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LCA NP-2 Spotted with Arrestor Hook at Aero India 2015

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LCA-NP2, second prototype of the Naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft was today spotted with Arrestor Hook, raising curiosity among visitors if Integration of Arrestor Hook has been completed on Naval LCA and tests on NLCA will soon commence to test hook to be used in rapid deceleration of aircraft during routine landings on aircraft carriers .

But idrw.org was later able to confirm from HAL officials that Arrestor Hook device spotted on keel of the aircraft actually was a Dummy and was placed in manner to look like Arrestor Hook as been integrated in the aircraft . when questioned when will actual mounting take place? , HAL officials confirmed that Carrier Compatibility Testing (CCT) of Naval LCA is still in initial phase , further CCT will be carried out on Shore Based Test Facility ( SBTF) which has mechanism to test ski-jump take-off and restraining gear to simulate Aircraft carriers operations.

Focus clearly seems to test ski-jump take-off operations on N-LCA and Integration of Arrestor Hook on N-LCA will take place at later phase of testing most probably in October said sources close to idrw.org. While another confirmation coming is that MK-2 will be sporting new lighter and leaner Landing gear which will go through further weight reduction to improve safety and make aircraft lighter too.
 
BEL Offers Homemade Phased Array Radars For Tejas

BEL is offering indigenously-built radars for the Indian Air Force’s LCA Tejas currently featuring Israeli multi-mode radars on board.

SK Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of BEL told reporters here at Aero India 2015, “Our Active Array Radar is currently being developed in collaboration with DRDO, and would take 2 years to complete. The progress is going good and we hope Tejas could ultimately have homemade radars."

The company executive highlighted the other IAF upgrade programmes including its electronic warfare suites expected to undergo trails in 6 months, which is also likely to cover the LCA program.

Simultaneously, BEL is developing new technical control radar for the army, low level transportable radars for IAF and army, as well as weapon upgrades for army.

Further adding, Sharma said Akash missile for the Indian Army has gained production clearance and the delivery will commence in next 2-3 years. “BEL has a share of over 3000-4000 crore in the order size of Rs 14000 crore”.

BEL will supply systems including long range capture surveillance and capture radar, fire radar, control systems among others.

Quizzed upon the Indian Army’s Battlefield Management System (BMS) program, Sharma said the official nod has not been given yet, and the actual progress will take another 4 years. BEL is bidding with 7 other companies.

BEL Offers Homemade Phased Array Radars For Tejas
 
BEL Offers Homemade Phased Array Radars For Tejas

BEL is offering indigenously-built radars for the Indian Air Force’s LCA Tejas currently featuring Israeli multi-mode radars on board.

SK Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of BEL told reporters here at Aero India 2015, “Our Active Array Radar is currently being developed in collaboration with DRDO, and would take 2 years to complete. The progress is going good and we hope Tejas could ultimately have homemade radars."

The company executive highlighted the other IAF upgrade programmes including its electronic warfare suites expected to undergo trails in 6 months, which is also likely to cover the LCA program.

Simultaneously, BEL is developing new technical control radar for the army, low level transportable radars for IAF and army, as well as weapon upgrades for army.

Further adding, Sharma said Akash missile for the Indian Army has gained production clearance and the delivery will commence in next 2-3 years. “BEL has a share of over 3000-4000 crore in the order size of Rs 14000 crore”.

BEL will supply systems including long range capture surveillance and capture radar, fire radar, control systems among others.

Quizzed upon the Indian Army’s Battlefield Management System (BMS) program, Sharma said the official nod has not been given yet, and the actual progress will take another 4 years. BEL is bidding with 7 other companies.

BEL Offers Homemade Phased Array Radars For Tejas
Different AESA project? LRDE is developing an AESA radar for Tejas mk2 too so are both different?
 
India's LCA Navy project gathers momentum with four flight tests for second prototype

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The Indian Navy's single-seater Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy prototype NP-2 (seen here in February 2015 at the Aero India show in Bangalore) successfully completed its maiden flight. Source: Sitanshu Kar/Indian Ministry of Defence
Key Points
  • Indian Navy single-seater Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) prototype NP-2 succesfully completed its maiden flight on 7 February
  • A further three test flights have since been performed
The single-seater Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy prototype for the Indian Navy, NP-2, has succesfully completed its first flight, and has since flown a further three times.

The aircraft conducted its maiden flight on 7 February at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) airfield in Bangalore. According to HAL, the aircraft performed "flawlessly" during the 35-minute test flight.

NP-2 embodies several improvements based on feedback from flights of the first flight test article, the two-seater NP-1. After a handful of flights between April and July 2012, the NP-1 flight test programme saw the aircraft go through several modifications including structural revisions to enable the landing gear to handle the high aircraft sink rates associated with carrier landing operations. Other work included improvements to the aircraft's environmental control system (ECS) and fuel system. Airbus Defence & Space (formerly EADS) has been providing technical assistance with these activities.

The NP-2's avionics suite incorporates "all requisite" hardware, according to project officials. The airframe also has been modified to incrementally accept additional avionics and control system updates such as the Leading Edge Vortex Controller (Levcon) Air Data Computer, an auto throttle, and external and internal angle of attack lights, using a 'plug-and-play' systems approach, said HAL.

The NP-2 is to be the lead aircraft for arrestor hook integration, the Rafael Derby Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), and tactical datalink, said HAL in a statement.

The naval LCA project was approved by the Indian government in 2003, with the first stage of development comprising two LCA Navy Mk 1 flight test articles - a trainer prototype (NP-1) and a fighter aircraft prototype (NP-2) - and a static test article, all built to the Mk 1 design. Since then, another trainer, NP-5, has been approved; its airframe is under construction.

In addition, two more Mk 1 fighter aircraft prototypes are planned to be built - although the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is yet to formally fund these test articles.

The second stage of the LCA project involves building two Mk 2 flight test articles - NP-3 and NP-4, both in a single-seater configuration.

The concept design of the definitive Mk 2 version is understood to have been completed. The Mk 2 is, in essence, a major redesign of the Mk 1 for enhanced mission performance and improved maintainability.

The Mk 2 will incorporate a more powerful General Electric F-414 INS6 engine as well as landing gear, arrestor hook, and internal layout developments, a reduced nose droop to improve aerodynamic performance, and other drag reduction features.

It will also feature a fuel dump system, increased fuel capacity, a retractable inflight refueling probe, and an onboard oxygen generation system.

The avionics suite will feature the new Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) multimode radar, an upgraded flight control computer, and an improved cockpit layout. Defensive systems will be enhanced with a new integrated electronic warfare suite.

Crucially, unlike the LCA Navy Mk 1, which was adapted from an air force variant, the LCA Navy Mk 2 will be optimised 'ab initio' to be a carrier-borne naval fighter aircraft, according to a project official. It is understood that the Mk 2's first flight is now expected to take place around 2020.

According to industry sources, the Indian Navy has a requirement for over 50 Mk 2 airframes, to be formed into two squadrons.

India's LCA Navy project gathers momentum with four flight tests for second prototype - IHS Jane's 360
 

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