LCA Mk.I (FOC) (SP-21) (Photo: Deb Rana)
13 January 2021 witnessed a landmark moment when the CCS approved procurement of an additional 83 indigenous LCA fighter aircraft.
In late 1983, the Light Combat Aircraft programme was launched as an indigenous effort to develop a fourth generation combat aircraft to meet future requirements of the Indian Air Force. The programme was the responsibility of the newly formed Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with HAL’s Aircraft Research & Design Center (ARDC). The LCA prototype made its maiden flight when TD 1 (KH2001) piloted by Wg Cdr Rajiv Kothiyal flew from Bangalore on 4 January 2001. The former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee later named the LCA as Tejas (Radiance). A decade later, the LCA (LSP-4) achieved Initial Operating Clearance (IOC), making its maiden flight in June 2010. The LCA programme has proceeded apace and currently there are two squadrons of the Tejas in service with the IAF No. 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) at AFS Sulur was declared active on 1 July 2016, while No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets) got its first Tejas on 27 May 2020. Of the initial order of 40 LCA, 16 each are of IOC and FOC standard while the rest are twin-seater.
Line up of LCA Mk.1 (IOC) at AFS Sular (Photo: Manorama/PTI)
LCA Mk.1 FOC (SP-21) conducted its first flight on 16 March 2020. The most easily observable additional feature of the FOC variant is its air-to-air refueling probe. The FOC standard has additional fuel carrying capability. While the LCA IOC carries 2350 kg fuel carrying capability of IOC variant with its external drop tanks of 1200 and 800 liters capacity, Tejas FOC has an additional 725 litres center line drop tank with pressure refueling. The LCA FOC will be equipped with one Derby or Astra BVRAAM as well as ASRAAM or R-73E for close range air combat, and the GSH 23 mm twin barreled cannon will be integral.
LCA Mk. 1A
Tejas Mk. 1A is a further modification of the basic Tejas and will have 43 ‘improvements’ over the current platform. Some of these are:
Open Architecture Mission Systems for seamless net centric operation through software defined radio, 3D , vector, full colour satellite map modes
Active Electron Scanned Array (AESA) radar: Low Probability of Intercept (LPI), the AESA radar provides extended air to air track ranges for launching BVRAAMs even in interleaved modes on multiple targets which can be clearly identified, utilising advanced NCTR mode and integrated Interrogator/Transponder. There is a new generation AESA-based jamming system with higher effective radiated power (ERP) through directional noise, directed deception and hybridized jamming techniques. According to public reports, some of the initial LCA Mk.1AS will be equipped with the Israeli-origin ELTA 2052 while later models will get the indigenously developed Uttam.
Digital Wideband Radar Warning Receiver: Multi-channel digital receivers with instantaneous tracking & identification of emitters in the entire frequency band, deeply integrated with passive modes of AESA radar and AESA jammer
New Generation Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS): Wide envelope Helmet Mounted Display System with fully integrated air-to-air and air-to-ground modes; enhanced trackers with strap-on Inertial sensors provide maintenance free, high accuracy operations. First flight of the first Tejas Mk.1A is projected around 2023. The Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the Prime Minister approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft at the cost of Rs. 45,696 crore along with Design and Development of Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs.1,202 crore.
LCA Mk.2 or MWF (Medium Weight Fighter)
The LCA Mk. 2 is further development of the Mk.1 being an attempt to develop a platform of medium category with advanced features. The former CAS ACM Birender Singh Dhanoa said in 2018, “We’re looking at 12 squadrons of the Light Combat Aircraft Mk.2”. However, his successor ACM RKS Bhadauria has stated “In the long run, the IAF will have 40+83 Tejas Mk I/IA and around six squadrons of Tejas Mk II. Eventually, we aim to boost our capabilities with the fifth generation plus AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)”. According to latest reports 170 Mk.2 version is being considered. We now examine some features of the Mk.II on how this compares with the LCA Mk. 1A in terms of capability:
Addition of Canards: The most distinctive feature of the LCA Mk.2 is addition of close coupled canards, positioned below the avionics bay cover, just behind the cockpit, above the wing plane and below the avionics bay cover. These are set at a negative dihedral angle, the addition significantly increasing lift produced by the wing and augmenting lift act as air brakes to reduce landing roll, stabilise the wing LE vortices for medium to high angle of attack and to help achieve better area ruling for reduced wave drag.
Longer Fuselage: The Mk.II will have a longer fuselage than the Tejas Mk.1A, length of the fuselage increased to 14.6m. The increased internal volume is to facilitate carrying of additional systems with more internal fuel, this increase range, endurance and enhancing performances.
Leading Edge Root Extension: LERX will have a positive impact on the wing aerodynamics stability.
New AESA: Expected to be equipped with indigenous Uttam AESA.
Stealth: To decrease the radar cross section (RCS) several measures have been taken. Carbon composites of the airframe will decrease the RCS as also paint coating with Radar Absorbing Material. The air intake ducts will feature a twisted design so that engine blades are shrouded within the intake duct.
Smart Large Area Display (LAD) and Head Up Display (HUD): The LCA Mk.II will be equipped with upgraded Fly by Wire (FBW) controls with advanced Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC), indigenous actuators, a Smart Cockpit, Internal Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS), On Board Oxygen Generated System (OBOGS), Infrared Search and Track (IRST) and Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). More composites in the airframe will decrease its weight, with empty weight of 7000 kg, lighter than even the LCA Mk. 1, and able to carry 3300 kg of internal fuel with take-off clean weight of 11000 kg. The maximum take-off weight will be increased to 17500 kg. Hard points will be increased to 11 thus despite of Self Protection Jammer and Targeting Pod being attached, the Mk.II can carry more weapons than the Mk.1. The Mk.II will be powered by the GE F414-INS6 engine, with maximum thrust of 98 Kn. Ferry range is increased to 3500 km, a limit of -3.2 to 9 and MAX speed Increased to Mach 1.8. According to reports, ADA will unveil the Mk.II in 2022, the first flight to be conducted by 2023, entry into production by 2025-2026. However according to some other sources, “this is a very ambitious time line.” The AMCA While the LCA Mk.1, Mk.1A and Mk. 2 (MWF) will bridge the gap needed to replenish much of the retiring fighter aircraft fleet currently in service, the IAF will need a futuristic platform to meet future requirements. Aerospace technology is progressing rapidly and so is nature of the threat. Instead of a specific platform that the IAF in future will face network based high technology platforms ranging from advanced fourth generation to fifth-generation aircraft, stealth unmanned platforms, long range surface to air missiles and future electronic warfare machines. To meet the fifth generation threat, the IAF will also need fifth generation fighters which is where the AMCA is going to play a very important role.
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or AMCA is an indigenous attempt to develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft, the most ambitious indigenous project which will reshape IAF. An initial amount of Rs 90 crore was allocated for the feasibility study, then sanction for the design phase accorded in December 2018 with an allocation of more than Rs 400 crore. It is reported the unmanned version also will be developed for the future. Five prototypes of AMCA will be developed in a proposed public-private joint venture. Taxi trials of the AMCA are aimed for 2024-25 with the first flight expected to be conducted by 2025-2026, entering into production by 2029. Series production of AMCA Mk.2 version is expected to be by 2035. According to various reports, ADA are working on three different projects: LCA Mk. II, AMCA and TEDBF for the Indian Navy. All prototypes are reported to be unveiled in 3-4 years and all will be airborne in 7-8 years. The fourth largest air force in the world sees multiple challenges ahead. It must take necessary steps to maintain the dominance without facing economic strain. Pakistan is no more India’s primary concern and the focus must be shifted towards the largest advisory China. To combat the challenges procurement of foreign platforms can give India capability to conduct some crucial missions for some time, but it is only the indigenous platforms which can augment the strength needed for it. IAF to enter fifth generation era very soon.
Proposed specifications of AMCA
Body conformed antennas Flushed electro-optical sensors and stealth features Maximum Take Off Weight of 25 tonnes Internal fuel capability of 6.5 tonnes Specially designed detachable fuel tanks compatible with the internal weapons bay The internal bay will be able to carry four weapons. Th e non-stealth mode will feature 10 weapon stations. Diverterless supersonic intakes Advanced active and passive sensors integrated with electronic warfare suite. Vehicle Monitoring System (IVHM), Serpentine Air Intake, Infrared Search and Track (IRST) and Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) Mk. 1 version will be equipped with two F-414-INS6 engines with 98 kN thrust, while Mk. 2 will be equipped with indigenous 110 kN engines developed with the help of a foreign collaborator.
AMCA model at Defexpo 2020 (Photo: Vayu)
All the specifications mentioned above are based on reports or articles published till 6 January 2021. Aero India 2021 is likely to unveil some new specifications as well as changes.
Sankalan Chattopadhyay (twitter@vinoddx9)
(Source & Courtesy: LiveFist, DDR & Onmanorama)