Battle-ready Tejas fighter unlikely before 2014

[Black Widow]

Can someone suggest what is the benefit of this companion aircraft...i mean what help it can provide should(god forbid) the place under test malfunctions???

Good question, If you like my answer please thank me.. Chase plane will do nothing if the plane crashes. But imagine a situation when the plane under test started some snag, which the pilot can't see, But the chase plane will see it and inform the pilot.

The pilot will land the aircraft immedietly and life will be saved.

Some friends suggested it is for taking video, Which can be one use, But it is not the main objective of chase plane. The chase plane continuous monitor the test plane and inform the pilot if something goes wrong.

After 2000+ test flight, The DRDO is confident that no snag will appear in LCA.. "This is confidence".

 

[Roybot]

There was speculation on BR that the twin seater Mirage that crashed last week was used as chase aircraft for Tejas flight tests. That might be the reason why there was no chase aircraft for LSP7, rather than "increase in confidence".

 

[rockstarIN]

There was speculation on BR that the twin seater Mirage that crashed last week was used as chase aircraft for Tejas flight tests. That might be the reason why there was no chase aircraft for LSP7, rather than "increase in confidence".

We are not always dependent on M2ks for chase air craft. sometimes another Tejas itself chase it.

Sea Harrier chased it in Goa for R-73 testing.

 

[Banana]

10 Per Year?

2 Lines must be Opened.

Which can be used for N LCA and LCA MK2 afterwards.

Jacka*ses!

 

[Black Widow]

10 Per Year?

2 Lines must be Opened.

Which can be used for N LCA and LCA MK2 afterwards.

Jacka*ses!

Assembly lines are ready, HAL just need nod form govt/IAF. If you visit bangalore, I will suggest you to go near HAL airport, you can see many new buildings have come up for LCA. 4-5 ware house and 2-3 Buildings. I hope the production will be more than 10/year.

 

[Nishan_101]

Yeah! we have heard that the actual Tejas will be available in 2015 or 2016

 

[illuminatidinesh]

The LSP is ready (7) for now.... Lets wait for the the next one. I thought we are in no hurry to induct them as of now, but as always sooner the better.

 

[LiberalAtheist]

the MiG-21's are being phased out already and by 2017 all of them will have been gone and by that time 40LCAMK1 would already be in IAF service and the MK2 would begin its production not to mention that year the FGFA will enter service as well. so everything seems to be on track.

 

[Black Widow]

Yeah! we have heard that the actual Tejas will be available in 2015 or 2016

SO you mean to say HAL will start provide 40 Virtual Tejas from 2013? By 2012 end, FOC is planned, once FOC done, delivery will start. And that will be ACTUAL (not VIRTUAL) tejas.

Even if we consider worst case scenario, by 2014 HAL can deliver 12-16 LCA. By 2015-16, LCA MKII will come in production line.

 

[rockstarIN]

SO you mean to say HAL will start provide 40 Virtual Tejas from 2013? By 2012 end, FOC is planned, once FOC done, delivery will start. And that will be ACTUAL (not VIRTUAL) tejas.

Even if we consider worst case scenario, by 2014 HAL can deliver 12-16 LCA. By 2015-16, LCA MKII will come in production line.

meanwhile LSP-7 will be handed over to IAF very soon as IAF team is ready for the user trails.

 

[Screambowl]

I do not want to hear anything about Tejas, I am bored.