That's the easiest of the challenges. My doubts arise from the assumptions that first flight will occur this year, testing will be completed in 3 years and orders will be placed during testing phase or immediately upon completion of testing.
LCA AF Mk2 (Medium Weight Fighter) - News and discussions
- Thread starter Schwifty
- Start date
You can expect roll out this year and first flight early next year.
But the biggest roadblock to 3 year test flight to production is procedural timelines. Under current DPP, it will 2 years minimum just to process any order. Also, currently for a new platform, they require a small Limited Series Production order to be delivered and satisfied before moving towards a full-rate production order (Like LUH, LCH etc).
My hopes are all on the new Defense Acquisition Procedure that is supposed to be released this year to reduce the timelines. Otherwise, do not expect any production orders to be placed in the next 5 years. It's just not possible.
I'd like to ask the experience people here one thing
Tejas mk2 currently will have a 98kn engine in a form factor just above mk1a. Its a 17.5 ton mtow aircraft, highly unlikely that it would be able to carry heavy missiles.
So can we enlarge it a bit and give it a much more powerful engine like al41, obviously when we have enough mk2
So can we convert this mk2 into a 23-24 ton single engine fighter like the f16
If its possible then how much time and testing would it require to convert it into a heavier aircraft in further iteration with much more capable ew systems and engine
If it would be possible then 250 mk2 and 200 mk2 upg would be a nightmare for chowmeins and piejaans
Tejas mk2 currently will have a 98kn engine in a form factor just above mk1a. Its a 17.5 ton mtow aircraft, highly unlikely that it would be able to carry heavy missiles.
So can we enlarge it a bit and give it a much more powerful engine like al41, obviously when we have enough mk2
So can we convert this mk2 into a 23-24 ton single engine fighter like the f16
If its possible then how much time and testing would it require to convert it into a heavier aircraft in further iteration with much more capable ew systems and engine
If it would be possible then 250 mk2 and 200 mk2 upg would be a nightmare for chowmeins and piejaans
Tejas is designed around US engines. There is no way we would ever put Russian engines into it. If US puts an engine embargo then French are the best option and looking at the size of M-88 there is no question of enlarging MK2, IMO.
I mean to say is it possible to develop a further iteration of mk2?? In future. Like the f16 way.
Yes, when amca's 120kn engine is developed, we can use it on future varients of tejas mk2.
That iteration would be unlikely to enter service before 2040. It doesn't make sense to induct a 4+ gen fighter in 2040. Currently planned mk2 would be sufficient for Pakistan as it is a narrow country, and the ranges of standoff weapons have come a long way and will keep improving in future. Our focus needs to be on getting the AMCA ready ASAP to counter the 5th gen threat.
We can just upgrade the in-service tejas mk2 with amca's engine around ~2040., and addition of cft, for more range, payload, more electrical power.
The OP is suggesting that the LCA mk2 be developed into a 23-24 ton SE fighter. What wouldn't happen without significant modifications to the airframe. It would be beyond the scope of an MLU.
We could have had a 26-ton DE fighter jet by now, had it been given the go-ahead. It was supposed to be there even before the AMCA
EJ200. Yeas we have to do rework on LCA mk2 in that case, but getting a more advanced engine with flexibility to increase the thrust with minimal changes.
Infact, i was in an impression that we will choose EJ200 when the selction process between EJ & GE was on between these for LCA mk2. But ADA indeed choose a cheap & easy way and paying the price now.
There was a plan for twin engine follow on project to LCA called MCA, a conventional airframe design. They droped that concept and went to stealth design and add an "A" infront of "MCA".
This fellow was ridiculously accurate in most cases, i am bit scared now.
@randomradio @vstol Jockey @Gautam @Rajput Lion is this true?
He is probably thinking that HAL will have to complete the mk 1A orders before starting the production of mk 2 because the mk 1A facilities will be modified to fulfill the mk2 orders, atleast that's the plan afaik.
So even at 24 per year, you won't be able to complete the 180 aircraft orders in the next 4-6 years. This is why he is saying that. Though you could see a new facility being made especially for the mk2 aircraft, or they may reduce the rate of production for mk 1A and modify 1 of the mk1A facilities into a mk2 production line. There is also a possibility of HAL producing more than the 24 per year capacity if there are no bottlenecks.
Conclusion, nothing is known regarding mk2 orders, not even the no. of aircrafts, so no point in speculations or listening to others opinions. Just wait and watch.
Its quite obvious IAF want that avenue kept open for imported items and not too keen on indigenous solution. From practical purpose it is correct, you can use these for foreign aerial exercises. Adds a degree of uncertainty in the inventory with different weapon options, form factor etc.
wishful thinking on the could have had part given the aero MIC within the country is struggling with lca itself for over 20 years now. As an user why would IAF share the burden created by inefficiency at MoD , HAL and psu industry level? very rarely we have seen any Govt official openly criticising a psu because they all eat from the same plate and share the same ashtray.
In "most" cases
Mk2 will happen, the problem is the engine. I just hope the Rafales don't trim down Mk2 numbers...
I say get M88-4.
Can M 88-4 fly in India's air properly? I am pretty sure due to the air pollution some engines would require some modifications. I might be amplifying the effect of the air because I lack the technical knowledge in this field.