HAL Tejas | Updates, News & Discussions

[sancho]

As per the article, IAF is only interested in mk.2 version since it fulfills its requirements. What would be the fate of mk.1 in that scenario.

The article doesn't say that IAF is not interested in MK1 (which should be evident by the fact that the order was increased to 2 squads), just that the operational requirements demand more capability, which is what the MK2 is meant to offer. That's not surprising, since the MK1 specs were based on older requirements, while the IAF today demands propper 4.5th gen capabilities. If the MK1s will be upgraded later, or simply sold off and replaced by new upgraded versions, as IAF did it with the Su 30s, needs to be seen.

 

[45'22']

HAL upgrades LCA project to boost production

HAL upgrades LCA project to boost production | idrw.org

 

[The_Sidewinder]

HAL upgrades LCA project to boost production

HAL upgrades LCA project to boost production | idrw.org

Timely step indeed. Today even IAF chief put forward his concerns about delays regarding both lca & mmrca aquisition.

 

[Daedalus]

For Tejas, a Long Way to Go Before it Protects the Indian Skies

• The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) - Tejas, which has been in the making since 1983 and is expected to join the force by March, 2015, still suffers from some teething problems.
  
  Some of the modifications that IAF has to make on the Tejas include pushing back the cockpit panels by few centimeters to prevent the toes of an ejecting pilot from getting entangled with instruments and aides and adding another 60 centimetres in length to the aircraft body to allow easy access and replacements of critical circuitry.
  
  Apart from these critical changes, the IAF and State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are in the process of shaving off about 550 kilograms from the aircraft, making it lighter and adding more power to it.
  
  Senior Defence Ministry officials told NDTV that the LCA Mark-I is still somewhat far from being given any operational duty. The aircraft is expected to replace the Russian-made MiG-21 aircrafts which have already been decommissioned.
  
  "There are several changes that are being carried out," senior IAF officials told NDTV.
  
  On Wednesday, the first of the aircraft, built to series production, completed a 25-minute-long sortie. The Tejas LCA is expected to cost the Indian exchequer Rs. 50,000 crore.
  
  Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Arup Raha told reporters today, "I think things will be fall in place. The first limited series production of LCA has already flown based on IOC II (Initial operational clearance). We are sure that teething problems of LCA will get over soon."
  
  Drawing attention to the depleting fighter fleet of the IAF, Air Marshal Raha said that "the draw down has to be prevented by quick induction by induction of LCA and MMRCA." The "draw down" that Air Marshal Raha refers to is the phasing out of legacy planes like the MiG 21.
  
  Sources said several "test points" and operational parameters still need to be validated by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification in Bangalore, ensuring that the process would take at least 12 months for completion. The LCA continues to be riddled by inadequacies and problems in integrating its radars and sensors.
  
  "Training manuals, maintenance manuals haven't yet been prepared," an officer said adding that "the IAF expects the first squadron to be available by 2017-18."
  
  Sources told NDTV that prior to the modifications, pilots with shoe size nine or above would have found it impossible to eject in an emergency.
  
  "The feet would get stuck preventing a clean bail out," the officer said.
  
  Also, critical circuits and parts that could require replacements were placed so deep inside the aircraft body that the turn-around time between sorties varied between two to three hours - considered to be exceptionally long.
  
  "The length of the aircraft was increased to rearrange the circuits and parts to allow easy access and faster replacement," the officer added.
  
  The first squadron of the LCA Tejas is scheduled to be based in Sulur in Tamil Nadu.
  
  "Since there are several issues that need to be sorted, the first few jets will be based in Bangalore alongside Hal to allow for faster problem solving," officials said.
  
  Sources said that the IAF is pinning its hopes not on the LCA Mark I but on advanced LCA (Mark-II) to replace its ageing fleet of MiG-21 variants. The LCA Mark-II or second generation of LCA is expected to have a better design besides a more powerful engine - General Electric GE-414. This is expected to generate as much as 90-96 kN thrust as against the current engines - GE-IN20 which generate only about 80-85kN thrust.
  
  The LCA Mark-II is scheduled for flight trials by 2018. The IAF, however, feels that trials will be delayed by at least two if not three years as the current platform will have to undergo major re-engineering to accommodate the heavier GE 414 engines.

For Tejas, a Long Way to Go Before it Protects the Indian Skies

 

[Malik Alashter]

So when will India induct the LCA it's been long time since this project start also what about kaviry if I write it right.

 

[halupridol]

The LCA Mark-II is scheduled for flight trials by 2018. The IAF, however, feels that trials will be delayed by at least two if not three years as the current platform will have to undergo major re-engineering to accommodate the heavier GE 414 engines.

if everyone knows they will need more time....i wonder why even announce 2018 for tests,,,

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

So when will India induct the LCA it's been long time since this project start also what about kaviry if I write it right.

probably by 2018? kaveri engine is a dead bird... i believe now an american engine would power lca.

 

[45'22']

So when will India induct the LCA it's been long time since this project start also what about kaviry if I write it right.

The first squadron of tejas mk1 will be operational by 2017 and the first flight of mk2 is expected in 2017-18 but it can get delayed by some 2-3 years

Kaveri is dead I guess

 

[Malik Alashter]

The first squadron of tejas mk1 will be operational by 2017 and the first flight of mk2 is expected in 2017-18 but it can get delayed by some 2-3 years

Kaveri is dead I guess

Sad to hear that. kaveri is a dead project.

 

[Badbadman]

For Tejas, a Long Way to Go Before it Protects the Indian Skies

• The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) - Tejas, which has been in the making since 1983 and is expected to join the force by March, 2015, still suffers from some teething problems.
  
  Some of the modifications that IAF has to make on the Tejas include pushing back the cockpit panels by few centimeters to prevent the toes of an ejecting pilot from getting entangled with instruments and aides and adding another 60 centimetres in length to the aircraft body to allow easy access and replacements of critical circuitry.
  
  .
  
  Also, critical circuits and parts that could require replacements were placed so deep inside the aircraft body that the turn-around time between sorties varied between two to three hours - considered to be exceptionally long.
  
  

For Tejas, a Long Way to Go Before it Protects the Indian Skies

Things like these what they finding out would not be repeated in mk2 and any further projects we gonna take, hence reducing delays.
The biggest advantage of building something from scratch.

 

[sancho]

Sad to hear that. kaveri is a dead project.

It's not dead at all, just de-linked from LCA at the moment and aimed on other applications. AURA UCAV and possibly Mig 29Ks in the long run, even replacing the US engines on the LCAs might be a option for the future.

 

[45'22']

It's not dead at all, just de-linked from LCA at the moment and aimed on other applications. AURA UCAV and possibly Mig 29Ks in the long run, even replacing the US engines on the LCAs might be a option for the future.

Are we collaborating with the French for kaveri development??????

 

[Trawllu]

Are we collaborating with the French for kaveri development??????

no

Things like these what they finding out would not be repeated in mk2 and any further projects we gonna take, hence reducing delays.
The biggest advantage of building something from scratch.

that was found out and resolved ages ago

 

[sancho]

Are we collaborating with the French for kaveri development??????

Not as far as I know, the Kaveri-Snecma proposal was rejected by IAF, because they wanted DRDO to keep working on indigenous engine developments. Didn't heared about another relation to any French company and Kaveri so far.

 

[Trawllu]

The article doesn't say that IAF is not interested in MK1 (which should be evident by the fact that the order was increased to 2 squads), just that the operational requirements demand more capability, which is what the MK2 is meant to offer. That's not surprising, since the MK1 specs were based on older requirements, while the IAF today demands propper 4.5th gen capabilities. If the MK1s will be upgraded later, or simply sold off and replaced by new upgraded versions, as IAF did it with the Su 30s, needs to be seen.

it is thanks to IN that we are even speaking about tejas Mk2

IAF had almost done it in - now they are simply latching onto Navy initiative