Aeronautical Development Agency to bring in advisor for Tejas Mark-2

After the rollout of the prototype of the light combat aircraft (LCA) Navy - NP1 early this week, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is now looking at finalising an aerospace partner for the development of its advanced prototype — Tejas Mark-2.

The LCA Tejas is being developed in two variants for the Indian Air Force and Navy by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), ADA and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Commodore C D Balaji, director-LCA Navy-ADA, told DNA Money the state-run defence aerospace firm would be appointing a consultant for the Tejas Mark-2 in the next couple of months.
Since ADA’s negotiation with US-based Lockheed Martin, which had qualified for the consultancy of the LCA Tejas, has failed, it would be European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) that would be brought in to advise it on the programme.
Balaji said ADA would get in an aerospace expert to resolve issues on weight of the aircraft, location of the arrester and other such technical issues in the Tejas Mark-2 programme.

“We have been conservative in our design and development of the LCA NP1 and NP2 (Air Force version), but would like to optimise them in the future prototypes (Tejas Mark1 and Mark2). We will need experienced firms for this,” said Balaji.

He said ADA was taking “baby steps” in LCA project and was apprehensive about it. “It (LCA Navy) is weaker than the required in some areas,” said the ADA’s director.

Simultaneously, ADA is also in the process of the selecting engines for the LCA Tejas for which it had sent out request for proposal (RFP) to General Electric (GE) for its F-414 and Eurojet for its EJ200.

Balaji said both the engines are technically compliant and their financial bid was under evaluation. He said after the down selection of the engines, the design and aero-structure of the LCA could be required to be modified.

Defence aerospace experts believe ADA would need help of a global aerospace partner to accelerate the pace of the programme and quickly resolve complicated technical issues.

“Once they (ADA) move to developing the new variants (for the LCA),  they will need help in areas such as determining the location and attachment of the arrester hook system on aircraft, ways to test the arrester hook system, aerodynamic fixes to improve  takeoff and landing performance on the carrier, optimising the landing gear design to handle larger operating weight,  recommend alternative engine with higher thrust to enhance thrust-to-weight ratio and making associated changes in the aircraft’s structural configuration for  reduction of weight  by 500 kg and integration of operational payload on the aircraft,” said an expert.

The Indian Navy requires over 50 aircraft and has ordered for six till now.