Decks cleared for IOC-2 on Dec 20 in Bangalore | Most test points cleared ahead of D-Day: DRDO | SP plans on track: HAL

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas cleared a critical test point on Saturday, for its much-awaited Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-2), by firing an infrared (IR) seeking air-to-air R-73 E missile. The missile destroyed a target being towed by a pilotless target aircraft Lakshya, launched by an Indian Navy ship. The test was conducted off the coast of Goa and the flight was piloted by Gp Capt Suneet Krishna (retd), a Test pilot working with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

It was for the first time the Tejas proved its air defence role by firing a missile at a target using an onboard fire control radar, while the earlier tests were done using a helmet-mounted display (HMD) system. The test also paved the way for the IOC-2 declaration, now confirmed to be held in Bangalore on December 20. Defence Minister A K Antony will lead a power-packed delegation for the December 20 event, for which the preparations have already begun at the Old HAL airport.

K Tamilmani, Director-General (Aeronautical Systems), DRDO, told Express that the missile firing has almost closed all test points remaining in the programme, ahead of IOC-2. “The pilot took the aircraft to around 4.5 km above sea level, locked-on to the target (considered as an interceptor) and 'killed' it with pin-point precision. There are no major test points remaining and we are on track for the historic event on December 20,” Tamilmani said. The braking systems of Tejas (with maximum all-up weight) was also tested in Goa to ensure that they don't get excessively heated up, while landing.

While the programme has to go some more distance before the fighters get inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), the onus post-IOC-2 will shift towards HAL for rolling out the production version aircraft. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited chairman R K Tyagi said with the R-73 E missile firing, Tejas has proven some of its independent capabilities. “Our aim now is to aid IAF quickly with the series production (SP) aircraft so that the squadron formation takes place as planned. There is definitely excitement in the air following the Goa trials, and we are on track to get the SP version out in phases,” Tyagi said.

Sources associated with the programme said every test point demanded by the certification agencies had been met. “All queries and counter-queries were demonstrated and relevant data was brought out. No more outstation trials are remaining ahead of IOC-2 and the last bit of surprises that might arise will be dealt locally,” an official said.

For the past few months engineers, designers and Test pilots from both ADA and HAL were on their toes clearing all test parameters for IOC-2. “There has been tremendous pressure on the Tejas team with the MoD monitoring the progress on a daily basis. The defence minister was personally tracking the progress of the missile firing, which was delayed by a couple of weeks owing to logistical reasons,” the official said. The missile firing was originally planned at Jamnagar and later shifted to Goa.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

[Look out for some inspiring stories on Tarmak007 as Tejas gets closer to IOC-2.]

New Tejas series has gone live today!

DRDO chief reviews Tejas programme | QRT to beat IOC-2 deadline | ADA-HAL told to be like battlefield soldiers

So far, I have been making missiles to destroy aircraft. And, now I am focusing on technologies to make an aircraft fly the fighter way, even evading the missiles. Let me stay focused. Problems are there, but we need to overcome them. -- Dr Avinash Chander, DRDO Chief

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Dr Avinash Chander conducted a day-long review of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme on Friday. To pull out the programme out of delays, the DRDO chief has now decided to form a quick reaction team (QRT) for achieving the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-2) by September this year.
The missile man said that India’s long-awaited dream of having a desi-built fighter jet officially don the Squadron colours, is now at a striking distance. “I have not come to Bangalore with a magic wand. I wanted to see that the design agency (Aeronautical Development Agency) and the production unit (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) work closely to see that IOC-2 is achieved at the earliest. The QRT is being formed to handle all concerns without any more delays,” Avinash told Express.
Confirming that the project has entered the IOC-2 mission mode, Avinash said that HAL and ADA is left with no option but to sit together and sort out all issues across the table. “I told both teams that they will have to be like battlefield soldiers. They will have to anticipate the problems and be alert all the time. I am a strong believer in transparent action and ADA will spearhead the QRT with efficient members drawn from all constituents of Tejas project,” the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, said.
He said the idea of QRT was to ensure that no Tejas aircraft from the current test line should be idle for want of attention, a term technically called as AOG (Aircraft on Ground). He said a Chief Controller at the DRDO HQ will monitor the progress of Tejas as it achieves IOC-2. “I have decided to make available all knowledgeable resources in DRDO so that the September deadline is met,” he said.
Satisfied with the new production facilities being set up in HAL for Tejas, Avinash said the jig fixtures and documentation process are almost in place. “HAL is definitely making an effort to improve their processes. I saw a commitment from both ADA and HAL to step-up their work philosophies and approach in dealing with delays. It took 30 years for Akash Missile Systems to be inducted but today we have a work order worth Rs 30,000 crore. Technologies need to matured, and there’s no short-cut to it,” he said.
When asked about the widespread allegation and media reports that cracks have already appeared in ADA-HAL combine, the DRDO boss said: “So far, I have been making missiles to destroy aircraft. And, now I am focusing on technologies to make an aircraft fly the fighter way, even evading the missiles. Let me stay focused. Problems are there, but we need to overcome them.” 

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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Tejas completes weapon trials at Pokhran Ranges

IOC-2 completion likely by year end

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore:  Three platforms of India's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas successfully completed advanced armament trials at Pokhran Ranges.  Military sources confirm to Express that this time the focus of the trials was locked on to specific modes of releasing various weapons. The current campaign saw Tejas testing various altitude and speed combinations of 'critical nature.'

“During the just-concluded weapon trials at the forward areas of Pokhran Ranges,  practice, dumb and live bombs were released.  A laser-guided bomb (LGB) was also tested. The trials are important as the platform is now being tested for its conversion as a fighting machine from a successful flying platform,” sources said.

Different trials of sensors included testing of radio-altimeters, baro altitude, radars and laser. “Tejas' limited series production (LSP) variants LSP-2, LSP-3 and LSP-5 are part of the current campaign. All modes of weapon releases and all types of sensors were tested at various points in flight envelope. The campaign team is now heading for sea trials,” sources said. The Tejas variants flew at speeds between 900-1000 KMPH during the weapon trials, logging in total of 25 flights. In September 2011, Tejas had conducted weapon trials in Chandan and Pokhran Ranges, looked into accurate positions and target parameters. 

With all the platforms put together, the Tejas programme has to its credit 1903 flights, cloaking 1120 hours, so far.  Its makers in Bangalore will have to catch up with the lost time in the programme, especially after its Initial Operational Clearance  (IOC-1) held in January 2011. “Currently we are looking into the major segments of IOC-2. We are hopeful of completing the IOC-2 parameters by the last quarter of this year,” sources said.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

Tejas on campaign mode to complete IOC-2 missions

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has entered into an aggressive campaign mode to catch-up with the lost time, post Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-1) phase. Sources with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) tell Express that currently eight platforms of Tejas are racing towards completing the parameters of IOC-2.
“Tejas sorties have seen an all-time increase in the last one month. Currently the PV-2, PV-3, LSPs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7 are flying. All the platforms have come out of the delay and the fuel tank concerns have been addressed. The re-arranging of the butting of fuel and hydraulic pipes is perfect now. We have clocked up to 30 sorties in March and hope to up it further,” HAL sources said.
Team Tejas has lost over six months of crucial time in the flight programme during the last one year, leave alone the overall delay in the programme. The 13th and last aircraft from the Tejas development-phase flight-line (LSP-8) is scheduled to fly in June, while the 12th one flew recently.
Sources say that the Tejas would head for another round of weapon trials in May and June as part of the IOC-2 schedule. “These trials would be spread across Goa, Pokhran, Jaisalmer, Chitradurga among others. K A Muthanna, the head of National Flight Test Centre – the nodal centre for Tejas test-flying – flew the Tejas last week. This was his first flight on Tejas,” sources said.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) too is warming up to raise the Tejas Squadron (Flying Daggers). Express had earlier reported that the IAF wanted HAL-Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) combine to complete the closure of development phase at the end of IOC-2.
Plane photo politics? Sources in HAL say that the company officials have put restrictions on releasing Tejas photos and videos to media and even to Tejas work partners, including ADA. If this bit turns out to be true, then one can expect some 'photo-finish' moments in the days ahead.

Copyright@The New Indian Express 
(Starting today, limited updates on the blog till May 10)