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FRONTIERINDIA: The Arakkonam tests validated LCA Tejas performance over sea level. The airframe and all other parameters were verified. Like all any other engine, GE F 404-IN20, which is the interim solution, could not sustain its normal thrust, as with case of all engines which are not made for Indian conditions.Parallel to the tests in Arakkonam, the representatives from US had given a briefing to the Indian Air Force, pitching GE- F 414 engines for LCA. The offer also included redesigning the LCA Tejas to accommodate the GE- F 414. However it was felt that this offer defies the very Air Staff requirement (ASR) for the light weight, small aircraft. GE- F 414 is a bigger and heavier engine, LCA dimensions will drastically change and it will push back LCA development for at least 3-5 years. Also the past experience dealing with US on LCA weighed heavy on the Indian minds. This time US decides not to cooperate midway, the Tejas project will be non recoverable.There is another feeling that the ASR’s specification for thrust of the Kaveri engine might be inadequate. Kaveri engine will require more thrust. If this is proven in the air, Indian Air Force will be at blame.The solution lies with GTRE. GTRE engine Kaveri is a Flat rated engine. This in lay terms means that, as the engine thrust drops due to change in airflow or altitude or any other factor, the Kaveri engine has been designed to increase its revolutions per minute (RPM), in order to maintain the thrust. This is not possible by non-flat rated engines like GE- F 414. GE-F 414 might have a superior thrust to compensate, but as mentioned earlier, it will have other penalties on the very requirement of LCA type fighter.IAF’s miscalculation of ASR for Kaveri thrust might have an solution. GTRE kaveri production version of K10 Std. engine, is expected to have more thrust than projected. In fact the Kaveri K9 + version is already showing the enhanced thrust in the tests. Since the exact figures for increased thrust requirement is not available, one cannot judge the extent of IAF’s blunder in drafting the ASR.