IAF chief Arup Raha has his first sortie in LCA Tejas; says it’s a “good aircraft” for induction

[knight11]

IAF chief Arup Raha flew the indigenously designed and produced LCA Tejas for about 30 minutes at the HAL airport.
By: FE Online | Updated: May 17, 2016 7:08 PM
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IAF chief Arup Raha carried out manoeuvres with the LCA Tejas in the entire flying envelope of the aircraft. (HAL Photo)

Giving his thumbs up to HAL’s Tejas, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief on Tuesday had his first sortie in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), after which he called it a “good aircraft for induction”. “It is my first sortie in Tejas, it is a good aircraft for induction into IAF operations,” Raha said.

Raha flew the indigenously designed and produced LCA Tejas for about 30 minutes at the HAL airport. Group Captain M. Rangachari was with him in the twin-seater trainer aircraft.

The Air Chief Marshal carried out manoeuvres in the entire flying envelope of the aircraft. He carried out simulated air to air and air to ground attacks. He also assessed the advanced modes of the radar and Helmet Mounted Display Sight (HMDs).

“An ace fighter pilot himself, Air Chief Marshal Raha appreciated the flying qualities of the aircraft. He congratulated the entire team of HAL and others involved in getting the LCA program to this stage.],” the HAL release said.

IAF chief Arup Raha has his first sortie in LCA Tejas. (HAL photo)

Commenting on the test flight, T Suvarna Raju, CMD of HAL said, “It is a moral boosting gesture from the IAF Chief and reposes great confidence of our valuable customer in our abilities.”

The series production of the Tejas aircraft has already commenced at HAL Bengaluru and the first squadron of the LCA is expected to be formed by July 2016.

The Air Chief also stock of HTT-40 (Basic Trainer) which was parked on the tarmac besides visiting LCA production line and other facilities, the release added.

IAF chief Arup Raha has his first sortie in LCA Tejas. (HAL photo)

The Tejas LCA is a supersonic, multirole light fighter aircraft, which has been under development for the past three decades. It has been co-developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency in cooperation with HAL to replace the IAF’s aging fleet of MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft.

India needs about 300 aircraft of the LCA, therefore to speed up induction of the ‘Tejas’, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to upgrade the aircraft with over 40 modifications. With MoD setting a 2018 deadline for making the first upgraded Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, state-owned HAL is seeking help from Swedish company SAAB.

IAF chief Arup Raha has his first sortie in LCA Tejas. (HAL photo)

Earlier this month, T Suvarna Raju told FE, “For enhancing the capability of the indigenous LCA, HAL is in talks with the SAAB.” “By June 2016, our company will hand over the fourth aircraft to the IAF. The four aircraft will make up for the first squadron of IAF which will be used for training,” he added.

IAF chief Arup Raha has his first sortie in LCA Tejas. (IAF Photo)

 

[knight11]

Published on May 17, 2016
The Indian Air Force Chief Arup Raha was all praises for India's first Indigenously built fighter Jet Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas soon after taking first sortie. Air Chief Marshal Raha said, "It is a wonderful aircraft, ready to fly. I had first sortie in this aircraft Tejas. It is a good aircraft and I think its a good aircraft for the airforce to fly", when an HAL officer asked to comment about the his first sortie in the aircraft.

This is for the first time that an Air force chief has flew in the LCA Tejas fighter, the indigenously designed and produced at HAL Bangalore. The 17 May 2016 is a historic day not only for Indian Air Force but for LCA Tejas. It is a major boost for ADA, HAL and DRDO as Air Force Chief heavily praised the aircraft.

The Tejas has been designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and produced by HAL at Bangalore. The aircraft is an advanced fly by wire fighter aircraft with state of the art avionics.

The aircraft structure comprises of a large amount (more than 50%) of composites and features a quadruplex digital fly by wire control system.

The Air Chief Marshal carried out manoeuvers in the entire flying envelope of the aircraft. He carried out simulated air to air and air to ground attacks. He also assessed the advanced modes of the radar and Helmet Mounted Display Sight (HMDs). An ace fighter pilot himself, Air Chief Marshal Raha appreciated the flying qualities of the aircraft. He congratulated the entire team of ADA and HAL for their hard work in getting the LCA program to this stage. Later he also presented a gift to the fighter pilot who has flown with him.

The series production of the Tejas aircraft has already commenced at HAL Bangalore and the IAF intends to form the first squadron of the LCA on 01 July 2016 The IAF has also decided to place an order for an additional 80 Tejas in the advanced LCA MK1A configuration. The LCA MK1A will have at least 45 improvements than in the aircraft what Air Chief had flown.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) must be keeping a close watch on the developments surrounding LCA Tejas as their JF-17 could not make much of a fighter and even opt out of dogfight in Bahrain International Air Show where LCA Tejas enthralled the world audience with its air manoeuvers.

 

[Vapnope]

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) must be keeping a close watch on the developments surrounding LCA Tejas as their JF-17 could not make much of a fighter and even opt out of dogfight in Bahrain International Air Show where LCA Tejas enthralled the world audience with its air manoeuvers.