Tejas Starts after Overnight Soak in Extreme Cold

Posted on 29th Jan 2015 03:45 pm by mohit kumar

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) In another landmark for indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the aircraft was successfully started thrice after an overnight soak in the extreme cold of Ladakh, where the temperature dropped to minus 15 degrees Celsius.

"With three consecutive start-ups of its engine after overnight soak in extreme cold conditions of the Ladakh winter, that too without any external assistance, Tejas, the Indian LCA has achieved yet another and a rare distinction," a defence ministry statement said here Wednesday.

"Starting the fighter aircraft under such extreme condition without any external assistance or heating is a technology challenge. The requirements become further stringent when the starting is to be done three times consecutively with a partially charged battery," the statement said.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar earlier this month handed over the first Tejas to Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.

As a single-engine multi-role supersonic fighter, Tejas, which is 60 percent indigenous, is set to replace the IAF's ageing Russia-made MiG-21 fleet when inducted in six squadrons after defence regulator Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (Cemilac) certifies it for Final Operational Clearance (FOC) later this year.

It has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The engine starter has been developed indigenously by HAL Aero Engine Research and Design Centre (AERDC) in Bengaluru.

Prior to aircraft tests, the Jet Fuel Starter (JFS) was extensively tested to meet starting conditions across the operating altitudes including Leh (10,700 feet) and Khardungla (18,300 feet).

Other news

Cyclone Sitrang: More than 1100 people from 83 villages were affected by Cyclone Sitrang in Assam, with heavy damage to crops

The situation in Assam remains worrying due to Cyclone Sitrang. Here more than 1100 people from a

Asia Cup 2023: After winning the title of Asia Cup 2023, Captain Rohit now has his eyes on the World Cup, said- 'Burst crackers after WC'

Colombo Indian captain Rohit Sharma said after the tremendous victory over Sri Lanka in the final

Referring to Goddess Durga, Rajnath Singh praised Indira Gandhi, said – had led even in war

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has praised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi fiercely. Speaking

Kejriwal urged to implement schemes for street kids

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) A federation of street and working children has put forth their demand

CSK vs PBKS: Punjab's fourth win against Chennai at Chepauk, hopes of reaching playoffs remain intact

Based on excellent batting by Jonny Bairstow and Riley Rossouw, Punjab Kings defeated C

I am not a Rubber Stamp CM: Jitan Ram Manjhi

Patna, Feb 13 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Friday said his predecessor and seni

Russia's New Military Bases: What is the roadmap of the Russian army to deal with NATO? The Baltic region may become the new battle of the cold war, know - an expert view

With Russia and Ukraine joining the war and Finland and Sweden joining NATO, a Cold War-like situ

Manish Sisodia appeared in CBI court today: bail plea was filed in trial court yesterday after reprimand from SC

Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, arrested in the Delhi Liquor Policy case, will be produced in th

Credit Suisse: How the 166-year-old bank reached this condition, 10 key things about the deal with UBS

Credit Suisse, a 166-year-old Swiss bank that has become a threat to the global banking system, h

Bilkis Bano Case: 'Justice will be served only by hanging the culprits or keeping them in jail for the rest of their life', said the only eyewitness in the Bilkis Bano case.

The sole eyewitness of the Bilkis Bano case has said that those convicted of this heinous crime s