Bengaluru, Jan 4: A two-day national seminar titled Aeronautics 2047, organised by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), began at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru on January 4, 2025.
The seminar was inaugurated by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, who congratulated ADA on completing 25 years of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas flight programme and stressed the importance of adhering to delivery timelines to ensure the Indian Air Force remains operationally prepared in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat highlighted the need to develop indigenous, cutting-edge technologies to reduce dependence on imports and realise the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The seminar has brought together experts from industry, academia, and the wider aerospace community to deliberate on the future of aeronautics, design innovation, and manufacturing.
Key themes include next-generation aircraft manufacturing, digital and precision manufacturing, aerodynamics, propulsion, flight testing, digital twin technology, certification challenges, avionics, flight control systems, artificial intelligence in aircraft design and maintainability of fighter platforms.
The event will also trace the journey of the LCA Tejas from concept to operational deployment. Designed and developed by ADA, the Tejas programme has completed over 5600 successful flight trials and involved more than 100 government laboratories, academic institutions and industry partners.
The LCA Mk1A is set to meet the IAF’s operational requirements, while LCA Mk II and the naval variant are under development.
Currently, 38 LCA aircraft, including fighters and trainers, have been inducted into two IAF squadrons.
The seminar also features exhibitions by PSUs, DPSUs, MSMEs and private industry showcasing indigenously developed airborne technologies.