Final Operational Clearance-standard Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas prototype SP-21, flown by Air Cmde KA Muthana, Retd, Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), on 17 March 2020, achieved the momentous feat within a record time of 12 months after release of Drawing Applicability List (DAL) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by CEMILAC.
The FOC Tejas is said to be more advanced and was developed with improvements suggested after inducting LCA Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in IAF. It imbibes a lot of manufacturing improvements which were based on the operational feedback of LCA IOC fleet with IAF. ".
Range
The biggest criticism of the LCA Tejas IOC version was its limited range and fuel carrying capacity. The IOC Tejas currently carries two fixed tanks of 1,200 and 800 litre capacity. The FOC-Standard Tejas now gets an additional tank with 725-litre capacity installed in the central line, just at the centre of fuselage.
Mid-Air Refueling
To enhance the range further, the FOC Tejas further gets a mid-air refueling probe for the very first time, which means, it can fly for longer missions without worrying much about the fuel. This however, will increase the radar cross section of the indigenous jet, which otherwise has a small radar signature thanks to its compact design.
Auto Cannon
The FOC Tejas carries a Gsh-23 auto cannon with twin barrel 23 mm gun. The auto cannon now has better software and has been tested on ground. Soon, the cannon will be tested for its air combat capabilities.
BVR Missiles
The LCA FOC Tejas will also carry the Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles in future. Astra is home-made BVR air-to-air missile with 110 km range. Currently Tejas carries Derby BVR sourced from Israel.
Agility
The FOC Tejas will have a better maneuverability and agility that will help Tejas to touch 8G force at lower speed, increasing its flying envelope. Tejas can manoeuvre from -3G to 8G. To achieve such agility, changes have been made to the mechanical system including the flaps. This will also help Tejas to save itself from incoming missiles by quickly pulling a 8G move without stalling mid-air.
