The indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas achieved a major milestone after it received the second initial operational clearance (IOC), marking its readiness for induction into the Indian Air Force.
IAF chief NAK Browne received the 'release to service' document from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) here. What it meant is that the aircraft is now ready to be flown by regular IAF pilots, setting the stage for the launch of its mass production.
The IOC-II of Tejas has come barely a week after the Airforce phased out the iconic MiG 21 FL fighter. Defence Minister A. K. Antony, who was here at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. facility for the IOC ceremony, termed it as a "semi-final event" before Tejas gets the final operational clearance sometime in December, 2014.
The aircraft, which has been under development for 30 years, is now certified for all weather operations. Besides improved angle of attack, Tejas has demonstrated its weapon firing capability in both air-to-ground and airto- air combat modes. It has also passed wake penetration trials - an essential component to establish its performance in dog fights.
Although the event marked a huge development in India's military aviation history, the road ahead is equally challenging for Tejas. For getting the final operational clearance, the Tejas has to incorporate air-to-air refuelling component. Its weaponisation has to be improved further. Several other teething problems related to brakes, fuel and radome are still to be sorted out.
Even after the final operational clearance, the IAF will have only two squadrons (40 aircraft) of Tejas. The first Tejas squadron will come up at the new base in Sulur, Tamil Nadu from 2015. The Airforce, instead, wants larger number (four squadrons) of Tejas Mark-II. The Mk-II version will have a more powerful engine.
In all, IAF will have 200 Mk I and Mk II Tejas in the next decade as a replacement of the ageing MiG-21s. But there will be no sign of Tejas Mk II before 2020 as its design is expected to be frozen only early next year.
20/12/13 Gautam Dutt/Daily Mirror
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IAF chief NAK Browne received the 'release to service' document from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) here. What it meant is that the aircraft is now ready to be flown by regular IAF pilots, setting the stage for the launch of its mass production.
The IOC-II of Tejas has come barely a week after the Airforce phased out the iconic MiG 21 FL fighter. Defence Minister A. K. Antony, who was here at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. facility for the IOC ceremony, termed it as a "semi-final event" before Tejas gets the final operational clearance sometime in December, 2014.
The aircraft, which has been under development for 30 years, is now certified for all weather operations. Besides improved angle of attack, Tejas has demonstrated its weapon firing capability in both air-to-ground and airto- air combat modes. It has also passed wake penetration trials - an essential component to establish its performance in dog fights.
Although the event marked a huge development in India's military aviation history, the road ahead is equally challenging for Tejas. For getting the final operational clearance, the Tejas has to incorporate air-to-air refuelling component. Its weaponisation has to be improved further. Several other teething problems related to brakes, fuel and radome are still to be sorted out.
Even after the final operational clearance, the IAF will have only two squadrons (40 aircraft) of Tejas. The first Tejas squadron will come up at the new base in Sulur, Tamil Nadu from 2015. The Airforce, instead, wants larger number (four squadrons) of Tejas Mark-II. The Mk-II version will have a more powerful engine.
In all, IAF will have 200 Mk I and Mk II Tejas in the next decade as a replacement of the ageing MiG-21s. But there will be no sign of Tejas Mk II before 2020 as its design is expected to be frozen only early next year.
20/12/13 Gautam Dutt/Daily Mirror
