Tejas Titans: Tarmak Talking with superheroes of HAL's LCA Division

#TarmakTalking

CAS INTERVIEW | We will expand operational utility of Tejas: Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria

By Anantha Krishnan M

These are interesting times for the IAF. The very nature of warfare is changing rapidly, and we now have to be simultaneously effective across multiple domains and levels of warfare extending from conventional to countering sub conventional threats. We have to not only embrace emerging fifth generation technologies/ capabilities but master the emergent technologies in cyber, networking and big data to be always ahead of our adversaries in capability and thought process. The Tejas has very good capabilities and as we gain experience we will continue to expand its operational utility in IAF plans. -- Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria in an interview to Onmanorama. 

Full interview, here:  https://bit.ly/2T1jBTa

Tejas SP-21, first from FOC block taking shape at HAL

Read:  https://bit.ly/2kLSQUI

Tejas fuel tank falls in a field near Coimbatore

Read here: https://bit.ly/2JkoyQX

Tejas flies on L&T wings as HAL completes production of last IOC fighter

By Anantha Krishnan M

The last Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1 fighter from the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) block has flown out of the hangars of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

And most significantly, it (SP-16; SP stands for Series Production) flew on the wings made by Larson & Tourbo (L&T). This is a major step in HAL’s efforts to outsource Tejas parts to the private industries, in line with the Make in India mandate.

The Flying Daggers are expected to have the full quota of 16 IOC Tejas Mk1 fighters within a month. 

The front fuselage of SP-21 is in the advance stages with the mid-air refuelling probe requirement installed on it. The central fuselage too is in an advance stage and all the three fuselages are expected to be ready by end of April this year.

HAL now says SP-21 will roll out by the end of this year. The entire 16 FOC fighters will be delivered to IAF during 2019-2021 – which again accounts for eight aircraft per year.

Read full report, here: https://bit.ly/2Wn57vG

Finally, FOC for Tejas

Report here: https://bit.ly/2Vb8eq5

AMCA, India’s stealth fighter picks up momentum

By Anantha Krishnan M

Bengaluru: The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project of India has gone deep into the detail design phase now. Along with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), hundreds of scientists spread across at least 20 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs are now engrossed in critical work to find solutions to a number of gen-next technologies that need to be proven.

With the Project Definition Phase (PDP) getting over in 2017, Onmanorama can confirm that scientists have already walked some distance designing the AMCA, India’s stealth fighter.

ADA, the designers of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is spearheading the AMCA mission. 

The AMCA will be propelled by a GE-414 engine with a thrust of 90 kN and this will be an interim step by the makers till a higher thrust engine of 110 kN is finalised. The GE-414, set to power Tejas Mk-II, will power AMCA as well, till India develops a 110 kN engine possibly in collaboration with a foreign partner. 

The current plan is to fly AMCA with GE-414 engine for the first six-seven years, what the designers now term as an ‘interim engine’ for India’s 5th generation stealth platform.

While the design phase has already been sanctioned to commence activities, the final approval for AMCA from the government (Cabinet Committee of Security) is in process.

The plan is to build four prototypes and fly the first one before 2025, which is seven years from now.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is said to be working out the exact numbers for this future fighter, while the AMCA Directorate at ADA is ensuring a robust foundation for this big ticket desi project.

Full report, here: https://bit.ly/2GR8Fly

Locked on to future, AFS Sulur emerging as IAF’s key base

By Anantha Krishnan M 

Welcome to Air Force Station (AFS) Sulur! An airbase locked on to future. And, tipped as the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) most critical base in years to come. When Onmanorama visited AFS Sulur, the base was abuzz with a series of upgradation works. From runway to ATC tower to new hangars, it for a while looked like a massive stadium getting ready for a big game. And, those who have flown in know how significant this game is going to be for the IAF in the future. He said the modern infrastructure accretion that was created to house the Tejas has changed the erstwhile skyline at Sulur making its transformation markedly profound. Read full story: https://bit.ly/2RDxg3X 

HAL ramps up Tejas production; 5 more fighters to fly out by March 2019

Read: https://bit.ly/2PPI6lG

Tejas ready for auto low-speed recovery trials with FOC at striking distance

 #TejasFOCUpdate series | Part-3: https://bit.ly/2QxYsMG

Part-2: https://bit.ly/2SZVzWA
Part-1: https://bit.ly/2z15e6X
Part-4: Tomorrow on #HAL

AFS Sulur offers Flying Daggers envious environment to operate Tejas

Read the report, here: bit.ly/2SZVzWA

Flying Daggers celebrate Diwali at new base

Read here: bit.ly/2z15e6X 

Tejas clears critical hurdle with smooth air-to-air refueling

Read the report, here: bit.ly/2MliXt4 

HAL readies Tejas SP-10 for first flight

By Anantha Krishnan M

Bengaluru, July 12: The 10th series production fighter (SP-10) from Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas production line is ready. It has completed the full performance engine ground run.

Weather-permitting, the low and high speed taxi trials are lined up next leading to its first flight soon.

The SP-10 will be likely to be piloted by Air Cmde K A Muthanna (Retd) or Gp Capt K K Venugopal (Retd), both Test Pilots with the National Flight Testing Centre here.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), under immense pressure from various quarters to scale up the production rate, needs to deliver 16 aircraft to IAF this financial year.

Read full story, here: http://bit.do/Tejas-SP10 

IAF may be given Tejas controls to overcome project delays

Photo: @fotoyogi

By Anantha Krishnan M

Bengaluru, July 10: The Indian Air Force (IAF) may get the controls of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Aeronautical Development (Agency).

The decision likely to be made official by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) sooner or later is aimed at ending the blame game over the project delays, often being played out by the stake-holders of this flagship ‘Make in India’ project.

Military sources confirm to Onmanorama that the idea of IAF man being given the command and control of Tejas programme has been floating around for some time now.

Read full report here: http://bit.do/Tejas-Controls

Tejas begins the sky party at AFS Sulur

Read report here: https://bit.ly/2tO6aJm

Tejas ready to take-off from Sulur

Read the report here: https://bit.ly/2KHrN7R

Tarmak007 Talking with Dr Kota Harinarayana

Hello folks!

Welcome to #Tarmak007Talking -- a news series aiming to get you an up-close with all heroes from India's inspiring aerospace and defence sector. This is the first edition of #Tarmak007Talking and we begin with Dr Kota Harinarayana, the man widely revered as the father of India's modern fighter jet programme.

In the days ahead, we shall bring you more heroes, including unsung as well, who have toiled hard to make India a vibrant aerospace and defence power. If your organisation or CEO or a team wants to be featured in #Tarmak007Talking, do write to anantha.ak@gmail.com or ak@billionbeats.in. This interview series will be a collaborative effort and currently, it is being supported by Inspired Indian Foundation®. (www.inspiredindianfoudation.org)

The production team consists of award-winning video editors, a young research group and a professional camera crew among others. Sit back and enjoy #Tarmak007Talking!

Jai Hind!

Anantha Krishnan M

IAF, HAL end impasse over Tejas trainers

By Anantha Krishnan M

BANGALORE:  The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) seem to have arrived on a consensus to end the stalemate over Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas trainers.
Onmanorama can confirm now that IAF will have to probably wait till 2021 to get the Tejas trainer of their ‘liking.’ It means there won’t be any trainers from the first block of 20 Series Production (SP) line for now, which will be in tune with the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) standards.
As per the original agreement, four trainers were part of the IOC block and another four from the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) production line. This production plan seems to have now being tweaked with IAF wanting all trainers fitted with the air-to-air refueling (AAR) probe. IAF also says that there cannot be two types (IOC/FOC) of Tejas trainers in its fleet.HAL on its part put up a brave fight in the last one year trying to convince IAF bosses that any change at this stage would further derail their production plans. Two and fro letters flew between HAL and IAF HQ on this contentious issue. HAL even feared a production halt, if IAF stuck to its guns.All that seems to have buried now with IAF probably getting what they wanted, may be not on time, but with delays. So if you are a diehard devotee of Tejas programme, here are some updates on trainers.

• IAF will receive 16 fighters in the IOC format and another 16 in the FOC format. All these will be LCA MKI.
• In the next version of 83 aircraft which are to be built as per the LCA MK1A standards, there will be 10 trainers.
• All the 18 trainers (4+4+10) will be of LCA MK1 standards and not MK1A.
• The first SP-Trainer will be a prototype fitted with AAR probe. Based on its successful completion of trials and acceptance by IAF, another seven will be produced in the first block of 40.

Read full report, here: http://bit.do/Writetake-Tejas

#Tarmak007Talking | I would've loved to have flown in Tejas: Dr Kota

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://english.manoramaonline.com

Bangalore: Nothing much has changed in the life of Dr Kota Harinarayana, who recently turned 75. Despite age catching up at supersonic speeds, he stays fit. He travels a lot, mentoring hundreds of aeronautical scientists. His wife says Dr Kota is wedded to plane dreams.

Revered globally as the man who shaped India’s modern fighter jet mission, Dr Kota today is a satisfied man, with his pet bird – the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) – finally joining Squadron duty.

In a freewheeling interview to this writer, the man who passionately guided the Tejas project through one of the most turbulent phases said he is still dreaming and looking forward to making India a mighty power in the field of aviation and defence.

[Read the full report here | https://bit.ly/2JW5ebH]

Watch the video below