Che Guevara
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Four flights in one year. Thats the flight track record of the naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft -LCA Navy (NP-1) since it made its maiden flight on April 27 last year in Bangalore.
The NP-1 which is the sole prototype build under the LCA Navy programme by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has been bogged down with a few problems that it has not been on a flight sortie since July last 2012.
The aircraft since its first few flights has been undergoing a few modifications with regard to the landing gear and a few other systems to meet the ski jump requirement, said Ministry of Defence sources.The LCA Navy is being developed to operate from an aircraft carrier with a concept of ski-jump take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR). The aircraft to prove that it is fit for carrier-borne operations it would be subjected to ski-jump launch and arresting recovery tests at the naval air station in Goa.
Sources added that a few hiccups which are being sorted, after which more flights would follow.The LCA Navy programme commenced in 2003 and the development plan of the Naval version envisages building of two prototypes, a two-seat trainer (NP-1) and a single seat fighter (NP-2), as technology demonstrators to carry out carrier suitability certification and weapons integration.
Compared to its Air Force counterpart, the LCA is different as it has a new stronger and longer landing gear, arrester hook for ship deck landing, front fuselage drooped for better over the nose vision to facilitate ship landing, an additional control surface to reduce ship landing speed and consequential changes in various systems.The NP1 aircraft would be flying with the GE-F404-IN20 engine.
The LCA will replace the depleting Sea Harrier squadron and operate along the MiG29 Ks by 2014 from the Indigenous Air Craft Carrier which is being constructed at Kochi.The Government has already sanctioned limited series production of the LCA Navy under which eight aircraft would be developed.
Light Combat Aircraft -LCA naval variant all at sea - Bangalore - DNA
The NP-1 which is the sole prototype build under the LCA Navy programme by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has been bogged down with a few problems that it has not been on a flight sortie since July last 2012.
The aircraft since its first few flights has been undergoing a few modifications with regard to the landing gear and a few other systems to meet the ski jump requirement, said Ministry of Defence sources.The LCA Navy is being developed to operate from an aircraft carrier with a concept of ski-jump take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR). The aircraft to prove that it is fit for carrier-borne operations it would be subjected to ski-jump launch and arresting recovery tests at the naval air station in Goa.
Sources added that a few hiccups which are being sorted, after which more flights would follow.The LCA Navy programme commenced in 2003 and the development plan of the Naval version envisages building of two prototypes, a two-seat trainer (NP-1) and a single seat fighter (NP-2), as technology demonstrators to carry out carrier suitability certification and weapons integration.
Compared to its Air Force counterpart, the LCA is different as it has a new stronger and longer landing gear, arrester hook for ship deck landing, front fuselage drooped for better over the nose vision to facilitate ship landing, an additional control surface to reduce ship landing speed and consequential changes in various systems.The NP1 aircraft would be flying with the GE-F404-IN20 engine.
The LCA will replace the depleting Sea Harrier squadron and operate along the MiG29 Ks by 2014 from the Indigenous Air Craft Carrier which is being constructed at Kochi.The Government has already sanctioned limited series production of the LCA Navy under which eight aircraft would be developed.
Light Combat Aircraft -LCA naval variant all at sea - Bangalore - DNA
But you don't need a fully fledged naval carrier fighter, to gain experience and you don't use a less capable light class fighter to defend a high value target like a carrier from modern medium or even heavy class fighters! 
Both AF & naval project should go simultaneously. If not it take another 15yrs for this project to complete.
