BENGALURU, — May 11, 2026 : The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has selected L&T Technology Services (LTTS) as the single vendor for the design and development of the Mission Data Preparation Software (MDPS) Phase-1 for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-2 and its future variants.
The development marks an important step in the advancement of the LCA Mk-2 program, as ADA continues work on the aircraft’s avionics, mission planning systems, and operational integration ahead of prototype flight testing.
Mission Data Preparation Software
The Mission Data Preparation Software (MDPS) is a ground-based system used to configure mission-specific operational data before a fighter aircraft undertakes a mission. The software enables mission planners and operational units to prepare and upload critical combat information directly into the aircraft’s mission computers and avionics systems.
The MDPS supports several key operational functions, including route and waypoint planning, navigation database integration, target designation, weapon loadout configuration, and threat analysis. The system also allows operators to map hostile radar coverage, surface-to-air missile locations, and electronic warfare threats to optimize mission planning and survivability.
In addition, the software pre-configures electronic warfare parameters, radar operational modes, sensor settings, and precision-guided weapon data before transfer into the aircraft through secure interfaces or data cartridges. Post-flight retrieval and analysis capabilities are also included to assist with maintenance evaluation and mission performance assessment.
Phase-1 of the project focuses on the core architecture and initial software implementation required for the LCA Mk-2’s advanced avionics framework and mission computer environment.
LCA Mk-2 Program
The LCA Mk-2, also known as the Tejas Mk-2 or Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is an advanced 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft being developed by ADA under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft has been designed as a larger and more capable successor to the Tejas Mk-1A and is intended to replace aging platforms such as the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fleets in Indian Air Force service.
The platform is powered by the General Electric F414-INS6 engine and features a maximum take-off weight of approximately 17.5 tonnes. Compared to earlier Tejas variants, the aircraft incorporates an enlarged airframe, close-coupled canards for improved maneuverability, and expanded payload capability through 11 weapon stations.
The LCA Mk-2 will also integrate the indigenous Uttam Mk2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an advanced Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, and an electronic warfare suite known as ‘Swayam Raksha Kavach.’ The suite includes radar warning receivers, self-protection jammers, and missile approach warning systems designed to improve survivability in contested operational environments.
The aircraft’s avionics architecture further incorporates sensor fusion, network-centric warfare compatibility, and upgraded mission computer systems intended to support future indigenous weapons and sensors.
Development Timeline
The ₹10,000 crore LCA Mk-2 development program, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2022, is currently progressing through prototype manufacturing and systems integration stages.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is accelerating assembly activities for the prototypes and has reportedly issued strict delivery schedules to private-sector suppliers for precision-machined structural and avionics components required for the aircraft.
The first prototype is currently undergoing structural integrity assessments, avionics integration checks, flight control validation, and ground testing procedures ahead of its maiden flight. According to recent confirmations from DRDO officials, the first flight of the LCA Mk-2 is expected between June and July 2026.
Following initial testing and certification activities, four prototypes are planned to be completed by 2027. Final Operational Clearance (FOC) and serial production are currently targeted for the 2028–2029 timeframe.
Strategic Significance
The selection of LTTS for the Mission Data Preparation Software program reflects ADA’s increasing use of domestic private-sector capabilities for critical aerospace software and mission systems development.
The LCA Mk-2 program aims to achieve an indigenization level of nearly 80 percent through the integration of locally developed avionics, mission systems, sensors, and electronic warfare technologies. The MDPS project is expected to support secure and indigenous mission planning capabilities for the Indian Air Force while strengthening India’s long-term self-reliance in advanced combat aviation and network-centric warfare technologies.
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