IAF to order 16 more HAL LCA Tejas Mark I Twin Seater Trainer Aircrafts

[Lord Of Gondor]

Right now training of IAF pilots broadly comprises of three stages - Stage I is carried out on a basic trainer, the PC-7 Mark II - Stage II on slightly faster and more complex aircraft like the Kiran; and Stage III on the jet-engined, but sub-sonic BAE Systems Hawk AJT. These twin seater trainer aircrafts will will give IAF pilots an additional stage of training.

Nope.
These will mostly replace the MOFTU(MiG Operational Flying Training Unit) MiG's(The IAF had been using the MiG 21's for this role).

 

[Capt.Popeye]

So wouldn't that be easy if tejas is flown by new cadets on training. Till then senior ones can learn all the basics and limit of the aircraft. Plus it's going to take time for LCA to be completely absorbed in IAF.

No. There is no problem on that account either. A junior Pilot who has trained and been certified Solo on the Hawk will fly Dual with an Instructor Pilot on the Tejas Trainer initially. Then when he gets certified solo on the Trainer he will move on to the Tejas single-seater and get his full type certification there.

 

[thesolar65]

Does a trainer Aircraft have the full capacity to engage in combat or some percentage of the original combat...if the situation arises? Any one??

@Capt.Popeye @Chanakya's_Chant

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Does a trainer Aircraft have the full capacity to engage in combat or some percentage of the original combat...if the situation arises? Any one??

@Capt.Popeye @Chanakya's_Chant

Oh yes, it may have a combat capability; for sure. Many Trainers are designed to be.

 

[janon]

Does a trainer Aircraft have the full capacity to engage in combat or some percentage of the original combat...if the situation arises? Any one??

@Capt.Popeye @Chanakya's_Chant

For the Tejas, I think some fuel capacity is sacrificed to accommodate the additional pilot. So it will have the same combat capability, but lesser range, loiter time etc.

 

[Koovie]

Does a trainer Aircraft have the full capacity to engage in combat or some percentage of the original combat...if the situation arises? Any one??

@Capt.Popeye @Chanakya's_Chant

No it wont have the same performance capabilities... but the exact value depends on the type of aircraft.

You cant have the same performance by reducing the space for fuel or equipment while increasing the weight by putting another crew member into the plane.

 

[janon]

No. There is no problem on that account either. A junior Pilot who has trained and been certified Solo on the Hawk will fly Dual with an Instructor Pilot on the Tejas Trainer initially. Then when he gets certified solo on the Trainer he will move on to the Tejas single-seater and get his full type certification there.

Is there any criterion by which new pilots are assigned to squadrons? What determines if one would fly a M2K or Tejas or MKI?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Is there any criterion by which new pilots are assigned to squadrons? What determines if one would fly a M2K or Tejas or MKI?

I'm not sure exactly how it works in the IAF but in the USAF pilots coming out of flight academy list in order of preference the planes they would like to fly and this is taken into consideration before tasking are given.

So wouldn't that be easy if tejas is flown by new cadets on training. Till then senior ones can learn all the basics and limit of the aircraft. Plus it's going to take time for LCA to be completely absorbed in IAF.

You see, it wouldn't be up to to individual flight instructors to find the limits of the aircraft. Once this plane is actively in IAF SQD service a few airframes will be deputed to TACDE, it will be for these extremely experienced pilots to push the LCA to the limits and create the doctrines and flight manuals that will be use by the rest of the airforce. The same will happen when the Rafale enters IAF service. In this way continuity and standardisation of operating these aircraft is ensured.

Does a trainer Aircraft have the full capacity to engage in combat or some percentage of the original combat...if the situation arises? Any one??

@Capt.Popeye @Chanakya's_Chant

Pretty much, there may be a few shortcomings in terms of fuel capacity and thus range but that is about it. The two sea LCA will be able to perform every mission the single seat version is able to perform. The two seat versions are able to bring their own unique capabilities. The IAF favours two seat fighters for long range strike missions (as well as for assisting in command and control of formations) and thus there was talk of the IAF ordering additional two seat Rafales than outlined in the original RFP (IIRC 2 in every batch of 16-18). It is for this reason the IA has insisted on a two seat version of the FGFA. Similarly the IN uses their two seat MiG-29KUBs for command and control duties of airborne formations (the USN uses their F-18F two seat Super Hornets in the same way).

 

[sancho]

Does a trainer Aircraft have the full capacity to engage in combat or some percentage of the original combat...if the situation arises? Any one??

Unlike the other four prototypes (PV-1, PV-2,PV-3,PV-4) and the two technology demonstrator (TD-1 and TD-2) aircraft, the PV-5 apart from being a two-seat trainer version of the LCA will be identical to the fighter.

It will be fully combat capable and could be used in that role.

LCA’s final prototype to take off soon -The New Indian Express

DRDO brochure

 

[airmarshal]

Good stuff. Congrats. Its does have some resemblance to Mirage 2000.

 

[janon]

...
Similarly the IN uses their two seat MiG-29KUBs for command and control duties of airborne formations (the USN uses their F-18F two seat Super Hornets in the same way).

That's not true - the USN has large, powerful E-2s for early warning and command and control. The two seater hornets specialize in ground attack, tactical air control, forward air control and reconnaissance - all of which are better performed by small fighters, whereas C&C is done by a large command post.

The IAF has been using MKIs in that role, because they do not have the luxury of all time availability of dedicated C&C aircrafts. As of now, they have only three.

 

[sancho]

That's not true - the USN has large, powerful E-2s for early warning and command and control. The two seater hornets specialize in ground attack, tactical air control, forward air control and reconnaissance - all of which are better performed by small fighters, whereas C&C is done by a large command post.

The IAF has been using MKIs in that role, because they do not have the luxury of all time availability of dedicated C&C aircrafts. As of now, they have only three.

It's more a mix of capability and the advantages to pilots offer. The mini AWACS role for example can be done by the Gripen NG too, just by the fact that it has a long range radar, with a wide field of view and capable data link capability. The second pilot only adds to the role, since one of them can focus on the flight, the other on the radar. Similar advantages can be seen for A2G roles, where today all fighters are multi role capable, but a twin seater still offers the advantage of the 2nd pilot to take over laser guiding, which eases operations compared to a single pilot that has to fly and provide guidance to the weapon on his own. In future, when we see mixed squads of manned fighters and UCAVs, the twin seater fighter will be even more important, since the 2nd pilot will take over control of drones in certain missions.

 

[sathya]

Good stuff. Congrats. Its does have some resemblance to Mirage 2000.

When someone says JF 17 resembles F 16, I think most of the JF 17 countrymen will feel happy about it..

But not us, even when you say LCA resembles mirage 2000, we don't take it as a compliment .

 

[airmarshal]

When someone says JF 17 resembles F 16, I think most of the JF 17 countrymen will feel happy about it..

But not us, even when you say LCA resembles mirage 2000, we don't take it as a compliment .

Wow! Such boastfulness & cockiness! Amazing. But this is Indian mentality.

 

[sancho]

Wow! Such boastfulness & cockiness! Amazing. But this is Indian mentality.

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@Chak Bamu
He tried hard to provoke somebody with the silly Mirage comment, but now clearly fulfills the requirements to receive negative ratings or for the Mods to act before the thread goes down don't you think?