HAL Tejas | Updates, News & Discussions

[Gabbar]

@ Schinese
This thread is about LCA only. If you want to compare aircraft with one and another or you want to talk about L-15, please open a new thread. Dont pollute or derail this thread with other non-sense.

 

[rajeev]

good to see the arjun sticky has been removed. it is a good time to remove this LCA propaganda thread from the sticky list.

have a look at our L-15. can anyone tell me why LCA is better than this aircraft?

you think it is better because it flies or Do you any have specifications about L-15 that can be compared LCA specs?

 

[wangrong]

Another Russian copy of Yak-130, shame on you shchinese to post this on LCA thread.

Italy M346

 

[wangrong]

 

[sudhir007]

India To Look for Foreign Partner To Help Develop Naval LCA - Defense News

NEW DELHI - India has decided to look for global partners in developing the naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), as Lockheed Martin failed to get needed security clearances.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has ordered six naval versions of the single-engine LCA, giving a boost to the homegrown program. The move is seen as a further commitment by the Navy to the LCA program, said a senior Navy official.
Lockheed Martin ran out of time in getting the necessary clearances from the U.S. government to enter into a contract with India on providing consulting services in the design and development of the naval version of the LCA, said a senior Indian Defence Ministry official. The ministry has no choice but to look for partners in the Western world other than the United States, so that the LCA (naval) program does not suffer further delays, the ministry official added.

Lockheed executives based in India were unavailable for comment.

The Navy only last month ordered six naval-version LCAs and has committed about $30 million for each aircraft.

The naval version of the LCA is a small, lightweight, multirole supersonic fighter jet. It is under development and is required to operate from an aircraft carrier with a "ski-jump" takeoff ramp and arrested recovery system. The first naval prototype is being built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Bangalore, and is scheduled for integration tests and first flight toward the end of this year.

The naval LCA will be used on a domestically built aircraft carrier, the Air Defence Ship, which is due to enter service with the Navy in 2014.
India is looking for an overseas partner to help in optimizing the landing gear design and making associated changes in the aircraft's structural configuration to bring down the weight of the aircraft by at least 500 kilograms.
As the LCA would be operating from am aircraft carrier, the Defence Ministry will seek the help of an overseas vendor in determining the location and attachment of the arrester hook system on the deck of the ship, and aerodynamic fixes to improve the plane's takeoff and landing performance on the carrier, said a scientist with the Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is developing the LCA.
The overseas partner also will advise Indian scientists on the need for an alternative engine with higher thrust. In addition, the foreign partner will advise the ADA on ways to test the arrestor hook system.
The LCA (naval) version has been designed with structural and landing gear modifications to the existing Air Force version to handle larger loads and arrested recovery.
The need for a foreign partner arose during the course of the design and construction of the LCA (naval) version after it was observed that the weight of the naval version compared with the Air Force version is higher than originally planned and budgeted. With the General Electric (GE) F404 jet engine and the aircraft's mass, the performance of aircraft was found to be lower then anticipated.
The Indian Air Force's version of the LCA also is being powered by the GE 404, but the Air Force wants a higher-thrust engine, as there has been an increase in the weight of the aircraft due to increased demands by the user.

 

[MZUBAIR]

India To Seek Partners For Naval LCA Development

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI


India has decided to look for global partners in developing the naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), as Lockheed Martin failed to get needed security clearances.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has ordered six naval versions of the single-engine LCA, giving a boost to the homegrown program. The move is seen as a further commitment by the Navy to the LCA program, said a senior Navy official.


Lockheed Martin ran out of time in getting the necessary clearances from the U.S. government to enter into a contract with India on providing consulting services in the design and development of the naval version of the LCA, said a senior Indian Defence Ministry official. The ministry has no choice but to look for partners in the Western world other than the United States, so that the LCA (naval) program does not suffer further delays, the ministry official added.

Lockheed executives based in India were unavailable for comment.


The Navy only last month ordered six naval-version LCAs and has committed about $30 million for each aircraft.


The naval version of the LCA is a small, lightweight, multirole supersonic fighter jet. It is under development and is required to operate from an aircraft carrier with a "ski-jump" takeoff ramp and arrested recovery system. The first naval prototype is being built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Bangalore, and is scheduled for integration tests and first flight toward the end of this year.


The naval LCA will be used on a domestically built aircraft carrier, the Air Defence Ship, which is due to enter service with the Navy in 2014.


India is looking for an overseas partner to help in optimizing the landing gear design and making associated changes in the aircraft's structural configuration to bring down the weight of the aircraft by at least 500 kilograms.


As the LCA would be operating from am aircraft carrier, the Defence Ministry will seek the help of an overseas vendor in determining the location and attachment of the arrester hook system on the deck of the ship, and aerodynamic fixes to improve the plane's takeoff and landing performance on the carrier, said a scientist with the Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is developing the LCA.


The overseas partner also will advise Indian scientists on the need for an alternative engine with higher thrust. In addition, the foreign partner will advise the ADA on ways to test the arrestor hook system.


The LCA (naval) version has been designed with structural and landing gear modifications to the existing Air Force version to handle larger loads and arrested recovery.


The need for a foreign partner arose during the course of the design and construction of the LCA (naval) version after it was observed that the weight of the naval version compared with the Air Force version is higher than originally planned and budgeted. With the General Electric (GE) F404 jet engine and the aircraft's mass, the performance of aircraft was found to be lower then anticipated.


The Indian Air Force's version of the LCA also is being powered by the GE 404, but the Air Force wants a higher-thrust engine, as there has been an increase in the weight of the aircraft due to increased demands by the user.

New engine required, this will bring airframe modifications.

So once again old problems appeared.......

This will delay more and more......

I cant see LCA or MRCA in IAF b4 2015

Plz Note:- "The LCA programme was launched in 1983"

 

[gogbot]

Plz Note:- "The LCA programme was launched in 1983"

iT WAS PROPOSED IN 1983

BUT GAINED CLEARANCE FROM GoI ONLY IN 1991.

 

[raveolution]

New engine required, this will bring airframe modifications.

So once again old problems appeared.......

This will delay more and more......

I cant see LCA or MRCA in IAF b4 2015

Plz Note:- "The LCA programme was launched in 1983"

Both engines being considered are of the same size and will essentially "plug the hole" with only minor modifications. The only difference will be a higher thrust. This has already been discussed earlier in this thread. LCA production has already started with the first 40 aircraft comin under block 1 with its current engine. The MRCA will be finalised by 2011 as tests are underway with 18 in a flyaway state immediately and local production starting in 2012. The IAF has therefore purchased 50 more SU30's to arrest declining numbers.

 

[blueoval79]

This is what Naval Version of Tejas LCA May Look like:




Source: http://www.india-defence.com/reports/4480

 

[Saint N sinnerr]

Indian Navy Orders Six Naval Tejas LCA Fighters; Infuses Rs.900 Crore in Programme

Indian Navy has okay-ed the placement of an order for six Naval Tejas Light Combat Aircrafts (N-LCA). At an approximate cost of Rs 150 crore per aircraft, this will provide a Rs 900 crore infusion into the Naval LCA programme.

That investment in the Tejas programme is rooted in the navy's plan to operate both light and medium fighters off its aircraft carriers.

The Naval LCA will supplement the heavier Russian MiG-29K, which has already been ordered from Russia. The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), being built at Cochin Shipyard, Kochi, has been designed with a separate aircraft lift and maintenance facilities for the LCA, in addition to facilities for the MiG-29K. That has linked the development of the Naval LCA with the construction of the IAC, which is expected to join the fleet by 2014.

But the LCA programme faces a bottleneck in choosing a new engine. Two uprated engines -- the General Electric GE-414 and the Eurojet EJ-200 -- are currently being evaluated, but will be supplied only by 2013-14. And only with the new engine will the LCA have the power to get airborne from an aircraft carrier.

P S Subramaniam, the Director of the Aeronautical Development Agency, which coordinates the LCA programme, explains: "We will fly the Naval LCA with the current GE-404 engine to test its flight characteristics, and whether its structural strength is sufficient for aircraft carrier operations. After the LCA is fitted with a new, more powerful engine we will take the next step of operating from an aircraft carrier."

Meanwhile, a major shore-based test facility is coming up at INS Hansa, in Goa, which replicates an aircraft carrier deck on ground, complete with arrested recovery and a ski jump for take off. This facility, which is expected to be operational by October 2011, will be used for certifying the Naval LCA before actually flying off an aircraft carrier. This will also be used for pilots’ training and for training maintenance crews.

 

[MZUBAIR]

iT WAS PROPOSED IN 1983

BUT GAINED CLEARANCE FROM GoI ONLY IN 1991.

still 18 years gone.....

 

[Joodi]

Both engines being considered are of the same size and will essentially "plug the hole" with only minor modifications.

.
No dear, its not that simple as u potray, integrating a new engine in an aircraft is a complex job.

LCA production has already started with the first 40 aircraft comin under block 1 with its current engine. The MRCA will be finalised by 2011 as tests are underway with 18 in a flyaway state immediately and local production starting in 2012. .

U mean, LCA will be ready for induction by 2012. Just a wishfull thinkng frankly speaking. We have been hearing such deadlines for LCA induction in IAf for the last 8 years. I can give half a dozen such claims from ADA and HAL regarding LCA induction date, dead line after dead line. no offence please. this is what, we are witnessing for last many years.

How can people at ADA can start LCA production in 2012. LCA has not yet passed the IOC. By most optimitic estimates, LCA will under process of IOC by IAf at the earliest from 2-3 years from now, after that IAf will submit their finding regarding any shortcomings and possible defects. ADA and HAl will then adress and do the necessary work to remove those short comings and problems, this will take time. Then comes the stages of FOC by IAF.Only after getting FOC, ADA will be able to start large scale production of LCA. It is too early to make such claim. If every thing goes smooth, it will be some think around 2015-16 when we may except that IAF will have a fully operational LCA squadron.

In addition to the above mentioned points induction of a fully operational LCA sq in IAF faces delays due to following problems.

1- Local Multi mode radar program ended in failure, now Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. are working on new MMR. it is under development.
2- after completion of MMR, The integration issues of an imported radar to the aircraft needs to be resolved.
2-Integration of a complete weapons suite needs to be resolved (just dummy missile trials as yet ).
3- Complete Weaponization of LCA still pending, as MMR is not ready so intergartion of BVR and other missiles yet to take place.

 

[marcos98]

In its path towards Initial Operational Capability (IOC), a pair of LCA Tejas fighters -- Prototype Vehicle-3 (PV3) and Limited Series Production-2 (LSP-2) -- were recently deployed to Jamnagar for a period of five weeks for testing by the South Western Air Command (SWAC). The trials entailed flight envelope expansion in various stores configurations, as well as air-to-ground weapon delivery trials in different modes of weapon delivery. According to a DRDO statement, "The aircraft has successfully demonstrated its ability to tackle targets which are designated visually by the pilot. After this phase, the Tejas will be able to take on targets whose parameters in terms of location and altitude are fed to the on-board navigation and attack computer. The target does not even have to be visible to the pilot at the point of delivery."

The flight trials were conducted by the flight test crew of the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC), who deployed test pilots, flight test engineers and instrumentation specialists for the task. This is the first time that the Tejas aircraft have operated away from home base for so long. The support provided by the personnel of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) the manufacturers of the aircraft, ensured that this indigenous fighter aircraft was able to take to the skies regularly. The Tejas team included specialist groups from Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Central for Military Air Worthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and DG-AQA.

The Indian Air Force teams working at ADA and the Air Force base where the trials were conducted have contributed significantly for the success of the trial. The excellent weather conditions prevailing in the Saurashtra sector and the enthusiastic support of the Indian Air Force ensured the successful completion of the current phase of flight trials. With this milestone achieved, the entire Tejas team is upbeat and the Tejas is one step closer to induction into the Indian Air Force.
LiveFist - The Best of Indian Defence: FIRST IMAGES: LCA Tejas Weapon Trials At Jamnagar

 

[Born In The USA]

LCA Tejas moves towards IOC with five-week weapons trial

New Delhi: India's ambitious programme to develop a sophisticated light-weight fighter aircraft moved ahead another step with the Indian Air Force conducting a five-week multi-disciplinary trial with two Tejas aircraft at its Jamnagar air base in Gujarat. The trials take the programme closer to achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) - a task that the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which manages the Tejas programme, is committed to achieve by the end of 2010.

"The trials entailed flight envelope expansion in various stores configurations, as well as air-to-ground weapon delivery trials in different modes of weapon delivery," a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) official said here today.

According to officials, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) successfully demonstrated its ability to tackle targets designated visually by the pilot. With this phase behind it the LCA will now test its ability to let its on-board navigation and attack computers take on targets that are beyond visual range (BVR).

Defence sources said the five-week trials were conducted by the flight test crew of the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC) which included test pilots, flight test engineers and instrumentation specialists.

Officials also said that this, indeed, was the first time that the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft has operated away from home base for so long.

The first squadron of the Mark-I LCA, with initial operational capability is scheduled to be inducted by the IAF by December 2010. In all the IAF is slated to induct around seven squadrons of the aircraft in its fleet. While the first two squadrons will be equipped with Mark-I, or IOC aircraft the remaining five squadrons will be the Mark-II version, an upgraded version of the aircraft that will match the likes of Saab Gripen JAS-39 in its capabilities.

The IOC configured squadrons will be equipped with the GE-404 engines while the remaining five squadrons will be equipped with either the GE-414 or the Eurojet 200 engines. DRDO is also in negotiations with various aircraft manufacturers to it in expanding the flight envelope of the aircraft.

domain-b.com : LCA Tejas moves towards IOC with five-week weapons trial

 

[raveolution]

.
No dear, its not that simple as u potray, integrating a new engine in an aircraft is a complex job.



U mean, LCA will be ready for induction by 2012. Just a wishfull thinkng frankly speaking. We have been hearing such deadlines for LCA induction in IAf for the last 8 years. I can give half a dozen such claims from ADA and HAL regarding LCA induction date, dead line after dead line. no offence please. this is what, we are witnessing for last many years.

How can people at ADA can start LCA production in 2012. LCA has not yet passed the IOC. By most optimitic estimates, LCA will under process of IOC by IAf at the earliest from 2-3 years from now, after that IAf will submit their finding regarding any shortcomings and possible defects. ADA and HAl will then adress and do the necessary work to remove those short comings and problems, this will take time. Then comes the stages of FOC by IAF.Only after getting FOC, ADA will be able to start large scale production of LCA. It is too early to make such claim. If every thing goes smooth, it will be some think around 2015-16 when we may except that IAF will have a fully operational LCA squadron.

In addition to the above mentioned points induction of a fully operational LCA sq in IAF faces delays due to following problems.

1- Local Multi mode radar program ended in failure, now Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. are working on new MMR. it is under development.
2- after completion of MMR, The integration issues of an imported radar to the aircraft needs to be resolved.
2-Integration of a complete weapons suite needs to be resolved (just dummy missile trials as yet ).
3- Complete Weaponization of LCA still pending, as MMR is not ready so intergartion of BVR and other missiles yet to take place.

U misread my post. It is the MRCA, not the LCA which will start production by end 2012, by the most conservative estimates. As far as the LCA program is concerned, you are right. It has been the victim of recurring delays. Lets wait and see.

The radar for Blk 1 has been decided. They will use the Israeli EL/M-2052, 6 of which were ordered in 2006 for the prototypes. This will equip the first 40 aircraft.

The ADA awarded General Electric a US$105 million contract in February 2004 for development engineering and production of 17 F404-GE-IN20 engines, delivery of which began in 2006.In Feb 2007, HAL ordered an additional 24 F404-GE-IN20 afterburning engines to power the first operational squadron of Tejas fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The Blk 2 will use heavier engines (F414 or EJ200), which will entail structural modifications.

Nice post though.