CSIR Lab Bags Order From HAL To Manufacture Air-Frame Components That Will Make LCA Tejas 20 Per Cent Lighter

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) today announced an order worth Rs 100 crore to supply critical composite air-frame components to the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas that is being manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), according to a release by the Press Information Bureau.

Composite components that form a critical set in the fourth generation fighter aircraft was indigenously developed by CSIR-NAL due to sanctions from foreign countries. They are used in the main fuselage, landing gear, fins, rudders and wing spars.

Using co-cured composite components, CSIR says that it has reduced the time required on the assembly line by 30 per cent and the number of components by 40 per cent in comparison to a standard metallic air frame. It has also contributed to reducing the overall weight of the air-frame by 20 per cent.

CSIR-NAL initially started with technology demonstrations, before moving on to developing prototypes, and standard production of aircraft.