Washington: Leading US company General Electricals (GE) has announced that it has been awarded a $ 105 million engineering development contract by India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for engines that will be used for limited series production of Tejas, the country's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

The development contract calls for GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) to provide 17 F40 4-GE-IN20 engines, as well as logistics support, the company announced from Lynn, Massachusetts.

First engine delivery is scheduled for 2006, it said, adding the limited series production of the LCA will begin in 2005.

There is a potential for 250 LCAs for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, it said.

Flight-testing of LCA prototypes with an F404-GE-F2J3 engine began in 2001. To date, three LCA prototypes have completed more than 150 test flights, including supersonic flights.

In all, seven prototype LCAs are scheduled to fly with F404-GE-F2J3 engines. The F404-GE-IN20 engine for the limited series production aircraft will be a variant of the F404-GE-402, modified to power the single-engine LCA with redundant features and a control system with an advanced FADEC (full authority digital electronic control).

The engine will greatly benefit from its commonality with the more than 3700 F404 engines in service worldwide.

In addition to the LCA limited series production aircraft, F404-GE-IN20 engines are also planned to fly with LCA Naval variants NP1 and NP2 currently under development at ADA.

GEAE, a part of GE Transportation, is an operating unit of the General Electric Company.

GEAE is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma Moteurs and GE.

GEAE also manufactures gas turbines, derived from its highly successful jet engine programmes, for marine and industrial applications.

In addition, GEAE provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service throughout the world.