A file photo of TEJAS combat aircraft firing a R-73 close combat missile INS Hansa in Goa

As a run up to the impending achieving of Final Operational Clearance (FOC) and release to service, a TEJAS detachment has been operating from an undisclosed location, conducting the last phase of flight trials. One of the main objectives of the current phase of flight trials was clearing the firing envelope of air to air close combat missile from the TEJAS. The R-73 missile, which is the chosen air to air close combat missile for the TEJAS. The missile is integrated with the on-board Digital Stores Management System (SMS) and Open Architecture Mission and Display Computer. The missile selection is performed from the high resolution Multi Function Display (MFD) pages integrated with the state of the art on-board avionics. All of this equipment form the FOC standard of Avionics, a DRDO statement said.

"One of the main objectives of the current phase of flight trials was clearing the firing envelope of air-to-air close combat missile from the TEJAS,"the statement further added.

A file photo of TEJAS combat aircraft firing a R-73 close combat missile system

The R-73 missile, which is the chosen air-to-air close combat missile for supersonic TEJAS, is integrated with the on-board Digital Stores Management System (SMS) and Open Architecture Mission and Display Computer.

The missile selection is performed from the high resolution Multi Function Display (MFD) pages integrated with the sophisticated on-board avionics. All these equipment form the FOC standard of avionics, it said.

Air to Air missile integration and testing especially on a fly by wire aircraft is a very complex task involving interfaces with aerodynamics, engine air intake, control laws, flight control system, avionics system, electrical and other general system of aircraft.

Accordingly the main objectives of test firing is to validate:

  • Safe separation of the missile from the TEJAS aircraft
  • Effect of missile plume on engine air-intake
  • Functionality of store management system (SMS) including safety interlocks
  • Effect of missile plume on composites structures
  • Handling quality assessment during missile launch

The data and video from the test aircraft will be available at the base station in Bangalore through a dedicated fibre optic link set up for this purpose, the statement said.

As mentioned above, this flight is an attempt to realise and complete important requirements of the user like safe separation of the missile from the test aircraft, no missile plume-effect on the engine operation, avionics and weapon system functionality and safety interlocks, aircraft handling quality assessment during missile release, and effect of missile plume on the composite structure.

According to officials familiar with the development, the TEJAS had dropped a record 800+ bombs of various calibre and technological classifications to realise all necessary combat envelope in 2018 alone.

It is also worthy to note that TEJAS is the only operational aircraft in history to complete 4,184 test flight without a single major incident or mishap during its extensive testing phases.

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