Tejas is a single pilot, single engined, light weight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A is a supersonic fighter at all altitudes for air combat, which can carry a payload of 3,500 kg and is best suited for offensive air support. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 15 km.
The indigenously-developed aircraft has been manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
It is the second supersonic fighter jet that has been developed by HAL (the first one being HAL HF-24 Marut). Also Read Indian Defence GK Notes here
It was in 2003 that the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was named ‘Tejas’ (meaning radiance in Sanskrit).
It is a tailless compound delta aircraft, which is equipped with Quadruplex Digital fly-by-wire.
The aircraft is built with advanced composite materials with reduced weight, increased life and reduced signature.
Tejas has a maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 13,300 kg. It can attend the maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has a general range of 850 km and a combat range of 500 km.
LCA Mk 1A has many advanced features like: Beyond Visual Range Missile capabilities, Air-to-Air Refuelling and Air-to-Ground weapons.
Indigenously developed BVR missile (ASTRA Mk 1) has been identified to be integrated on Mk 1A.
The LCA Mk 1A comes with a Digital Moving Map with 2D maps and 3D perspective view.
With the introduction of podded Self-Protection Jammer (SPJ) and Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar in LCA Mk 1A, the survivability of the aircraft is further enhanced.
AESA radar means it will have improved range than the regular system and will enable near simultaneous missile firing for multiple targets and increased situational awareness.
LCA Tejas was inducted into the Indian Air Force's 45 Squadron in July 2016 to prepare for combat readiness.
The Tejas aircraft, which is capable of air-to-air refuelling (AAR), received the final operational clearance for induction into the air force as a fully-weaponized fighter jet in February 2019.
In Jan 2021, the naval variant of the Tejas, in development stage, successfully performed "arrested landings" on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
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