GE’s F414 Engines

June 24, 2023

Recently, the American multinational corporation General Electric (GE) announced it had signed an agreement with India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to make GE’s F414 engines for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2.

About GE’s F414 Engines:

  • It is a turbofan engine which has been in use by the US Navy for more than 30 years.
  • It is featured with advanced technology such as Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) — the latest aircraft ignition and engine control system that controls engine performance digitally.
  • Only eight nations have F414-powered aircraft in operation in the world.

Key facts about LCA Mk2

  • It is an advanced version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, which is being used by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • It is capable of integrating all indigenous weapon systems and a number of foreign armaments along with eight Beyond Visual Range Missiles (BVRMs).
  • No other fighter aircraft of this class is capable of carrying eight BVR missiles simultaneously.
  • It will have a mission endurance of 120 minutes and is capable of carrying 6.5 tonnes of weapons payload.
  • It will be equipped with standoff weapon systems. The weaponry will also include an air-to-ground, long-range deep strike missile, SCALP.

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