from IAF and reviewed every month by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff. The IAF Chief too reviews the project once in three months in addition to regular day-to-day assessments by ADA, HAL. “To earn the complete IOC mandate, all open-ended problems need to be closed. Some are critical and time-consuming. Some more missiles need to be fired at different modes,” sources said.

IAF sources tell Express that Tejas will be granted the final IOC only when they are convinced that the aircraft is fit for Squadron flying and not for publicity shows. “There are some more weapon trials (air-to-ground) remaining. We are looking for a complete closure of development phase ahead of the final operational clearance,” sources said.

HAL defended the delays saying that they are genuine. “We have done an LSTT of LSP-7 in December and will go for another one. The fuel-leak and subsequent re-cabling are over and the LSP-7 will fly with some prototype systems. Once the IAF is convinced, we will have the same systems flying on LSP-8,” a senior HAL director said. The official said that the series production version of Tejas will be of new standards, incorporating the final configuration features.

Though the final IOC for Tejas is expected in June 2012, sources say that this could go well beyond October.

(Search 'Tejas IOC' on the blog for all previous reports.)

|Copyright@The New Indian Express|

SKY TEST: Tejas LSP-7 all set for first flight; fuel leak plugged, user trials soon

Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

BANGALORE: Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots will officially get a taste of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas with the 12th aircraft from the project flight-line and the seventh from the limited series production (LSP-7) block set to kiss the skies soon. Sources told Express that the crucial engine ground run (EGR) was over and the fighter was now being put on low-speed taxi trials (LSTT). “We will do the LSTT before October 24 and the high-speed taxi trials (HSTT) after that. Finally, we will do the nose-up trial leading to the first flight,” sources said. The aircraft is expected to do the LSTT at 150 kmph and the HSTT at 250 kmph.

Though the LSP-7 was scheduled to fly in August, the project hit an air pocket when fuel leak was noticed in one of the aircraft during taxiing. “We had to ground the entire Tejas fleet as safety was our top-most priority. We lost the months of May, June, July and August with not much of testing happening,” sources said.

(Full story in Expressbuzz)

Breaking on Tarmak007: Tejas set to bomb Pokhran & Chandan Ranges

[Updated Copy]

Much ahead of India's Festival of Lights -- Diwali -- India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is all set to do carpet bombing in Rajasthan! A high-profile team of engineers, test pilots, scientists and ground crew from ADA, HAL, NFTC and IAF have already touched down at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan for the light and sound show. As this blog goes live, the Tejas pilots have already done recce flights ahead of their crucial weapon trials -- ringing in some excitement to the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) phase.

Sources confirm to Tarmak007 that LSP-2, LSP-5, and (three platforms from the flight line) have already reached Jaisalmer and flying, after a brief stopover at Ozhar Air Force base in Nasik for refueling. "The crucial weapons trials are all set to begin now. We are planning to drop 1000 pounds and 400 pounds bombs at Chandan and Pokhran Ranges," say sources. "LSP-3 and LSP-4 were also scheduled to go earlier. But they are now being kept as a stand-by in Bangalore," sources said.

This is for the first time that Tejas would be undertaking precision bombing at a range closer to Indian border. "These are very sensitive trials. We are looking to secure accurate positions and target parameters. We will move on to Leh and then to Goa from here, later this year. There has been delays post-IOC declaration (January 10, 2011) and we hope to set the record straight from here," sources said.

Over 200 people are part of this weapon trial at Jaisalmer. Tejas had earlier undertaken weapon trials in Goa and Chitradurga.

Stay tuned for more on Jaisalmer trials...

Tech integration challenges hit LCA Navy; NP-1 set for engine ground run

By Abraham V. Kuruvilla

Close to one year after its roll out (July 6, 2010), the first prototype of India’s ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) naval variant (NP-1) is overcoming a series of technological challenges that have cropped-up during its development stage. NP-1 is a trainer version of the naval variant with tandem seating, while NP-2 will be the fighter version and single-seater.

Having missed many deadlines (which is understandable considering the complex issues involved with a naval platform), the officials now say that the much-awaited first flight would take place only in September. This too only if all the issues are ironed out.

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) P.S. Subramanyam tells Tarmak007 that the delay is mainly due to the challenges being posed by some of the new technologies during the integration stage. “We had problems related to the landing gear, arrestor hook, and LEVCONs (control surfaces which allow for better low-speed handling). This is how technology development occurs.  Now we have sorted out all major issues and have tested all naval systems. The structural coupling test has also been completed. The NP-1 is now ready for the engine ground run,” he said. 

Normally, the first flight can occur approximately six weeks after the engine ground run. “After the EGR, we will have the low and high-speed taxi trials and then the first flight. Developing the NP-2 is our next task.  Being a single-seater, the development of NP-2 will be faster,” the ADA chief said.

He said the shore-based test facility (SBTF) coming up in Goa is proceeding ‘ahead of the schedule.’ By October 2011, the take-off area will be ready and by next year (2012) the landing area too will be in place.

NP-1 is the first indigenous effort to build a complete air element for the Indian Navy. With a GE-F-404-IN20 power-plant, NP-I is designed for ski jump take off and arrested landing, with high landing loads. The platforms after NP-1 and NP-2, will be powered by the GE-F-414 engines.

(Posted by the author, a Tarmak007 intern from Madras University.

Limited updates on the blog till July.)

Tracking the Tejas: LSP-7 will fly in August: ADA chief

Tejas formation flight photo by B. Satheesh Kumar, SPO (Defence), Chennai 

By Abraham V. Kuruvilla

P.S. Subramanyam

The 7^th Limited Series Production (LSP-7) platform of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will now take to the skies in August 2011. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) head Mr P.S. Subramanyam confirmed to Tarmak007 in Bangalore on June 14 that the programme is well on track, despite the delays.

“Productionisation is a gradual process. The LSP-7 and LSP-8 aircraft will be very close to the final version, not just in terms of the design, but also in terms of how they are manufactured. As things stand now, the LSP-7 will fly in August and the LSP-8 in November,” the ADA chief said. Tejas LSP-5 first flew on November 19 2010. (LSP-6 will be an experimental vehicle specifically for high Angle of Attack. LSP-7 will be the 12th aircraft joining the Tejas flight-line, spanning over 10 years.)

ADA-HAL had earlier said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) would have the LSP-7 and LSP-8 for user evaluation trials by March 2011. In the meantime, the IAF has already begun the process of squadron formation.

Justifying the reasons for the slight delay for the last two LSPs to join the flight-line, Mr Subramanyam said: “The first phase was to show that the product was good and we have demonstrated this. Everything is performing well. Now, the focus is on creating world-class facilities for productionisation, induction, and product support. So far, we have been on a ‘suit-on-assembly mode’, fit for prototypes as the designers would often alter sub-components to maximize the performance of the aircraft.  Now that the design parameters have been proven, the programme is moving on to a type of production mode that will optimize time and cost savings.”

Assuring that the availability and serviceability of Tejas would be ‘world-class,’ the ADA chief said that it is not enough just to create a great product alone.  “The facilities for maintenance and operations –- be it the ground-handling equipment, the tools, the testers, the documentation –- all should be the best in the world. The reason why Embraer [the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer] has a great reputation is because the availability of its fleet is so high — about 80-90%. Similarly, the availability and serviceability of the LCA should be world-class and we are heading in the same direction,” he said.        

Mr Subramanyam said that a team of technicians and ground-support personnel would assist the IAF in establishing the Tejas Squadron at the Sulur Air Base (near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu). “For proper product support, personnel have to be identified and trained.  Labs and maintenance facilities have to be set up.  During the transition phase, we will be involved with all of this,” he said.

The Tejas platforms (all combined) have logged over 1,650 flights so far, clocking close to 1,000 hours. “After we cross the 1,000-hour mark, we will have a small celebration,” the ADA boss said, smiling and stroking his trademark well-trimmed beard. 

(Posted by the author, a Tarmak007 intern from Madras University.

Limited updates on the blog till July first week.)
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TV-007 low-speed taxi trials: Simply Suneet -- an upclose with Tejas' top Test pilot

Video: TV-007

 (An upclose with Gp Capt Suneet Krishna, an experienced Test pilot with India's Tejas program. An swimmer and a simpleton, Suneet has been with the program for the last 10 years. Simply Suneet is TV-007's attempt to get you some real back-room action from a top IAF pilot. This video was shot before Aero India 2011, hoping to be hosted before/during the show. Sadly, owing to tech issues, the blogger could only find a way out after the show. This is a trial run of TV-007 and real action videos will go live soon.)  

IOC for Tejas -- The Inside Story: Releasing tonight on Tarmak007