New Delhi, March 5

Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), the Bengaluru based laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out a successful high altitude trials of Indigenous On-board Oxygen Generating Systems (OBOGS) based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for LCA Tejas aircraft.

The On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) based ILSS is an advanced system designed to generate and manage breathable oxygen for aircrew during flight, eliminating the need for traditional Liquid Oxygen Cylinder based systems. The system with appropriate modifications can also be used in MiG 29K and other series of Aircrafts. This was possible due to synergetic efforts of DEBEL, ADA, HAL, CEMILAC, NFTC, DGAQA and IAF.

ILSS was flown in LCA-PV-3 Aircraft of HAL/ADA and the systems was subjected to stringent conditions as per well-established Aero-medical standards in addition to varied flight conditions that includes altitudes of up to 50,000 feet AMSL and high g forces. Performance parameters  of ILSS viz. OBOGS O₂ concentrations, demand breathing, availability of 100 per cent O₂, aerobatic maneuvers at required altitudes for full functional testing of Anti – G Valve, BOS ON during taxying, Take off, Cruise, G turns and rejoin approach & landing were conducted after obtaining flight clearance from CEMILAC. The system has met all the specified parameters.

Apart from OBOGS, ILSS has 10 other Line Replaceable Units (LRU) like LPBR, BOS, EOS, Oxygen Sensor, Anti-G valve, PEC, ECU etc. which enables the continuous real-time generation of breathing oxygen for pilots during the flight.

The system was manufactured by M/s L&T as DcPP, showcasing a successful collaboration between DRDO and Indian defence Industries in developing state of the aerospace  system which constitutes 90 per cent of indigenous content.

Hon’bleRakshaMantriShriRajnath Singh complimented DRDO, IAF, PSUs, and industry for the milestone achievement of successful High-Altitude Trial of Indigenous Integrated Life Support System forLCA Tejas and said that the development reaffirms the nation’s steadfast commitment to self-reliance in cutting-edge defence technologies and reinforcing the goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO congratulated the entire DRDO team, Users and the industry partners for the Successful High-Altitude Trial of Indigenous Integrated Life Support System for LCA Tejas.