City lab flies high with Tejas’ induction into IAF

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 4

The induction of the indigenously developed light combat aircraft, Tejas, into the Indian Air Force (IAF) is also an important landmark for the city-based laboratory, Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO). The aircraft cockpit’s Head-up Display (HUD), a vital equipment for pilots, was designed and developed by the CSIO.

Scientists at the CSIO had developed the prototype versions of the HUD and after flight certification, had transferred the technology to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for commercial production. The HUD is an integral part of the Tejas’ modern glass cockpit.

The HUD is an electro-optical unit which superimposes vital flight parameters such as airspeed, altitude, rate of turn, compass direction as well as the armament status on the pilot’s vision of the outside world. It is installed above the cockpit’s instrument panel with its screen at about the pilot’s eye level and enables the pilot to get all required information about the flight configuration even while scanning the skies outside, thereby allowing him to fly the aircraft with his “head up”.

Since the pilot does not have to change his line of sight or visual accommodation by peering repeatedly at his instrument panel inside the cockpit, the HUD reduces his workload and reaction time while enabling him to take split-second decisions and enhancing his weapon-aiming capability.

So far, about 68 HUD units have been manufactured by BEL, which is being assisted in the project by the CSIO. Another order from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, that is manufacturing the Tejas, for the supply of 100 units is expected. 

The CSIO has also developed a HUD for the Tejas’ naval variant, which was flight-tested last year. This version has different specifications from the IAF’s variant because the configuration of the cockpit and airframe of the two variants is different. Another HUD for the HJT trainer aircraft was also developed by the CSIO.