Tejas aircraft are set to become the mainstay of the Indian Air Force.
New Delhi:
The indigenously developed digital fly-by-wire flight control computer has been integrated into the Tejas Light Combat Jet, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, describing it as a “significant development” in the aircraft programme.
The indigenously developed Tejas is a single-engine multi-role combat aircraft capable of operating in high threat air environments. It is designed to perform air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles.
“In a significant development towards the Tejas Mk1A programme, the Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) was integrated into the prototype LSP7 and successfully flown on February 19,” the Defense Ministry said.
The DFCC has been indigenously developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru for the Tejas-MK1A variant.
All critical parameters and performance of the flight controls were found to be satisfactory, the ministry said in a statement. The first flight was piloted by Wing Commander Siddarth Singh KMJ (Retd) of the National Flight Test Centre.
The Indian Air Force already operates the Tejas LCA Mk1.
The upgraded version of the aircraft, Tejas Mk1A features an advanced mission computer, high-performance digital flight control computer (DFCC Mk1A), smart multi-function display (SMFD), advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced self- Security jammers included. , and others including electronic warfare suits, the ministry said.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh appreciated the joint teams of Defense Research and Development Organisation, IAF, ADA and industries involved in the development and successful flight testing of this critical system for Tejas MK1A.
Mr Singh described it as a major step towards ‘self-reliance’ (self-reliance) with reduced number of special imports.
Tejas aircraft are set to become the mainstay of the Indian Air Force. About 40 Tejas of the initial variants have already been included in this.
In February 2021, the Defense Ministry signed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to procure 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the Indian Air Force. In November, the ministry gave preliminary approval for the purchase of an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets for the Indian Air Force.
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