TEJAS AIRCRAFT

• The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is a type of multi-role combat aircraft designed and developed for use by various air forces around the world. It is typically characterized by its lightweight construction, advanced avionics, and capabilities for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
• LCAs are designed to operate in various combat scenarios, including close air support, air superiority, reconnaissance, and ground attack missions. They are often agile and versatile, capable of performing a wide range of missions with relatively low operating costs compared to larger, more complex fighter aircraft.
• The development of LCAs typically involves a combination of advanced technologies, including fly-by-wire flight controls, advanced radar systems, and sophisticated weapon systems. These features enable the aircraft to operate effectively in modern combat environments, often incorporating stealth technology to reduce its radar signature and increase survivability.
• Several countries have developed their own versions of the Light Combat Aircraft, each tailored to meet the specific requirements of their respective air forces. These aircraft play a crucial role in modern military operations, providing a cost-effective solution for various tactical air missions

3.LCA Tejas Specifications

The specifications of the LCA Tejas, which is developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in India, vary depending on the specific variant. However, here are some general specifications:

• Dimensions:

  • Length: Approximately 13.2 meters (43 feet)
  • Wingspan: Approximately 8.2 meters (27 feet)
  • Height: Approximately 4.4 meters (14 feet)

• Weight:

  • Empty Weight: Around 6,560 kilograms (14,470 pounds)
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: Approximately 13,500 kilograms (29,750 pounds)

• Powerplant:

  • Engine: General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine (in initial variants)
  • Thrust: Approximately 53.9 kilonewtons (12,100 pounds-force)

• Performance:

  • Maximum Speed: Approximately Mach 1.8 (2,205 kilometers per hour or 1,370 miles per hour)
  • Range: Approximately 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles)
  • Service Ceiling: Approximately 15,250 meters (50,000 feet)
  • Rate of Climb: Approximately 16,000 feet per minute

• Armament:

  • Guns: One 23mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon
  • Hardpoints: Eight hardpoints for carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including missiles, bombs, and rockets

• Avionics:

  • Radar: Multi-mode radar (varies by version)
  • Avionics Suite: Advanced avionics including HUD (Head-Up Display), MFDs (Multi-Function Displays), mission computers, and integrated electronic warfare systems

• Tejas Mk1: This is the initial production variant of the Tejas. It features a conventional configuration and is primarily intended for air defense and ground attack missions.

• Tejas Mk1A: This variant is an upgraded version of the Mk1, featuring improvements in avionics, sensors, and weapon systems. It aims to enhance the overall combat capability of the aircraft.

• Tejas Mk2: The Mk2 variant is a medium-weight multirole fighter designed to address the Indian Air Force's requirements for a more capable and versatile platform. It is expected to have improved performance, range, and payload capacity compared to the Mk1.

• Tejas Navy (Mk1 and Mk2): These variants are specifically designed for carrier-based operations. They feature strengthened landing gear, arrestor hook, and other modifications to enable takeoff and landing from aircraft carriers.

• Tejas Trainer (Mk1 and Mk2): These variants are dual-seat training versions of the Tejas, designed to train pilots for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

• Tejas Trainer (LIFT): The Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) variant is intended for advanced pilot training and weapons delivery practice. It is equipped with advanced avionics and weapon systems similar to operational variants.

• Tejas Twin-Engine Variant: There have been discussions and studies about developing a twin-engine variant of the Tejas to further enhance its performance and capabilities. However, as of my last update, detailed plans for this variant were not finalized.

 

5. The 'Bailout' Process

 

• Bailouts are an extremely forceful procedure, often resulting in injuries for those who eject. Roughly 20-30 percent of individuals who eject suffer some form of spinal injury due to the intense forces involved.
• Newton's Second Law of Motion dictates that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration. On Earth's surface, gravity produces an acceleration of 1G (9.806 m/s^2). However, during extreme fighter jet maneuvers, pilots may experience a debilitating 8-10 Gs of acceleration.
• During ejections, albeit for a brief duration, forces can reach up to 20 Gs, meaning ejectees endure up to 20 times their body weight in force. This extreme force can cause bone fractures, cartilage tears, and even spinal compression, leading to a loss of height.
• Furthermore, pilots must ensure their bodies are streamlined during ejection to avoid injury. Any protruding limbs, such as knees, risk severe damage upon contact with surrounding objects.
• Pilots undergo extensive training to prepare for ejections, and individuals entering fighter aircraft must undergo basic training as well. Physical fitness is crucial for withstanding the intense forces experienced during ejection
• After the ejectee gets to a safe distance from the aircraft, their seat falls off and the parachute is deployed. This is supposed to happen automatically, but pilots also have the ability to manually deploy the chute in case of a malfunction

 

6. Way Forward

 

Crucially, parachutes are not supposed to be deployed at a very high altitude. Doing so risks the person freezing to death, or going hypoxic from the lack of oxygen, or both. For higher altitude ejections, a smaller parachute, known as the drogue, is first deployed in order to cut the speed of descent and stabilise the fall.

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1.Consider the following statements regarding Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas:(AFCAT 2022)   I. Most of them are capable of flying at supersonic speeds reaching nearly Mach 1.5. II. It is a single-engine multi-role light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency. III. It is equipped with Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile and Derby Beyond Visual Range Missile.   Select the correct answer using the code given below: A.I only B.I and II only C.III only D.II and III only Answer (D) 2.The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) designed and developed by HAL is also known as (MP Police Constable 2017) A.Suryakiran B.Aryabhatta C.Tejas D.Prakash Answer (C)

Source: Indianexpress