Wanted: Powerful engine for LCA

NEW DELHI: India is hunting for a more powerful, modern engine for its indigenous fighter, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which is under development in Bangalore, even as the Indian Air Force is thinking of doubling its order for aircraft from 20 to 40.

Dependable sources said the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the lead agency for developing Tejas, has appointed an “empowered committee” to consider inducting a new, more powerful engine. Eurojet, which makes the engines for Eurofighter, and GE, which has supplied the existing GE-F404 engines, are among the companies that the government is talking to. Tejas is expected to replace the MIG-21
fleet of the IAF.

The IAF expressed its reservations about the thrust of the existing GE-F404 engines, after the weight of the plane went up from 8,000 kg to10,000 kg. The weight increase and other factors had contributed to the trial flight performances not coming up to IAF’s expectations. 

This has forced the government to look at a more powerful engine. In fact, the effort to get a better engine for LCA has been going on with several twists and turns. The indigenous engine Kaveri, originally meant to power the aircraft, is not fully developed yet. The GE-404’s deliveries were severely affected by sanctions imposed after the 1998 nuclear tests, contributing to the overall delay of LCA’s development.

As more and more equipment was incorporated into the LCA its weight went up by almost 2000 kg. “It is the most densely packed aircraft in its class,” says a senior official associated with the project.

To improve LCA’s performance, the project team is trying out many things: optimisation of drag, reduction of weight and a powerful engine. For the time being, GE has improved its engine and supplied a better one, customised for India.. The first LCA with this engine, called GE F-404-IN20. carried out its first flight last week.

Sources said the IAF, having already ordered 20 LCAs, is “inclined” to order 20 more, fitted with the improved engines. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which would manufacture the LCA, is ready to start delivery in 2011. The HAL is confident of delivering six to eight LCAs a year. If  the order for additional 20 comes, that would help HAL keep the assembly lines open for over six years, during which further improvements would help LCA shape into a great fighter, according to those involved in the project believe.
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