HAL TEDBF explained

The HAL Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is a canard delta wing, twin-engine, carrier-based, multirole combat aircraft currently under development for the Indian Navy. The TEDBF is being designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), and will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The TEDBF is intended to perform a multitude of missions, including air supremacy, air interdiction, anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), anti-ship warfare (ASW) and electronic warfare (EW) missions. The TEDBF is expected to replace the Mikoyan MiG-29K onboard the and the .[1] [2]

The programme was officially announced in 2020, in response to the Indian Navy's dissatisfaction in operating a single-engine carrier-based fighter based on the HAL Tejas, and its eventual withdrawal from the naval LCA programme in 2016. A model of the aircraft was displayed at Aero India 2021. The first flight is expected to be in 2026,[3] [4] [5] with production planned for 2031.[6]

The design's twin engines are expected to allow shorter take-offs from the Indian Navy’s Short Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) aircraft carriers.[1] As a dedicated deck-based fighter, it will feature foldable wings for more compact storage. The TEDBF will predominantly be equipped with indigenous weapons systems.[7] [8] [9]

Development

Naval LCA programme

See main article: HAL Tejas. The naval LCA programme to develop a carrier-based fighter for the Indian Navy was launched in 2003.[10] The ADA was entrusted with the task of designing and developing a new naval fighter based on the existing Tejas template. The programme was envisaged to be completed in two phases - in the first phase, two prototypes were to be built, based on the Tejas Mk. 1 design. In the second phase, two more prototypes were to be built based on the Tejas Mk. 2 design.[10] The programme was jointly funded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy, with the latter funding 40% and 60% of the developmental cost of naval LCA Mk. 1 and Mk. 2, respectively.[11] In 2009, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the development of Mk. 2 variant of the naval LCA.[12] The first naval prototype, a two-seater NP-1, was rolled out in 2010, and first flew on 27 April 2012.[13] By 2015, another naval LCA prototype, a single seater NP-2, had joined the programme, and carried out first ski jump assisted take off from a shore-based test facility (SBTF) in Goa.[14] [15] In December 2016, the Indian Navy opted out of the programme completely, with the cited reason being that the nav variant was 'overweight', and issued a fresh RFI for the immediate procurement of 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF).[16] [17] [18] The stalled programme was revived once again in 2018, under the oversight of the then Minister of Defence, Nirmala Sitharaman.[19] The flight tests were resumed with NP-1 and NP-2 for attaining technological maturity of the carrier based fighter.[20] By early 2020, the naval LCA had successfully carried out night-time arrested landing at the Goa SBTF, and carrier landing and take off on the aircraft carrier .[21] [22] [23]

TEDBF programme

In April 2020, the ADA announced work on a new naval fighter based on the Indian Navy's MRCBF 2016 requirement to replace the existing fleet of Mikoyan MiG-29K carrier-based fighters.[24] The new naval fighter unveiled at the Aero India airshow 2021 turned out to be of a twin engine, medium weight class fighter, now called Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF).[25] The experience gained in the Naval LCA (N-LCA) programme is expected to help in the development of the TEDBF.[26]

The Government of India approved the TEDBF project in mid-2020. The aircraft will have canards to increase the lifting surface area, and will employ two General Electric F414 engines. The first flight is expected in 2026.[27] According to Project Director TV Vinod Kumar, the estimated cost of four prototypes will be ₹14,000 crore. ADA is looking for joint development with Indian private sector. Indian Navy is planning the induction from 2032 when Mikoyan MiG-29K will start retiring. Upon the entry into service of the proposed, TEDBF will be modified for Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) operations.[28] As an interim measure, Navy will procure Rafale M or Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet until TEDBF is ready.[29] Due to the TEDBF project, the Indian Navy reduced their orders for foreign fighters from 57 aircraft to 26, including trainer variants.[30]

A proposed air force variant of the TEDBF design, called the Omni-Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA) weighing around 23 tonnes is also under study.[31] The Indian Air Force is expected to need more than 750 aircraft between 2030 and 2050. ORCA, if funded, would be developed in parallel to the HAL AMCA.[32] ADA will submit Preliminary Design Review on Q2 2023. The prototype will take 1,000 flights during test phase.[33] TEDBF is undergoing wind-tunnel testing. DRDO is conducting high speed modelling to test the supersonic characteristics using internal funds.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MiG-29K Aircraft Replacement, Indian TEDBF Breaks Cover at Aero India 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210202211826/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28882/MiG_29_K_Aircraft_Replacement__Indian_TEDBF_Breaks_Cover_at_Aero_India_2021#.YB6y32nhUwB . 2 February 2021 . 2021-02-06 . www.defenseworld.net.
  2. Web site: Sutton. H. I.. 2021-03-17. India's New Aircraft Carrier, Vikrant, May Get 5th-Generation Fighter. 2021-06-10. Naval News. en-US. 4 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210804004800/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/indias-new-aircraft-carrier-vikrant-may-get-5th-generation-fighter/. live.
  3. Web site: February 2, 2021. Chethan. Kumar. Aero India to kick off on Wednesday. 2021-02-04. The Times of India. en. 2 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210202081658/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/aero-india-to-kick-off-on-wednesday/articleshow/80643782.cms. live.
  4. Web site: Jha. Manish Kumar. DRDO's Light Tank Will Be Power Pack As "The Highest Altitude Operable Tank In The Globe": G. Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO. 2021-03-11. BW Businessworld. en.
  5. Web site: Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) Aircraft to take first flight in 2026 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230717084530/https://infotonline.com/ . 17 July 2023 . 5 June 2020 . INFOTONLINE.
  6. Web site: 2022-01-01. Interview with Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy. 2022-04-15. VayuAerospace.IN. en-US. 20 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220520071217/https://www.vayuaerospace.in/Issue/202203031244324118.pdf. live.
  7. Web site: Jennings . Gareth . 4 February 2021 . Aero India 2021: Indian TEDBF naval fighter showcased by HAL . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210806144616/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/aero-india-2021-indian-tedbf-naval-fighter-showcased-by-hal . 6 August 2021 . 2021-02-04 . Janes.com . en.
  8. Web site: India offers LCA Tejas trainer variant to US Navy: Report. 2021-02-04. The Week. en. 22 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210922230916/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tejas-mark-ii-to-roll-out-next-year-high-speed-trials-in-2023-hal-chief-madhavan/article33708634.ece. live.
  9. Web site: January 17, 2021. Sandeep. Unnithan. Tejas gets wings. 2021-02-04. India Today. en. 16 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210216035020/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20210125-tejas-gets-wings-1759577-2021-01-17. live.
  10. Web site: ADA LCA Navy Programme. 9 June 2021. 10 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210510142428/https://www.ada.gov.in/ada/navy-mark1-mark2.html. live.
  11. News: 2017-12-01 . India's first indigenous aircraft carrier to join Navy by 2022: Sunil Lanba . Business Standard India . live . 2021-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210609174337/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-s-first-indigenous-aircraft-carrier-to-join-navy-by-2022-sunil-lanba-117120100940_1.html . 9 June 2021.
  12. Krishnan M., Anantha. "Indian Navy fastens its seatbelt for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas." Daily News and Analysis, 23 June 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  13. Kumar, Chethan. "LCA naval variant's first flight on Friday." Deccan Herald, 25 April 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  14. News: 7 February 2015 . Maiden flight by 2nd prototype of LCA Tejas' naval variant . The Economic Times . live . 2021-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210609182000/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/maiden-flight-by-2nd-prototype-of-lca-tejas-naval-variant/articleshow/46156784.cms . 9 June 2021.
  15. News: Peri. Dinakar. 2014-12-23. Naval LCA makes first flight from ski-jump. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-06-09. 0971-751X. 9 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210609181958/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/naval-lca-makes-first-flight-from-skijump/article6717318.ece. live.
  16. News: 26 January 2017 . India seeks new naval fighter to replace rejected Tejas LCA . IHS Jane's 360 . dead . 23 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170224131630/http://www.janes.com/article/67252/india-seeks-new-naval-fighter-to-replace-rejected-tejas-lca . 24 February 2017.
  17. News: Navy rejects Tejas, says 'overweight' fighter does not meet its requirements. indiatimes.com. 2 December 2016 . 27 January 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161206075145/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Navy-rejects-Tejas-says-overweight-fighter-does-not-meet-its-requirements/articleshow/55756350.cms . 6 December 2016.
  18. Web site: Indian Navy rejects naval version of Tejas LCA, seeks alternative – IHS Jane's 360 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161220075020/http://www.janes.com/article/65993/indian-navy-rejects-naval-version-of-tejas-lca-seeks-alternative . 20 December 2016 . 27 January 2017 . janes.com.
  19. News: Back From Dead: Navy's Tejas Fighter Preps For Tests on Aircraft Carrier . NDTV . 2 August 2018 . 2 March 2019 . Som . Vishnu . 6 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044257/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-navys-forgotten-tejas-jet-is-readying-for-tests-on-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikramaditya-1894097 . live .
  20. News: Naval version of Tejas undergoes successful tests . The Economic Times . 2 August 2018 . 2 March 2019 . 6 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190306051258/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lca-tejas-makes-maiden-engagement-with-indigenous-arrester-hook/articleshow/65247454.cms . live .
  21. Web site: 13 November 2019 . LCA Navy makes successful night time arrested landing in Goa . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507144556/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lca-tejas-naval-variant-makes-successful-night-time-arrested-landing-at-sbtf-goa20191113172502/ . 7 May 2021 . 2021-06-09 . ANI News . en.
  22. News: Peri. Dinakar. 2020-01-11. Naval variant of LCA Tejas successfully lands on carrier. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-06-09. 0971-751X. 24 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200624192656/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/naval-variant-of-lca-tejas-successfully-lands-on-carrier/article30541842.ece. live.
  23. Web site: 2020-01-12. With ski jump, naval light combat aircraft takes off from INS Vikramaditya for 1st time. 2021-06-09. Hindustan Times. en. 12 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200112140928/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/naval-light-combat-aircraft-takes-off-from-ins-vikramaditya-for-first-time/story-8mfMD9bvwPBj6KqrB20UnI.html. live.
  24. Web site: Sutton. H. I.. 2021-03-17. India's New Aircraft Carrier, Vikrant, May Get 5th-Generation Fighter. 2021-06-09. Naval News. en-US. 4 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210804004800/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/indias-new-aircraft-carrier-vikrant-may-get-5th-generation-fighter/. live.
  25. Web site: Chandra . Atul . 9 February 2021 . New Delhi forges ahead with new naval fighter, AMCA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210604203653/https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/new-delhi-forges-ahead-with-new-naval-fighter-amca/142338.article . 4 June 2021 . 2021-06-09 . Flight Global . en.
  26. Web site: Siddiqui . Huma . 2 December 2019 . Light Combat Aircraft for Indian Navy: DRDO updates naval aircraft's progress . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210208093937/https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/light-combat-aircraft-for-indian-navy-drdo-updates-naval-aircrafts-progess/1782008/ . 8 February 2021 . 8 February 2021.
  27. News: Raj. Aditya. 2020-06-05. Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) Aircraft to take first flight in 2026. Infotonline. 2021-02-09. 10 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210073756/https://infotonline.com/tedbf-to-take-first-flight-in-2026/. live.
  28. Web site: Dutta . Amrita Nayak . 2022-10-21 . 'Development of Indigenous Deck Based Fighters to Replace Navy's MiG-29 Fleet on Track': ADA Official . 2022-10-22 . News18 . en . 22 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221022132156/https://www.news18.com/news/india/development-of-indigenous-deck-based-fighters-to-replace-navys-mig-29-fleet-on-track-ada-official-6212815.html . live .
  29. Web site: Philip . Snehesh Alex . 2022-08-25 . Rafale or Super Hornets are 'interim arrangement' only, says Navy on mega fighter deal . 2022-10-22 . ThePrint . en-US . 22 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221022132628/https://theprint.in/defence/rafale-or-super-hornets-are-interim-arrangement-only-says-navy-on-mega-fighter-deal/1099609/ . live .
  30. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2022-11-11 . Twin engine carrier-based fighter for Navy could be inducted by 2031-32 . en-IN . The Hindu . 2022-11-14 . 0971-751X . 14 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221114100126/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/twin-engine-carrier-based-fighter-for-navy-could-be-inducted-by-2031-32/article66124792.ece . live .
  31. Web site: Sinha . Amartya . 16 May 2023 . Indigenous combat jets and Kaveri turbofan engine: All About IAF's new aerospace plan . 2023-12-29 . India Today . en.
  32. News: Som. Vishnu. 2020-01-05. NDTV Exclusive: First Look At Futuristic Variant Of India's Tejas Fighter. New Delhi. NDTV. 2021-02-09. 11 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200111073434/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/if-developed-this-futuristic-variant-of-tejas-could-match-iafs-rafale-jets-2159016. live.
  33. News: Kadidal . Akhil . Design of India's naval fighter approaching preliminary completion . 14 November 2022 . Janes . 3 November 2022 . 14 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221114090024/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/design-of-indias-naval-fighter-approaching-preliminary-completion . live .

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