Tejas Mk.1 & Mk.1A: News & Discussions: 04 January 2021

rajsunder · Post by **rajsunder** » 01 Feb 2021 13:26

Loyal Wingman for Tejas MK1/ MK1A/ Mk2

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 7393201152

With SAAW in its belly

I am very happy that our Engineers are now confident to tackle the toughest problems. Just one victory of Mk1 has done wonders.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Feb 2021 01:59

Kartik, Does the Mk1A have that midbody plug, or is that the Mk2?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Feb 2021 02:05

csaurabh wrote: We have submitted a proposal for indigenising one of these LRUs under the TDF scheme of DRDO, however the progress of approval on their side is quite slow. The task of indigenous technology development is quite tedious and can only go forward with strong political will, otherwise, babus will be totally relaxed and not take any decision.

Saurabh,
What is the process? Do you have to submit a vendor qualification plan?
Provide prototype for evaluation?
Are you on an approved supplier list?
Please let us know the process you had to follow?
This is all very new to our folks here.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Feb 2021 02:13

I see the Ejection Seat (ESCAPE) is included in the 112 LRUs to be made in India.

Dileep · Post by **Dileep** » 02 Feb 2021 07:46

ramana wrote: Saurabh,
What is the process? Do you have to submit a vendor qualification plan?
Provide prototype for evaluation?
Are you on an approved supplier list?
Please let us know the process you had to follow?
This is all very new to our folks here.

Link to TDF site: https://tdf.drdo.gov.in/
The brochure of the scheme: https://tdf.drdo.gov.in/Tutorial/download/8

We had submitted several proposals. Three of them went to DPR stage and stuck there.
A project to develop ARINC-818 IP block is awarded to LogicFruit and Samtel, but not sure of the progress. The plan to have that protocol for LCA Mk1A is gone now. I hope MK2/AMCA gets it.

ManuJ · Post by **ManuJ** » 02 Feb 2021 08:03

Article on CATS Warrior by Vishnu Som:

The drone, called Warrior, is part of an indigenous programme called CATS or Combat Air Teaming System, described as "a composite amalgamation of manned and unmanned platforms which work together to penetrate heavily defended enemy airspace." In simple terms, the Warrior drone is being designed to operate with an Indian-made Tejas combat aircraft flown by an Indian Air Force pilot, which it will defend and fight with as they go into combat together.

Also mentions the ALFA-S next generation swarm drone.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exclusi ... at-2361475

csaurabh · Post by **csaurabh** » 02 Feb 2021 11:52

ramana wrote:
csaurabh wrote: We have submitted a proposal for indigenising one of these LRUs under the TDF scheme of DRDO, however the progress of approval on their side is quite slow. The task of indigenous technology development is quite tedious and can only go forward with strong political will, otherwise, babus will be totally relaxed and not take any decision.

Saurabh,
What is the process? Do you have to submit a vendor qualification plan?
Provide prototype for evaluation?
Are you on an approved supplier list?
Please let us know the process you had to follow?
This is all very new to our folks here.

We had submitted a proposal on Feb 2020 (before lockdown ). No prototype just design proposal.
Got a response around Sept 2020. Phone calls and emails from ADA. They seemed quite positive about it. Sent some documents for Q&A which we replied to.
No progress from that point on.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 02 Feb 2021 11:56

ramana wrote:Kartik, Does the Mk1A have that midbody plug, or is that the Mk2?

Ramana sir, no fuselage changes on the Mk1A. Mk2 gets a 1.3 m fuselage plug.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 02 Feb 2021 11:59

One can figure out what happened IMHO.

Look at DRDO's budget for 2020-21, under Revised vs Budgeted. Latter is far lower than proposed.
Simply put, ADA likely got no funds to move ahead with "good to have" stuff from HQ and put the proposals on backburner till funding opens up again.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 02 Feb 2021 17:31

3 Tejas Mk1 fighters from No.45 Squadron

Livefist twitter link

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 03 Feb 2021 01:28

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/135 ... 82049?s=20 ---> A deal with momentous implications for the IAF, industry & the indigenous aerospace effort — $6.5 billion LCA Tejas deal will be signed TODAY. We’ll have reports from the ground all through today.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 03 Feb 2021 01:29

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/135 ... 77633?s=20 ---> At the second LCA Tejas production line inauguration ceremony today in Bengaluru.

kit · Post by **kit** » 03 Feb 2021 02:04

Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/livefist/status/135 ... 82049?s=20 ---> A deal with momentous implications for the IAF, industry & the indigenous aerospace effort — $6.5 billion LCA Tejas deal will be signed TODAY. We’ll have reports from the ground all through today.

Whats the time line to finish this order ? Does the Mk2 need another production line ?

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 03 Feb 2021 02:10

In three years, the first deliveries will begin. And that is the industry standard.

AkshaySG · Post by **AkshaySG** » 03 Feb 2021 03:12

kit wrote:
Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/livefist/status/135 ... 82049?s=20 ---> A deal with momentous implications for the IAF, industry & the indigenous aerospace effort — $6.5 billion LCA Tejas deal will be signed TODAY. We’ll have reports from the ground all through today.
Whats the time line to finish this order ? Does the Mk2 need another production line ?

Deliveries start by 2024 , finish around 2028-29 depending on how quickly HAL can scale up .

MWF still has a while to go before it goes into serial production ,so its likely that other lines may free up by then or that HAL would produce it in a more modularized way leading to more output from one line ... But yeah it seems likely that we may need more lines

srai · Post by **srai** » 03 Feb 2021 05:20

kit wrote:
Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/livefist/status/135 ... 82049?s=20 ---> A deal with momentous implications for the IAF, industry & the indigenous aerospace effort — $6.5 billion LCA Tejas deal will be signed TODAY. We’ll have reports from the ground all through today.
Whats the time line to finish this order ? Does the Mk2 need another production line ?

There’s Su-30MKI line winding down

It has a capacity of 12 MKI/year. Having said that, HAL is increasing MKI overhaul capacity from 15 to 25; so likely existing freed-up space may be repurposed.

Yes, more facilities will be required for MWF, AMCA and TEDBF. Watch the Tarmak007 HAL LCA production line series. It will give you an idea of what is involved and how much floor space is required for various component/sub-assemblies jigs, equipping, and final assembly.

Remember that it consumes a lot of resources and money to setup a production line for a new aircraft type. Then optimize, quality control and scale up. Lengthy process. Basically, you have to do things in parallel with other programs; can’t wait for one to finish before starting another. Too slow if you do that. Upfront Investments are mandatory. Sooner it’s done smoother the timelines.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 03 Feb 2021 07:01

https://twitter.com/nileshjrane/status/ ... 56768?s=20 ---> These 4 pages summarize NAL's contribution to the LCA program. So much stuff in there. All those who wonder what was happening in LCA program for 30 years, should study this in detail. And keep in mind that this is only one lab out of more than 100 work centers involved in LCA.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 03 Feb 2021 13:10

83 Tejas Mk1A contract signed at Aero India.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1356823498862170112?s=19

Balar · Post by **Balar** » 03 Feb 2021 14:00

Finally the dotted line has been signed. A big thanks to all who have worked for this to happen.

disha · Post by **disha** » 03 Feb 2021 14:12

CONGRATULATIONS

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 03 Feb 2021 14:20

Sigh,

Finally,

What a relief.

basant · Post by **basant** » 03 Feb 2021 14:29

BALAR025 wrote:Finally the dotted line has been signed. A big thanks to all who have worked for this to happen.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 03 Feb 2021 15:00

Wow Finally.

dipak · Post by **dipak** » 03 Feb 2021 15:18

A momentous day for desi fighter program indeed.
My pranaams to all the known-unknown warriors who relentlessly worked, contributed and had a belief in it to make it happen.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 03 Feb 2021 15:46

Congratulations to ADA and HAL as well as to all the Tejas fanboys and supporters here!!

This is a massive day in India's aerospace history. The tide will now begin to turn towards indigenous fighters.

Wish Manohar Parrikar ji was still alive to witness this day. It is thanks to him that the Tejas program was saved and the Mk1A came about.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 03 Feb 2021 16:02

First look at the Tejas M1k prototype LSP-3 with Uttam AESA radar!

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 03 Feb 2021 16:14

Tejas Mk1 flying beside a B-1B Lancer! Who would've expected this!?

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 03 Feb 2021 16:18

from tracking each and every flight of every single LSP to an order of 83 Mk1A on BRF it has been a long and delightful journey! thanks to all before me on this forum who posted and let me know more..
and yes all those who worked on this project when the entire world was against them, kept faith and kept toiling ceaselessly. Mother india would be eternally thankful to those

arvin · Post by **arvin** » 03 Feb 2021 16:42

Congratulations to all involved in this achievement. May this be the beginning of long order book to flow in next many years.
Hope this makes LCA case stronger for US Navy trainer requirement.

Dileep · Post by **Dileep** » 03 Feb 2021 16:59

OK. Now I can celebrate!!

TushS · Post by **TushS** » 03 Feb 2021 17:11

A long awaited Jingo moment. yayyyy

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 03 Feb 2021 18:38

Remember all the people who contributed to this. Those should have been around to witness this happy occasion like Manohar Parikarji.

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 03 Feb 2021 18:49

Great job LCA team! Thank you for your dogged hard work in spite of existential challenges! The nation owes you! Make us proud by conquering the skies!

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 03 Feb 2021 18:51

Several Counties have expressed interest in procuring Tejas M1A , Export Orders Soon : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

and the amerikis have agreed to let us freely export their engines and also spare engines to the buyers and guarantee spares as well

the amerikis are not known to be trustworthy in such matters

also are we really going to sell the brahmos to the neighborhood ummah, especially when all of them have fairly close ties to the pakis and the hans

m_saini · Post by **m_saini** » 03 Feb 2021 19:02

Such a proud moment!

nam · Post by **nam** » 03 Feb 2021 19:05

The next target: Orders for MK2, AMCA & TEDBF prototype

In the series on ADA & HAL, there was a comment that LCA wings being made of composites are very hard to drill. Imagine the airframe life of LCA, when it is difficult to droll holes in to..

souravB · Post by **souravB** » 03 Feb 2021 19:06

chetak wrote: and the amerikis have agreed to let us freely export their engines and also spare engines to the buyers and guarantee spares as well

Just for shits & giggles, I'd like for GoI to try and sell a few LCA LIFT to Russia.

nam · Post by **nam** » 03 Feb 2021 19:09

Would anybody know if the composites and the metal surface are co-cured together or the metal surface is riveted afterwards?

They should figure out a way to combine the composite and metallic surface, so as to reduce the amount of rivets, specially on wings.

pushkar.bhat · Post by **pushkar.bhat** » 03 Feb 2021 19:13

ramana wrote:83 Tejas Mk1A contract signed at Aero India.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1356823498862170112?s=19

Ramana Sir, Please store this post by you to the sticky page. Its a historical and landmark day for Indian Aviation industry. We finally are on track to have our own fighter entering production in substantial numbers.

Time to open the mithai, the Rum, The Single Malts or whatever poison each one of us drink.

rajkumar · Post by **rajkumar** » 03 Feb 2021 19:31

nam wrote:Would anybody know if the composites and the metal surface are co-cured together or the metal surface is riveted afterwards?

They should figure out a way to combine the composite and metallic surface, so as to reduce the amount of rivets, specially on wings.

If you look at the Tarmak 007 video's you can see that the composite is riveted to the metal spar's