HariPrasad
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@HariPrasad
The simple fact that you use the term "will" so often to describe the MK2 says it all! As of now, there are only "aims" but not a single source about reliable specs is available, not to mention that not even all possible changes are cleared yet.
You put your hope on the MK2 mainly on baseless claims of Mr Saraswat (the most unreliable source that we have in India!) but not on facts. One fact for example is that no matter what payload the MK2 at the end will have, it will not able to carry similar loads to similar ranges like the MMRCAs, by the lack of useful hardpoints!
Simple example, strike with 2000lb Sudarshan LGB with maximum load:
LCA MK2 - 7+1 hardpoints (1 pod station):
1 x 2000lb LGB on the centerline
1 x LDP at the pod station
2 x 1200l fuel tanks at the inner wingstations
2 x BVR missiles
2 x WVR missiles
Roughly 3600Kg payload
Gripen E/F - 8 to 9 +1 hardpoints (depending on load 2 or 3 centerline hardpoints)
2 x 2000lb LGB on the centerline stations
1 x LDP at the pod station
2 x 1700l fuel tanks at the inner wingstations
2 x BVR missiles
2 x WVR missiles
Roughly 5400Kg payload
Rafale - 11 to 12 +2 hardpoints (depending on load 1 or 2 centerline hardpoints)
3 x 2000lb LGB on the centerline and midwing stations
1 x LDP at the pod station
2 x 2000l fuel tanks at the inner wingstations
4 x BVR missiles
2 x WVR missiles
Over 7000Kg payload
As you can see, even if the MK2 "might" (because it's not clear yet) be technically at a similar 4.5th gen level like the MMRCAs (most likely AESA radar and IRST, moder EW sensors...), performance wise it will be far inferior in most roles, especially with heavy loads.
Sancho ji,
Did you see the youtube video of Tejas MK1 July trial?
It carries 2 fuel tanks, 2 bombs and takes off in just 10 to 12 seconds.
It means that
2 tanks with 1300 liters of fuel means 1150 Kg each and 350 KG tank weight.
So 2(1150+350)=3000 KG of fuel tank and 500x2= 1000 Kg of bomb. I do not remember whether they carried A to A missile they fired in that video.
The total weight amounts to 4000 KG at least. Now a plane which can take off with 4000 KG weight in just 12 second is just not a dumb plane according to me.
MK2 is going to be much batter than MK1. So Your 3700 KG weight figure is not able to convince me.
Hand points are certainly not something very difficult to add on. I have seen photographs in which 4 missiles are carried on a single hand point on a stand. If IAF demands, certainly couple of more hand points can be added easily.
So far as Saraswat is concern, he is a guy with unmatched talent.The way he directed the Missile program is awesome.
LCA is is a complex program. We started from scratch and we want best and contemporaneity aircraft in the world.
If you just look back at our missile program by 2 years, you will get an Idea how fast the things changes. I remember that there were articles in 2011stating that India is much behind in missile race compare to China and Pakistan. Look at the way perceptions changed in just 2 years after we launched A4 and A5.
Look at the Arjun program. How fast highly potent MK2 came in.
LCA would have come much before if project would have been managed professionally. I am very optimistic about Tejas. I am sure that MK2 will be of Grippen NG class. It will give us a very potent fighter to operate in war scenario. This will be over and above the infrastructure and design and development capabilities build in the country. I do not see any reason why we should not get a MK2 as it is conceived. It may delay but when ever it comes I am sure that it will be a very useful aircraft which will be capable to replace Mig 21, Mirage 2000, Jaguar and Mig 27 and to some extant Mig 29 also.