N-LCA out of the hangar

[Farahvar]

landing gear diff between lca and naval lca

 

[SpArK]

Nice pictures, good going India.

 

[ganimi kawa]

This is the official release from GoI. (Sorry if posted earlier.)
LCA navy rolls out.

Following are some interesting points in the release.

1.Its primary role will be that of air defence and will provide a formidable platform with a higher thrust engine and an optimised mass for suitable replacement to the ageing Sea Harriers at a later date.

2.The NP1 is now ready to undergo the phase of systems integration tests leading to ground runs, taxi trials and flight. The first flight of the NP1 would happen by the end of this year.

3.A complete airframe called Structural Test Specimen required for structural testing is also being and tested as part of the Programme.

4.Auto throttle function reduces pilot load by maintaining constant angle of attack during the critical phase of a flare-less carrier landing.

5.Dimensions
Ø Span :8.2 m
Ø Length : 13.2 m
Ø Height : 4.52m

 

[trident2010]

Also there is no additional airintake as in IAF LCA's intake for improved airflow to engine.

 

[Hindustan Fighter]

Hi Guys,

Have anyone noticed that the aircraft has some thing like canards on the front.

 

[SpArK]

Is the nose droop unique for Naval LCA?

 

[Join]

Hi Guys,

Have anyone noticed that the aircraft has some thing like canards on the front.

Those are not canards buddy, those are called LEVCON ( Leading Edge Vortex CONtroller ) is a deflectable aerodynamic device in wing apex region LEVCON surface is deflected +20 (down) to 30 (up) from its neutral position.Downward deflection of LEVCON is used for reducing aproach speed for carrier landing

 

[Join]

Is the nose droop unique for Naval LCA?

Yes, see the difference

 

[ganimi kawa]

^^^ Yes, nose droop is indeed unique for NLCA.It's for better visualization of surroundings while landing on a carrier.

 

[Hindustan Fighter]

Is the nose droop unique for Naval LCA?

what is 'nose droop' ?

I am referring to movable LERX at visible from front view similar to that of PAK-FA prototype.
This movable LERX is not present on LCA mark 1 for airforce

 

[praveen007]

its me only or u all also noted that the rolled-out NLCA is twin-seater trainer. and any idea when 1-seater will b roll out

 

[ganimi kawa]

what is 'nose droop' ?

I am referring to movable LERX at visible from front view similar to that of PAK-FA prototype.
This movable LERX is not present on LCA mark 1 for airforce

Mate,what you are referring to is a LEVCON ( Leading Edge Vortex CONtroller ) it's not a movable LERX but can be crudely described as a movable flap in front off LERX.As to it's importance, check post no 75 of this thread!

 

[Hindustan Fighter]

Those are not canards buddy, those are called LEVCON ( Leading Edge Vortex CONtroller ) is a deflectable aerodynamic device in wing apex region LEVCON surface is deflected +20 (down) to 30 (up) from its neutral position.Downward deflection of LEVCON is used for reducing aproach speed for carrier landing

Hi buddy thanks for replying, are these LEVCON only meant for landing assistance or will they also improve aircraft maneuverability during flight.

 

[Join]

Hi buddy thanks for replying, are these LEVCON only meant for landing assistance or will they also improve aircraft maneuverability during flight.

There Are Upward and Downward Deflection for this Levcon.... Downward Deflection would Decrease its Speed and It would be also Useful for certain Maneuvers and I think it is used to reduce alpha on upper body surface also, not sure

 

[araz]

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft’s (LCA) naval prototype (NP-1) will be rolled out for the first time on July 6 here in Bengaluru, with Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Nirmal Verma on hand, sources tell AVIATION WEEK.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is in charge of the design and development of Tejas variants, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), ADA’s principal partner and main manufacturer, are currently giving the aircraft a final structural fine-tuning at HAL’s Aircraft Research and Development Center.

“The rollout of the aircraft signals that the platform is structurally complete, equipment installed, and plumbing and wiring completed,” a source says. “It will be on its wheels and can be moved by assisted power. A rollout is also a precursor to the next phase of ground-based system integration testing, engine ground run, taxi trials and the first flight.”
The NP-1 will have almost the same system architecture as the Tejas Indian air force trainer version.

The NP-1 trainer is scheduled to make its first flight by the end of this year and the NP-2 fighter one year after that. Both can operate from an aircraft carrier with the ski-jump takeoff and arrested recovery concept.

“The aircraft will get airborne in about 200 meters over the ski jump on the ship, [versus] a land-based takeoff run of about 800 meters,” a source says. “Landing on the ship is with an arrester hook on the aircraft engaging an arrester wire on the ship. The aircraft then stops in 90 meters, which is about 1/10th of land-based stopping distance. This makes the Tejas naval program extremely challenging, and we are happy with what the Naval Project Team based out of Bangalore has done so far.”

The 14-member NPT is headed by Cmd. C.D. Balaji (ret.), program director for LCA Navy, operating out of ADA.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) sanctioned development of LCA Navy in April 2003, and in December 2009 the CCS also approved a Mark-II version with a new engine. NP-1 will fly with a GE-404 power-plant, with 40% of the funding coming from the Indian navy and 60% from the Defense Research and Development Organization. The Tejas naval variant will replace the aging fleet of Sea Harriers, and the navy is said to have made an initial commitment to 50 Tejas after the platform proves its mettle.

Congratulations to our india nmembers. It is a proud day for India to roll out the jet.However, being structurally complete and hjaving a worthy and capable machine are 2 different things. From the highlighted bits it seems you are still far away from actually flying. Static and stress testing will then start as the stress on the frame of a carrier based jet is much more than an ordinary land based jet.
Secondly it seems that IAF has shifted from the norm of having twin engined fighter to having a single engined fighter for carrier based function. FOr obvious reasons this is a risky step and is a step away from the norm.
I have pointed these things out entirely for the purposes of generating debate rather than flame baiting.So take it in that spirit.
Araz