HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[Yasser76]

In terms of ECM capabilities of SU-30 MKI, the SU-30s can carry Elta EL/M-8222 SPJ. This is a standard EW pod for all SU-30 MKIs in service with Indian Airforce.

Jamming Modes I have read ELTA EL/M-8222 SPJ supports

1. Deceptive jamming
2. DRFM jamming
3. Barrage jamming
4. Pulse jamming

The first two are very important against A-A Missiles like AIM-120 C5 as when the missile is jammed the missile will encounter extreme difficulty to home on jam. Though Russian jammers have higher transmit power they use Blanket Jamming hence home on jam is effective against them. Blanket Jamming also fails against AESA seeker or radar.

During 27th Feb 2019, when PAF fired couple of AIM-120s on MKI; ELTA El/M-8222 SPJ were able to autonomously steer off the missiles away from its host aircraft thus saving the host aircraft.

It does not make it a modern 4.5th gen aircraft still

 

[Yasser76]

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Without a modern AESA and very long range BVR missiles, it does not make this aircraft 4.5th gen. Much of what you have listed is already available in Block 2 JF-17 and F-16 MLUs.

The only true 4.5th gen aircraft in service with IAF and with full capability is the Rafale

 

[Yasser76]

The post you quoted me, I asked specifically about how F-16 is inferior than mordern jets like of Rafale, Eurofighter etc?

And yes, Jaguar Darin III and Mirage both have 1553 databus,

Yes, but not when they were orginally built, that was my point

 

[Chandragupt Maurya]

Firstly how carbon composte airframe make you fighter to accomodate mordern avionics? And what are those mordern avionics, please mention it.

you think it's possible to upgrade the MiG-21 to make it a 4.5 generation jet like the Tejas MK1A? It's not feasible, as every design becomes outdated over time and cannot always accommodate new technology. There are several features in the designs of the Tejas, J-10C, Rafale, Eurofighter, and Gripen that are not present in the F-16. One such feature is the blending of the wings with the fuselage, which reduces the radar cross-section.

 

[Chandragupt Maurya]

Tejas front line and replaced SU-30 already? I am not sure about that....

Also total Tejas frontline strength is 1 sqd (That is fully FOC) and Rafales only 2sqd, how does that replace 14 odd SU-3O sqds!?

Currently, 40 Tejas jets are in service and 183 are on order, totaling 223. More orders are expected in the future, and the total number of Tejas jets in the Indian Air Force is likely to easily exceed the 300 mark.

 

[Chandragupt Maurya]

Without a modern AESA and very long range BVR missiles, it does not make this aircraft 4.5th gen. Much of what you have listed is already available in Block 2 JF-17 and F-16 MLUs.

The only true 4.5th gen aircraft in service with IAF and with full capability is the Rafale

Both Rafale and Tejas jets are equipped with AESA radars. Although the Su-30MKI currently lacks an AESA radar, it is expected to be upgraded with one within the next 5-6 years. Meanwhile, within the next four years, 83 Tejas MK1A jets, featuring Gallium Nitride AESA radars, will be in service. Rafales are equipped with Gallium Arsenide AESA radars, not Gallium Nitride.

 

[MirageBlue]

That looks incredible. Far gone are the days of analogue gauges & displays and toggle switches and huge crank levers lol. Although touch screens seem a bit odd for every application considering the G-forces that fighter pilots experience and reaching for an icon on a touch screen to set or activate a critical component while performing a negative 3G pushover might not be as ideal as a simple switch. Along with all this high tech I'm sure there's a new training procedure for new techniques to deal with such changes that are the result of all this high tech.

With AI infusing almost every facet of our lives, perhaps the current level of voice command used in the latest avionics suites will only get even more prominent with respect to flying these modern marvels.

So based on that pic, LCA is obviously a sidestick, yes?

That's not a simulator with just the screening for training, right?

Ever since the venerable F-16 with its amazing bubble canopy, the 30 degree reclining of the zero-zero ejection seat and especially the locating of the stick to the side instead of the center pedestal and how revolutionary that was seemed like it would be a much better choice for pilots (especially right-handed ones which I think is the overwhelming majority) than having the stick in the center between the legs and one's arm's cross-reach not being nearly as comfortable. It just seemed like a more ergonomically sound design that I figured we would see it almost exclusively in all subsequently new fighter jet designs. Why any new fighter being designed & built post F-16 would have a center stick is puzzling to me.

Remember, most of the key controls are HOTAS, which help in high G scenarios. The LAD is for displays and only if the pilot needs to change a page or make a selection that isn't on the HOTAS, will he need to reach out and use the LAD.

What is shown there may well be a sim for test pilots to give feedback to the developers.

Cursor and mouse are on the side stick and throttle.

Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A also have reclining seats BTW. So will Tejas Mk2.

Yes, Tejas Mk2 is being designed with a side stick. The Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A have a center stick.

 

[MirageBlue]

Both Rafale and Tejas jets are equipped with AESA radars. Although the Su-30MKI currently lacks an AESA radar, it is expected to be upgraded with one within the next 5-6 years. Meanwhile, within the next four years, 83 Tejas MK1A jets, featuring Gallium Nitride AESA radars, will be in service. Rafales are equipped with Gallium Arsenide AESA radars, not Gallium Nitride.

Not just expected, it will happen. The Su-30MKI upgrade program has been approved and funds sanctioned. Now it's a matter of getting the upgraded Su-30MKI prototypes ready and into testing.

And that will be just Phase 1. There will be a Phase 2 with more Su-30MKIs upgraded, which will have some differences in equipment to deal with obsolescence that will creep in within the next 6-8 years leading to newer variants of what will be in Phase 1.

 

[Yasser76]

Both Rafale and Tejas jets are equipped with AESA radars. Although the Su-30MKI currently lacks an AESA radar, it is expected to be upgraded with one within the next 5-6 years. Meanwhile, within the next four years, 83 Tejas MK1A jets, featuring Gallium Nitride AESA radars, will be in service. Rafales are equipped with Gallium Arsenide AESA radars, not Gallium Nitride.

Sure, so my point stands, currently even new batch of SU-30MKI is not 4.5th gen

 

[Yasser76]

Currently, 40 Tejas jets are in service and 183 are on order, totaling 223. More orders are expected in the future, and the total number of Tejas jets in the Indian Air Force is likely to easily exceed the 300 mark.

I was not talking about what is on order, but the present situation on the ground. How does 1 FOC Tejas sqd and 2 Rafale sqd takeover frontline duties of 14 SU-30 sqds like you claimed?

 

[Chandragupt Maurya]

I was not talking about what is on order, but the present situation on the ground. How does 1 FOC Tejas sqd and 2 Rafale sqd takeover frontline duties of 14 SU-30 sqds like you claimed?

4 Tejas MK1A aircraft are nearly ready to be delivered to the Indian Air Force, and the plan is to deliver 16 each year, eventually increasing to 24 annually. The Tejas is particularly significant in the India-Pakistan context, not only because it is equipped with Gallium Nitride AESA radar and being procured in large numbers, but also because it will be deployed at forward bases along the Pakistan border, much like the MiG-21 in the past. Any Pakistani fighter jet approaching India would first encounter the Tejas, a significant upgrade over the outdated MiG-21. The Tejas boasts cutting-edge technology, including the capability to fire Meteor missiles once it is equipped with the Indian UTTAM radar. It features air-to-air refueling, eight hardpoints, a Helmet-Mounted Display, and all the features found in the Rafale, Eurofighter, J-10C, or Gripen, yet it is smaller than the MiG-21, making it harder to detect on radar or by the naked eye. The Tejas can be easily stored in the hardened shelters designed for the MiG-21. With the exception of the J-10C, no fighter jet in the Pakistan Air Force can match the Tejas. JF-17 Block 3 uses an air-cooled AESA radar, which is highly inefficient.

 

[Yasser76]

4 Tejas MK1A aircraft are nearly ready to be delivered to the Indian Air Force, and the plan is to deliver 16 each year, eventually increasing to 24 annually. The Tejas is particularly significant in the India-Pakistan context, not only because it is equipped with Gallium Nitride AESA radar and being procured in large numbers, but also because it will be deployed at forward bases along the Pakistan border, much like the MiG-21 in the past. Any Pakistani fighter jet approaching India would first encounter the Tejas, a significant upgrade over the outdated MiG-21. The Tejas boasts cutting-edge technology, including the capability to fire Meteor missiles once it is equipped with the Indian UTTAM radar. It features air-to-air refueling, eight hardpoints, a Helmet-Mounted Display, and all the features found in the Rafale, Eurofighter, J-10C, or Gripen, yet it is smaller than the MiG-21, making it harder to detect on radar or by the naked eye. The Tejas can be easily stored in the hardened shelters designed for the MiG-21. With the exception of the J-10C, no fighter jet in the Pakistan Air Force can match the Tejas. JF-17 Block 3 uses an air-cooled AESA radar, which is highly inefficient.

you spent all this time and energy on a long paragraph making a totally irrelevant point to the one being discussed.

 

[Chandragupt Maurya]

Sure, so my point stands, currently even new batch of SU-30MKI is not 4.5th gen

The most significant upgrade to the Indian Air Force is the Tejas MK1A, not the Rafales, primarily because the Rafales are limited to just 36 units, whereas the Tejas is being procured in large quantities. The Tejas is as modern as the Rafales. Although the Su-30MKI upgrade will take some time, the Tejas is effectively bridging the gap both quantitatively and qualitatively.

 

[Yasser76]

The most significant upgrade to the Indian Air Force is the Tejas MK1A, not the Rafales, primarily because the Rafales are limited to just 36 units, whereas the Tejas is being procured in large quantities. The Tejas is as modern as the Rafales. Although the Su-30MKI upgrade will take some time, the Tejas is effectively bridging the gap both quantitatively and qualitatively.

My point is SU-30MKI even with new bits is not 4.5th gen, you have not proved me wrong.

 

[Chandragupt Maurya]

My point is SU-30MKI even with new bits is not 4.5th gen, you have not proved me wrong.

How does it matter? No fighter jet in the PAF is as modern as the Tejas, except for the J-10C.