Tejas Mk1A Redesign Suggest Possible Improvements in Situational Awareness, Navigation and Performance

The Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft (designated LA5033) is in active development, and recent observations reveal several intriguing structural modifications compared to its Mk1 predecessor.

These changes offer a glimpse into the ongoing improvements that will shape this upgraded variant of India's indigenously developed multi-role fighter.

Potential Enhancements to Situational Awareness​

• Missing RWR Sensors: The vertical tail of the Mk1A appears to lack the Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) sensors seen on previous Mk1 models. This absence suggests either a relocation of these sensors or the integration of an entirely new RWR system. Either change would potentially enhance the Tejas Mk1A's ability to detect and respond to threats more effectively.

Communication and Navigation Upgrades​

• New APU Air Intake Antenna: A previously unseen antenna now resides within the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) air intake. This modification hints at either upgraded communication systems or potential enhancements to identification friend-or-foe (IFF) capabilities.
• SDR Antenna Repositioning: The Forward V/UHF antenna has been repositioned, signaling possible adjustments to communication and navigation systems. The Mk1A may also utilize the B-NET Software Defined Radio (SDR) seen on previous Mk1 variants. This SDR, likely procured from Israel, is widely known for delivering secure communications.

Engine Enhancements for Optimal Performance​

• Possible 3-Door Auxiliary Air Intake: The most significant change is a potential redesign of the auxiliary air intake system. Speculation centers on a 3-door configuration that could optimize airflow to the engine, particularly at high altitudes. Such a change could lead to increased engine power and overall performance improvement.
• AESA Radar Integration: As previously confirmed, the Tejas Mk1A will incorporate the ELM-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar from Israel. This upgrade provides superior range, tracking, and detection capabilities compared to previous radar systems used on the Tejas platform.

Important Note: The 3-door auxiliary air intake design, while a compelling possibility, remains to be officially confirmed. Further details and announcements from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be essential in verifying these structural modifications.

Conclusion​

The observed changes on the Tejas Mk1A LA5033 prototype speak to HAL's commitment to improving the aircraft's capabilities across several key areas.

These refinements have the potential to enhance the Mk1A's situational awareness, communication, navigation, engine performance, and overall combat effectiveness due to advanced avionics integration.

 

[sanket]

IAFs Never Ending Demands may impact Delivery schedule Further.Question is when will b This Two Tejas MK1A will b delivered . all New Feauture developed will b tested so it may delay Further handing First Two Tejas MK1A over to IAF.

 

[Chhole Bhature]

How to know which antenna is for what use - VHF, SDR,?
What is the use of canopy rear bulge?

 

[kumar]

How to know which antenna is for what use - VHF, SDR,?
What is the use of canopy rear bulge?

Canopy bulge is for better pilot visibility.

 

[Pink Panther]

IAFs Never Ending Demands may impact Delivery schedule Further.Question is when will b This Two Tejas MK1A will b delivered . all New Feauture developed will b tested so it may delay Further handing First Two Tejas MK1A over to IAF.

yes, that is the most scariest part, also they play games to import foreign 4th gen jets for MRFA.

 

[Pink Panther]

How to know which antenna is for what use - VHF, SDR,?
What is the use of canopy rear bulge?

it’s a good question.

 

[Chhole Bhature]

it’s a good question.

You know the answer ?

 

[Chhole Bhature]

Canopy bulge is for better pilot visibility.

But the bulge is at the rear of the canopy?

 

[Pink Panther]

You know the answer ?

if I ‘d have known I would have responded with an answer, I am not an aeronautical expert.

 

[NSR]

Too many changes too late in the program is never a good proposition at all.

Needs thorough testing and evaluations as some of them can change the aerodynamic characteristics of the Tejas IA from Tejas I. and need further tweaking of flight control systems, and possibly new qualifications too.

But I am almighty happy that it is finally here.
Kudos to every soul involved in the development and now manufacturing it.
Way to go India and now to WARP SPEED to manufacturing and developing Tejas Mk 2.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

IAFs Never Ending Demands may impact Delivery schedule Further.Question is when will b This Two Tejas MK1A will b delivered . all New Feauture developed will b tested so it may delay Further handing First Two Tejas MK1A over to IAF.

yes, certification of some new features is pending. IAF asked for those recently.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I was watching an interview of a retd group captain of IAF, and a defence writer regarding tejas development. IAF and HAL had decided to go for continuous upgrades at the beginning rather than upgrading the jet at mid life refit in 20 years. That is why tejas is entering mass production so late. The changes IAF demanded, took time to develop, and the option was there to mass produce tejas mk1 10 years ago, without upgrades, but IAF decided to incorporate these changes from the start, instead of adding them much later in mid life refit, sort of like what we are doing with super sukhoi.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

All good information courtesy of the Osint community. This proves that the folks at ADA/HAL have been upto something and not twiddling thumbs.

That said, I hope HAL will not come out clarifying on the findings. Common people need not be aware of every intricacies of a platform, lest our enemies start taking notice.

Hope the staff at HAL will pick up from here and show sincerety in delivering to their best capacity. Its much needed because our dwindling squadron strength has left a big gaping hole in our sceurity preparedness.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

I was watching an interview of a retd group captain of IAF, and a defence writer regarding tejas development. IAF and HAL had decided to go for continuous upgrades at the beginning rather than upgrading the jet at mid life refit in 20 years. That is why tejas is entering mass production so late. The changes IAF demanded, took time to develop, and the option was there to mass produce tejas mk1 10 years ago, without upgrades, but IAF decided to incorporate these changes from the start, instead of adding them much later in mid life refit, sort of like what we are doing with super sukhoi.

IAF will have little idea of supply chain, it is expected. But it is also expected that HAL, being a industrial manufacturing house, would know of and sensititize IAF of the delay this approach of hot-patching in middle of a product lifecycle would entail. Considering we are dangerously low on aircraft inventory for the armed forces.

I hope it was all a conscious decision and there is some method to all this madness.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

IAF will have little idea of supply chain, it is expected. But it is also expected that HAL, being a industrial manufacturing house, would know of and sensititize IAF of the delay this approach of hot-patching in middle of a product lifecycle would entail. Considering we are dangerously low on aircraft inventory for the armed forces.

I hope it was all a conscious decision and there is some method to all this madness.

both army and IAF doe this kind of stuff. There was a CAG report on arjun project. You can read it if you want, it is very depressing. Navy is the only one which has got its act together. I think it is because, navy designs its own ships. It has its own directorate of naval design. Also, navy officers generally are of science and engineering background. Cant say same thing about army and IAF people.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

both army and IAF doe this kind of stuff. There was a CAG report on arjun project. You can read it if you want, it is very depressing. Navy is the only one which has got its act together. I think it is because, navy designs its own ships. It has its own directorate of naval design. Also, navy officers generally are of science and engineering background. Cant say same thing about army and IAF people.

And navy also has the least budget among all three wings of the Military.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

And navy also has the least budget among all three wings of the Military.

this is typical case of the neglected kid, going on to become the most successful because due to hardship (no pun intended), he became stronger lol.

 

[Rational Guy]

both army and IAF doe this kind of stuff. There was a CAG report on arjun project. You can read it if you want, it is very depressing. Navy is the only one which has got its act together. I think it is because, navy designs its own ships. It has its own directorate of naval design. Also, navy officers generally are of science and engineering background. Cant say same thing about army and IAF people.

What did the CAG report on Arjun say???

 

[Rational Guy]

All good information courtesy of the Osint community. This proves that the folks at ADA/HAL have been upto something and not twiddling thumbs.

That said, I hope HAL will not come out clarifying on the findings. Common people need not be aware of every intricacies of a platform, lest our enemies start taking notice.

Hope the staff at HAL will pick up from here and show sincerety in delivering to their best capacity. Its much needed because our dwindling squadron strength has left a big gaping hole in our sceurity preparedness.

We need all Mk1as ordered by 2030 ASAP. At least to face P0rks and their JF17 Block 3.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

What did the CAG report on Arjun say???

Basically, army had given a set of requirements to DRDO. When DRDO designed and built the tanks according to the requirements, the tank was very heavy. It was in the category of abrams and leopard 2 and merkava tanks. Basically a heavy MBT. The army complained that the tank was tok heavy and it would be difficult to transport it across the many bridges over canals in rajasthan, and other weight related issues.

The army then went on to buy 1000+ T90 tanks. Many of which were imported directly.

The irony is that the T90 tanks did not meet the requirements that the army had given to DRDO. The CAG report pointed this out. Basically some sort of shady deal was done to profut the russians. Maybe some army guys engaged in corruption. No investigation was done.

A similar thing has happened with ak203 joint production. The rifles are facing manufacturing issues, and are tok expensive to produce in India. It would be much cheaper to buy them from russia. It is a big failure. Right now some compromise is being sorted out.