Tejas MkII Program Prioritizes Adaptable Software to Ensure Easy Integration of New Weapons & Tech

In an era where warfare is becoming increasingly digital, the Indian Air Force's Tejas MkII program is placing a high priority on adaptable software, recognizing it as a key factor in maintaining the fighter jet's combat effectiveness and longevity.

Unlike traditional software development for military aircraft, which often involves lengthy development and testing cycles, the Tejas MkII's software is designed for rapid adaptability. This allows the IAF to update and iterate functionalities within weeks, enabling the jet to remain at the cutting edge in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

The Tejas MkII features a significant upgrade in sensors and avionics, including a Wide Area Display (WAD), creating a complex information environment for the pilot. Advanced software will play a critical role in seamlessly integrating and presenting this data to the pilot in a clear and actionable format, fostering quicker decision-making and enhanced situational awareness.

The software architecture itself is being designed with openness in mind. While core functionalities remain intact, the tactical management portion can be readily upgraded, ensuring the aircraft can seamlessly integrate new weapons and technologies as they become available, thus significantly extending its operational life.

The Bangalore-based Software Development Institute (SDI), in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), has been entrusted with the responsibility of developing this critical software. Their expertise will span not only combat-oriented software but also software for maintenance and periodic checks, streamlining the entire lifecycle of the Tejas MkII.

Developing software for a fighter jet is a massive undertaking involving thousands of lines of code, each playing a vital role in the aircraft's performance, weapon systems integration, and pilot safety. With the Tejas MkII's expanded weapon arsenal, the software's complexity will inevitably increase, demanding even more robust and efficient coding practices.

By prioritizing adaptable software, the Tejas MkII program is not only ensuring that the aircraft remains combat-ready for years to come but also showcasing India's growing prowess in the field of aerospace software development.

 

[sanket]

Very Good development , same should b develop for other Fighters too Especially Su-30 MKI, Combat-oriented software is crucial Fighters jets are going to stay for 40 to 50 years ,Changes are going to happen in weapon package as the time passes .Now a days Fighter jet needs contemporary weapon package.

 

[NSR]

There is nothing new in this article at all.
It is exactly what happens all over the world.
The initial hardware and software will be continuously upgraded with the evolution of technologies over time.
Just as an example, the present day F-16 has no resemblance to original F-16A/B.

I hoped that they wrote some thing about the status of prototype and timelines.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

Better India ink deal with USA to make F-36 (-5th gen) fighter here in Indian in collaboration with ADA+TATA+HAL and make a internal weapon bay variant of Tejas-AF-II and also hire Lockheed Martin to extend tech support to make AMCA without much delay !

 

[Kira]

Software would be upgraded as it is an indigenous platform.

 

[Sandeep]

All software is changeable and upgradable. Usually you only change the software when you change the hardware. Once a software is built based on the technology, equipment and hardware then it stays the same unless there is a fault in which case the software had errors and should never or been installed or you change the equipment.

 

[Sharan]

Very Good development , same should b develop for other Fighters too Especially Su-30 MKI, Combat-oriented software is crucial Fighters jets are going to stay for 40 to 50 years ,Changes are going to happen in weapon package as the time passes .Now a days Fighter jet needs contemporary weapon package.

HAL employees are the ones who are invisible in the canteen all the time not doing their job.

 

[PKPRS]

Very Good development , same should b develop for other Fighters too Especially Su-30 MKI, Combat-oriented software is crucial Fighters jets are going to stay for 40 to 50 years ,Changes are going to happen in weapon package as the time passes .Now a days Fighter jet needs contemporary weapon package.

This is common with evey 4.5+ fighter jets, everything is driven by software, there is nothing new.

 

[Pramkumar]

to run the software we need the hardware. So first we need to make the flying aircraft to have such software. otherwise we can play those game in our laptops and mobiles.

 

[SK]

This is a good indication that Indian-Govt should consider to cancel MRFA & instead:-

(1) Invest in Additional 18 to 36 Rafale-Jets for IAF with spare-parts being manufactured under "Make-in-India" program.

(2) Encourage a JV b/w IAF & IN to invest in:-
(a) TEDBF (ORCA)
(b) AMCA

This will insure Logistical synergy & Economy of Scales of Indian Military & Aerospace industry.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

More details needed. Which language used. How many persons involved. Ai used or not . There is lot of scope sir.

 

[Akshat]

HAL employees are the ones who are invisible in the canteen all the time not doing their job.

They are visible only in the canteens bro

 

[Akshat]

All software is changeable and upgradable. Usually you only change the software when you change the hardware. Once a software is built based on the technology, equipment and hardware then it stays the same unless there is a fault in which case the software had errors and should never or been installed or you change the equipment.

Don’t know why you comment on things you have no idea about again and again.

Software updates are routine in the tech world. For example, latest fighters have software defined radios. You can modify that software for newer encryption algorithms even when no hardware is changed and there is no fault.

Modern fighters also have pilot friendly displays. These displays can have upgrades to display the data and controls in a manner that is more user friendly.

Then, there can be software upgrades for better data fusion.

Then, we are looking at MUMT concepts. These will necessitate software upgrades even more.

Some fighters also use innovative ways of inputs and outputs. Say, voice commands. Software upgrades for better usage will be required.

There are so many things for which a modern fighter can pull require upgrades to its softwares.

 

[Sandeep]

Don’t know why you comment on things you have no idea about again and again.

Software updates are routine in the tech world. For example, latest fighters have software defined radios. You can modify that software for newer encryption algorithms even when no hardware is changed and there is no fault.

Modern fighters also have pilot friendly displays. These displays can have upgrades to display the data and controls in a manner that is more user friendly.

Then, there can be software upgrades for better data fusion.

Then, we are looking at MUMT concepts. These will necessitate software upgrades even more.

Some fighters also use innovative ways of inputs and outputs. Say, voice commands. Software upgrades for better usage will be required.

There are so many things for which a modern fighter can pull require upgrades to its softwares.

Again you don’t read what I say carefully at all and then comment without thinking. I said that all software is changeable and upgradable. I’m mainly talking about a jets computer in general and the major important technology that’s been developed and installed and not software defined radios where you can change or upgrade the encryption.

A jets computer is not like a normal laptop where you can make many changes to the software without changing the hardware to a certain extent.

Having a pilot friendly display is different and usually they are designed from the start to be user friendly anyway but you can tweak them a little bit. A jets computer uses all of the data it receives from the technology, sensors and equipment that has been installed and you can’t make major improvements or changes to how the data is displayed and relayed to the pilot unless you change and install better and modern equipment or sensors and technology than the previously installed hardware. You can also make minor tweaks to it to a certain extent.

As for installing new technology and equipment to improve the jets performance like voice commands, MUMT or major changes then that can be done if the jets computer can handle the additional programs installed, processing speed and amount of data that can be saved or rewritten etc. So installing new software can be done if that hardware can cope and handle it but eventually the more changes you make and add it does impact the computer.