Tejas Mk1A

Why in news?

• The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the much awaited Rs 48,000-crore deal for 83 LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas aircraft in Mk1A configuration.

About HAL Tejas:

• HAL Tejas is an indigenous single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter aircraft developed for the the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. 
• It was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.

Features:

• Tejas is constructed of aluminium-lithium alloys, carbon-fibre composites, and titanium alloys.
• It has a maximum speed of 1.8 mach and range of 850 km.
• It is the second supersonic fighter developed by HAL after the HAL HF-24 Marut.
• The Tejas Mk-1A is fourth-generation fighter with critical operational capabilities that include an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, and is capable of air-to-air refuelling (AAR).
• It also has Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile capabilities.

HAL Tejas Mk2

• It is a planned further development of Tejas Mk1A.
• The Mk2 will be a Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) and will be a  single-engine, delta wing, multirole fighter.
• It too will be designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding LCA Tejas aircraft:
1.It is a single engine, single seat fighter aircraft.
2.It is the second supersonic fighter developed in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims Question