The proposal on the Kaveri-Snecma engine joint venture for LCA Tejas continues to be under consideration, says Defense Minister Shri AK Antony. Photo Credit: Vijainder K Thakur/Sawf NewsDecember 14, 2009, (Sawf News) - The proposal on the Kaveri-Snecma engine joint venture for LCA Tejas continues to be under consideration, says Defense Minister Shri AK Antony.
In a written reply to a question, the minister told the Lok Sabha that RFPs for 99 Tejas LCA Mk-II engines had been received from the manufacturers for the two short-listed engines - GE F414 from General Electric Aviation, USA and EJ200 from Eurojet Germany.
The proposals, which include technical, commercial and TOT bids were received on December 11, 2009, a day ahead of the deadline on December 12.
Snecama - Kaveri
DRDO has offered to co-develop and co-produce 90 kN thrust class upgraded Kaveri engine with M/s Snecma, France to meet LCA Mk-2 requirements within 48 months from the date of project inception.
DRDO and M/s Snecma will be jointly responsible for engine design, development, flight trials and certification in Tejas.
The modified Kaveri engine will match the performance of the F414 and EJ2000 throughout the flight envelope of Tejas.
Minimum changes are required in the airframe to integrate this engine without affecting the weight and configuration of Tejas.
The Indian Air Force is inclined towards a proven engine that is already in production and flight worthy for meeting immediate requirement.
Genesis
In September 2008, it was announced that the Kaveri would not be ready in time for the Tejas, and that an alternative power plant would have to be selected.
Tejas LCA. Photo Credit: Vijainder K Thakur/Sawf NewsThe re-engined LCA will be referred to as LCA Tejas Mk-2
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) issued a RFP for the supply of 99 engines with thrust in the 95-100 KN to power Tejas LCA Mk 2, which the agency hopes will fly in 2014.
The RFP indicates an optional follow-up for 49 more engines.
The initial batch of engines will be procured directly from the manufacturer with the rest being assembled at HAL.
The RFPs are currently being evaluated and a final decision on the new power plant is expected before March 2010.
It has been reported that Eurojet is proposing a thrust vectoring version of the EJ200 for the Tejas.
Bid Evaluation
DROD will pick the engine that requires minimum re-engineering and minimum acquisition + operating costs, says DRDO's Chief Controller of Aeronautics, Dipankar Banerjee.
Extensive re-engineering requirement could trigger a weight spiral, something the LCA is already plagued with.
DRDO has concerns about the EJ200's ability to withstand the corrosive salt-water naval environment and about F414's limited thrust without reheat, as also any export control restrictions that it comes packaged with.
News Copyright © Sawf News. May not be reproduced without explicit written permission