Tejas Mk1A’s Digital Flight Control Computer Integrated and Successfully Flown

New Delhi, Feb 21: In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s defense capabilities, the Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) has been successfully integrated into prototype LSP7 of the Tejas Mk1A program and flown by the Indian Air Force.

The successful flight, conducted on Monday, marked a crucial milestone in the Tejas Mk1A program, showcasing the indigenous development prowess of the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru.

The DFCC boasts a Quadraplex Power PC-based Processor, high-speed autonomous state machine-based I/O controller, enhanced computational throughput, and complex on-board software complied to DO178C level-A safety requirements.

Under the skilled piloting of Wg Cdr Siddarth Singh KMJ (Retd) from the National Flight Test Centre, the maiden flight of the aircraft equipped with DFCC demonstrated satisfactory performance across all critical parameters of the flight controls.

The Aeronautical Development Agency, operating under the Department of Defence R&D and Ministry of Defence, has successfully certified the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), further cementing India’s capabilities in the aviation sector.

The Tejas Mk1A, an advanced iteration of the Tejas LCA, incorporates several upgrades including an advanced mission computer, high-performance DFCC, Smart Multi-Function Displays (SMFD), Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Advanced Self-protection Jammer, and Electronic Warfare Suit.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the collaborative efforts of the DRDO, IAF, ADA, and industries involved in the development and successful flight test of the DFCC for Tejas Mk1A. He hailed it as a significant stride towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharata’ (self-reliance) in defense technology, emphasizing the reduction in dependence on special imports.

This successful integration and flight of the DFCC for Tejas Mk1A underscore India’s growing prowess in indigenous defense aviation technology, paving the way for further advancements in the country’s defense capabilities.