In yet another shot in the arm towards making India atmanirbhar in defence sector, state-owned aerospace and defence firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is all set to indigenously-develop radio altimeters for the ‘Dornier Do-228’ – a light transport aircraft used by the Indian Armed Forces and for the civilian operations.
It is noteworthy that the made-in-India radio altimeters will replace the foreign-made gadgets presently being used in the aircraft. Further, HAL has invited the Indian startups and defence firms to design and development and subsequent supply of fully assembled radio altimeters.
Deciphering radio altimeter
HAL in December 2021 floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for radio altimeters for the HAL Dornier Do-228.
The RFP mentioned that a new radio altimeter for the Do-228 was an “immediate requirement.” Presently, the Dorniers are equipped with the Collins ALT-4000 radio altimeter that is manufactured by Collins Aerospace, a US-based subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies that also has a manufacturing firm in India.
The imperativeness of the radio altimeter can be measured with the accurate altitude information it provides to the cockpit crew during low altitude flight, generally up to a height of about 2,500 ft. The radio altimeter consists of a receiver transmitter and antennae for exchange of information with ground stations.
The Transport Aircraft Division (TAD) of HAL located at Kanpur, UP, currently manufactures DO-228 aircraft and also specializes in aircraft up-gradation, role equipment integration, manufacture, repair & overhaul of various transport, commuter & trainer aircraft for military and civil operators.
More than 140 Do-228 aircraft produced by HAL are presently in service in India and overseas, primarily with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and the Coast Guard.
HAL’s biggest ever pact with BEL for LCA Tejas systems
In a major boost to Indian Defence Forces, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) inked a contract with Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the development and supply of 20 types of systems for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A in December 2021.
The five-year contract spanning from 2023 to 2028, involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), flight control computers and night flying LRUs. The Rs 2,400 crore contract is the biggest ever order that HAL has placed with any Indian firm.
Understanding the modus operandi of orders
Under the agreement, the supply of these systems for 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter fleet will be executed by two Divisions of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at Bengaluru and Panchkula in Haryana. Further, all the contracted items will be delivered by BEL to HAL in a ready to board condition.
Deliveries under 83 Tejas Mk1A order to the Indian Air Force (IAF) will start from FY 2023-24 onwards. As per the contract, the home-grown fighter jet will be equipped with indigenous flight control computers, and air data computers which would also be built by BEL. Notably, these critical systems have been designed and developed by various labs of DRDO and Aeronautical Development Agency, Bengaluru.
Rs 48,000 crore deal for 83 Tejas fighter jets
In a whopping ₹48,000 crore deal with state-run aerospace & defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the Indian government ordered 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for the Indian Air Force in February 2021.
Tejas is a single-engine, highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft. The fighter jet has a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire Flight Control System (FCS) along with associated advanced flight control laws.
The aircraft’s delta wing is designed for ‘air combat’ and ‘offensive air support’ with ‘reconnaissance’ and ‘anti-ship’ as its secondary roles, which allows the aircraft to operate in the high-threat air environment. Further, extensive use of advanced composites in the airframe provides a high strength to weight ratio, long fatigue life, and low radar signatures to the aircraft.
