Naval LCA will begin Second Phase of SBTF testing from March.

[Ronin]

According to sources close to idrw.org, Naval LCA NP-1 has completed first phase of testing of launches from Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF ) located at INS Hansa in Goa and from next month will commence Second Phase of launch testing .

In First Phase, Naval Lca has completed 6 ski-jump launches which were flown in Clean configuration without any stores (weapons or fuel tanks ). Data collected will analysed for any further refinements. Second Phase will involve ski-jump launches with Stores (weapons or fuel tanks ).

NP-2 which is a Single seater fighter variant of Naval Lca is all set to be flown to Goa early next month to speed up the certification of carrier compatibility tests at the shore-based INS Hansa.

As per updated information provided to idrw.org by its sources ADA now plans to start arrested landing trials for N-Lca by end of 2015 and NP-2 will be lead aircraft for the arrestor hook integration and was spotted with Dummy arrestor hook system in recently concluded Aero India 2015 air show in Bengaluru.

Rafael has also confirmed to a leading Defence magazine that Integration of Derby Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) has taken place on LCA but did not provide information if it was done on N-LCA or Airforces LCA Tejas .

 

[Hage Tado]

Crucial tests, hopefully there won't be any further delays in the N-LCA project and the navy would get their own indigenous birds which will prey on enemy ships as well as destroy land based targets.