New Delhi. The maiden flight of the Tejas MK-1A fighter jet took place successfully on March 28, 2024 at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facility in Bengaluru. The flight lasted about 18 minutes and marked an important milestone for the aircraft. Before this flight, a digital fly-by-wire flight control computer (DFCC) was installed in the aircraft. In simple terms, DFCC refers to replacing manual flight controls with electronic interfaces, allowing various aircraft functions such as radar, elevator, ailerons, flaps and engine controls to be managed electronically. This system, known as fly-by-wire, gives the aircraft self-balancing capabilities, increasing its safety.
Tejas MK-1A is equipped with an advanced mission computer, high-performance digital flight control computer (DFCC MK-1A), smart multi-function display (SMFD), advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, self-protection jammer, And is equipped with advanced features like electronic warfare suite. While similar to the Tejas Mk-1 in many aspects, the Mk-1A variant includes enhancements such as a modern electronic warfare suite, improved AESA radar, self-protection jammer and radar warning receiver. Additionally, external ECM pods can be attached to this aircraft.
With a maximum speed of 2200 km/h and a combat range of 739 km, the Tejas MK-1A is slightly lighter than its previous version but keeps the same dimensions with a length of 43.4 feet and a height of 14.5 feet. It has a cruising range of 3000 kilometers and can operate at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. The aircraft has a total of 9 hardpoints and is armed with a 23 mm twin-barreled cannon. Various rockets, missiles and bombs can be mounted on these hardpoints.
#WATCH , First flight of the Made in India indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft has been completed in Bengaluru by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited today. The aircraft was airborne for 15 minutes during its first flight: HAL officials pic.twitter.com/eAw0FgpJ1b
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024
The Indian Air Force requires 180 Tejas fighter aircraft, with a contract already in place for 83 LCA Mark1A variants. The remaining jets will be purchased later. Before the Mk-1A variant, the Indian Air Force had ordered 123 Tejas fighters, of which about 30 have already been delivered. The remaining 83 Tejas MK-1A jets are expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2028. Apart from India, several other countries have fleets of light combat jets, including the United States, France, Germany, England, Czech Republic, Brazil, South Korea. Russia, China, Italy and Romania.