Tejas LCA Showcases HAL's Proficiency in Composite Material Applications for Enhanced Aircraft Performance and Stealth

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program has significantly advanced Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) expertise in composite materials, marking a crucial step forward for Indian aerospace technology.

This progress demonstrates that composites not only contribute to lighter aircraft but also play a vital role in reducing radar cross-section (RCS), enhancing stealth capabilities.

HAL's experience with composites in the Tejas program is extensive, with approximately 45% of the aircraft's structure composed of composite materials, including carbon composites. This has resulted in a significant weight reduction – up to 20% in the airframe – leading to improved fuel efficiency and extended combat range or endurance. The Tejas, with its composite construction, stands as one of the lightest fighters in its class, a testament to HAL's ability to leverage advanced materials for aerospace applications.

Beyond weight reduction, composites in the Tejas contribute significantly to reducing its RCS. Composites, particularly carbon composites, possess properties that scatter radar waves, making the aircraft less detectable by enemy radar systems. This stealth enhancement is crucial in modern combat scenarios where evading detection can be decisive. Furthermore, the Tejas incorporates design elements like radar-absorbent materials and twisted air-intake ducts to further minimize its radar signature.

While composites are generally more expensive than traditional metals like aluminum, the strategic benefits they offer often outweigh the initial cost. The investment in composites can be seen as a trade-off for long-term gains in performance, capability, and reduced operational costs due to their durability and ease of maintenance.

Comparing the Tejas to other high-end combat aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Flanker) highlights the value proposition of composites. While the Flanker has been a significant expenditure for the Indian Air Force, investing slightly more in the Tejas for its composite advantages could result in a substantial leap in capability, particularly in stealth and agility.

The argument for composites in the Tejas extends beyond cost-benefit analysis. It's about achieving a strategic military advantage and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The Tejas, with its advanced composite structure, represents an indigenous solution that strengthens India's defence capabilities and technological sovereignty.

 

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[sanket]

Congrats HAL for building the first composite material fighter jet without any experience assembling any foreign fighter jet with similar tech. Further, can HAL/IAF agree on building the next 12 Su-30 MKIs based on a composite material airframe rather than reducing metal?

 

[narasingha satapathy]

Composite expertise has been available with HAL since the 90s with the design and development of ALH, where 80 percent of the structure is made using composite materials, starting from primary dynamic/static structures like main and tail rotor blades, rotor heads, ARIS spring, etc. Composites are not new for HAL.

 

[AK S]

Composite expertise has been available with HAL since the 90s with the design and development of ALH, where 80 percent of the structure is made using composite materials, starting from primary dynamic/static structures like main and tail rotor blades, rotor heads, ARIS spring, etc. Composites are not new for HAL.

That's true. However two things we should note - we import the raw material. Second, there has been lot of advances in composites and we lag behind by a mile. Having said that, we continue to make progress and gap is closing.

 

[Mango_Indian]

When will the production rate of Tejas fighters improve from current 4/year, that too in a good year? That is the billion dollar question to which no one has any answer.

Even for Tejas Mk1A, no deliveries as scheduled citing engine delivery delays. Are the entire fuselages built? Tomorrow if GE delivers 10 engines in 1 batch, will 6 Tejas Mk1A fighters be delivered to IAF ? Everyone knows the answer. Nation has to move out of HAL blackmail.

 

[tipoo2]

The Tejas has a naturally lowish RCS with its very small body and large use of composites over metals. I wonder if an interim thing we could do is make a quicker variant of it with minimal changes but with all the RCS reducing features we can relatively easily do, such as sawtooth panel joins, potential radar blocker inlets and so on. China is doing this already with its fourth gen fleet.