LCA Tejas achieves rare technological breakthrough

NEW DELHI: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has achieved a rare technological breakthrough with three consecutive start ups of its engine in extreme sub-zero temperatures of Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir.

"With three consecutive start-ups of its engine after overnight soak in extreme cold around minus 15 degrees Celsius conditions of Laddakh winter without any external assistance, Tejas, the Indian Light Combat Aircraft has achieved yet another and a rare distinction," an official statement said.

Starting the fighter aircraft under such extreme conditions without any external assistance or heating is a technology challenge, it said.

The requirements become further stringent when the starting is to be done three times consecutively with a partially charged battery.

"The team LCA has achieved a technological breakthrough," Dr P S Subramanyam PGD (CA) and Director, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) said.

Prior to aircraft tests, the Jet Fuel Starter (JFS) was extensively tested on test rig to meet starting conditions across the operating altitudes including Leh (10,700 ft.) and Khardung La (18300 ft.), a high mountain pass located in the region.

The control software of JFS was fine tuned to work at all operating altitudes with no adjustments from cockpit.

The engine starter is developed indigenously by HAL Aero Engine Research and Design Centre (AERDC), Bangalore.