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 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 anymore. 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.
