LCA Tejas Mk1 & Mk1A - News and discussions
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It's time now that MoD and IAF place orders for 83 MK1A quickly.
Meanwhile HAL and ADA should sort out the issues on twin seater version and get it certified and ready for operations.
Meanwhile HAL and ADA should sort out the issues on twin seater version and get it certified and ready for operations.
First Tejas FOC fighter takes to the skies with loads of upgraded features
By Anantha Krishnan M
MARCH 17, 2020
07:24 PM IST
A new variant of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas completed its first flight successfully.
Bengaluru: A new variant of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas completed its first flight successfully here on Monday. Piloted by Air Commodore K A Muthanna (Retd), Chief of Test Flying (CTF), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the Tejas SP-21 (series production) fighter took off from HAL Airport here at 12:54 pm and landed back at 01:34 pm after 40 minutes of successful maiden flight.
This is the first Final Operational Clearance (FOC) variant of Tejas fighter produced by LCA Division, the youngest wing of HAL. In the next two years, HAL will have to roll out 16 FOC Tejas fighters(including SP-21) and eight trainers for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
One of the key features of the new Tejas variant is the air-to-air refuelling probe giving it an edge during enduring missions. The new variants will be able to fly non-stop for over eight hours with air-to-air refuelling support, thereby giving a fillip to IAF operations.
During Tuesday’s flight, the airframe profile was tested in which the engine and aircraft performance was proven. As a mandatory practice, the pilot is said to have also flown an inverted sortie that lasted for 10 seconds.
During today’s flight the pilot pulled 8G and touched supersonic speeds which proved the air-frame and engine capabilities.
HAL sources say that Tejas SP-22 is likely to fly at the end of this month and two more fighters (SP-23, SP-24) will join the party by end of May. Tejas SP-22 is expected to undergo EGR (engine ground run) this week.
IAF Plans
IAF sources say that the second squadron of Tejas (No 18, Flying Bullets) will be formed at Air Force Station Sulur by likely next month, with the induction of first four fighters.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria who held the Tejas review on March 2 has told all stakeholders to work in synergy towards the effective operationalisation of the Tejas fleet.
The IAF Chief also reviewed the IOC, FOC, Tejas MkIA and Tejas MkII variants and asked DRDO and HAL to hasten up the development schedules.
In a recent interview to Onmanorama, the IAF Chief said that with the induction of the second squadron, IAF will enhance the operational utilisation of the Tejas.
“The Tejas has very good capabilities and as we gain experience we will continue to expand its operational utility in IAF plans,” Air Chief Baduria said.
Past Learning
HAL officials say that they have benefited immensely from the experience of producing 16 fighters in the IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) configuration. “The lessons from the recent deliveries of Tejas fighters to IAF have come handy for us in the current scheme of things. SP-21 could have flown much earlier provided the clearance for software configurations came early from the authorities,” says an official.
The LSTT (low-speed taxi trial) for SP-21 was held on March 10 followed by HSTT (high-speed taxi trial) on March 13.
FOC Features
SP-21 boasts of key features like air-to-air refuelling probe, Gsh-23 mm gun, pressure refuelling with three drop tank configuration, improved wing navigation lamp, tandem pylon and auto-low speed recovery to name a few. Here’s a quick glance at the new features :
Air-to-air refuelling probe: This novel feature of mid-air refuelling introduced to FOC variants will enhance the range without additional touch downs or pit-stops to refuel. This is the first desi fighter to have this feature.
Fuel system enhancement: Over and above 2350 kg fuel carrying capability of IOC variant with its external drop tanks of 1200 and 800 litres capacity, Tejas FOC has an additional 725 litres centre line drop tank with pressure refuelling.
Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles: The reliable Derby missile has expanded the firing envelope making it more lethal. This feature was tested and cleared for the entire FOC envelope via exhaustive study of missile separation characteristics.
GSH 23 mm twin barrelled gun: This Russian gun underwent extensive butt firing at Nasik before getting on board SP-21. The integral gun would give an edge to the pilot in case of a close-combat scenario.
Motivated Team
Despite the delays in rolling out Tejas SP-21, LCA Tejas Division ensured that the young team flocked together and stayed focussed in the last six months.
“Everyone is motivated here and they own the Tejas programme. The leadership ensures that even the suggestions of the junior-most staff is factored in. We have been trained right from the first day at this Division that the voice of customer is paramount,” says an employee.
According to her, the flat structure being maintained at the Division has enabled smoother decision-making practices.
Jubilant Scenes
HAL Airport witnessed jubilant scenes soon after the pilot touched down after the maiden sortie. Engineers, pilots, technicians, security staff and senior officials cheered as the pilot taxied in.
The pilot was given the customary shower on the tarmac soon after he came out of the tarmac soon after he came out of the cockpit.
The team members lifted the pilot holding a Tricolour with the roars of ‘high josh’ reverberating all over.
(The writer is an independent aerospace and defence journalist, who blogs at Tarmak007 and tweets @writetake.)
First Tejas FOC fighter takes to the skies with loads of upgraded features
By Anantha Krishnan M
MARCH 17, 2020
07:24 PM IST
A new variant of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas completed its first flight successfully.
Bengaluru: A new variant of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas completed its first flight successfully here on Monday. Piloted by Air Commodore K A Muthanna (Retd), Chief of Test Flying (CTF), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the Tejas SP-21 (series production) fighter took off from HAL Airport here at 12:54 pm and landed back at 01:34 pm after 40 minutes of successful maiden flight.
This is the first Final Operational Clearance (FOC) variant of Tejas fighter produced by LCA Division, the youngest wing of HAL. In the next two years, HAL will have to roll out 16 FOC Tejas fighters(including SP-21) and eight trainers for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
One of the key features of the new Tejas variant is the air-to-air refuelling probe giving it an edge during enduring missions. The new variants will be able to fly non-stop for over eight hours with air-to-air refuelling support, thereby giving a fillip to IAF operations.
During Tuesday’s flight, the airframe profile was tested in which the engine and aircraft performance was proven. As a mandatory practice, the pilot is said to have also flown an inverted sortie that lasted for 10 seconds.
During today’s flight the pilot pulled 8G and touched supersonic speeds which proved the air-frame and engine capabilities.
HAL sources say that Tejas SP-22 is likely to fly at the end of this month and two more fighters (SP-23, SP-24) will join the party by end of May. Tejas SP-22 is expected to undergo EGR (engine ground run) this week.
IAF Plans
IAF sources say that the second squadron of Tejas (No 18, Flying Bullets) will be formed at Air Force Station Sulur by likely next month, with the induction of first four fighters.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria who held the Tejas review on March 2 has told all stakeholders to work in synergy towards the effective operationalisation of the Tejas fleet.
The IAF Chief also reviewed the IOC, FOC, Tejas MkIA and Tejas MkII variants and asked DRDO and HAL to hasten up the development schedules.
In a recent interview to Onmanorama, the IAF Chief said that with the induction of the second squadron, IAF will enhance the operational utilisation of the Tejas.
“The Tejas has very good capabilities and as we gain experience we will continue to expand its operational utility in IAF plans,” Air Chief Baduria said.
Past Learning
HAL officials say that they have benefited immensely from the experience of producing 16 fighters in the IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) configuration. “The lessons from the recent deliveries of Tejas fighters to IAF have come handy for us in the current scheme of things. SP-21 could have flown much earlier provided the clearance for software configurations came early from the authorities,” says an official.
The LSTT (low-speed taxi trial) for SP-21 was held on March 10 followed by HSTT (high-speed taxi trial) on March 13.
FOC Features
SP-21 boasts of key features like air-to-air refuelling probe, Gsh-23 mm gun, pressure refuelling with three drop tank configuration, improved wing navigation lamp, tandem pylon and auto-low speed recovery to name a few. Here’s a quick glance at the new features :
Air-to-air refuelling probe: This novel feature of mid-air refuelling introduced to FOC variants will enhance the range without additional touch downs or pit-stops to refuel. This is the first desi fighter to have this feature.
Fuel system enhancement: Over and above 2350 kg fuel carrying capability of IOC variant with its external drop tanks of 1200 and 800 litres capacity, Tejas FOC has an additional 725 litres centre line drop tank with pressure refuelling.
Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles: The reliable Derby missile has expanded the firing envelope making it more lethal. This feature was tested and cleared for the entire FOC envelope via exhaustive study of missile separation characteristics.
GSH 23 mm twin barrelled gun: This Russian gun underwent extensive butt firing at Nasik before getting on board SP-21. The integral gun would give an edge to the pilot in case of a close-combat scenario.
Motivated Team
Despite the delays in rolling out Tejas SP-21, LCA Tejas Division ensured that the young team flocked together and stayed focussed in the last six months.
“Everyone is motivated here and they own the Tejas programme. The leadership ensures that even the suggestions of the junior-most staff is factored in. We have been trained right from the first day at this Division that the voice of customer is paramount,” says an employee.
According to her, the flat structure being maintained at the Division has enabled smoother decision-making practices.
Jubilant Scenes
HAL Airport witnessed jubilant scenes soon after the pilot touched down after the maiden sortie. Engineers, pilots, technicians, security staff and senior officials cheered as the pilot taxied in.
The pilot was given the customary shower on the tarmac soon after he came out of the tarmac soon after he came out of the cockpit.
The team members lifted the pilot holding a Tricolour with the roars of ‘high josh’ reverberating all over.
(The writer is an independent aerospace and defence journalist, who blogs at Tarmak007 and tweets @writetake.)
First Tejas FOC fighter takes to the skies with loads of upgraded features
Why not just go for MWF....it's metal cutting will start next year right ?.
So just chill for next 5 years and when it's somewhat ready say why not just go for AMCA ?
Inse Twin seater MK1 to certify nahi ho raha, aur ek bilkul new fighter jiska layout bhi abhi tak freeze nahi hua hai, uske bharose baithe IAF?
MK1A is a very decent system capable of replacing Mig21/23/27 roles and with the economic conditions prohibiting the 114 MMRCA completion any time soon, it's better to quickly press on the options we hold.
MWF has to undergo a few years of flight testing. Mk1A will be built in the meantime.
In Hindsight , ADA should have realised the limitations of GE 404 in terms of range ,loiter time , Payload capacity
If we had begun work on MK 2 based on GE 414 instead of this torturous MK 1 and MK 1A , in 2010 itself when GE 414 was selected then at least MK 2 would have got IOC By now
astra at best will be equal to 120c5 and AMRAAM was off the table due to Russian plane ,i hope Israeli too uses AMRAAM apart from derby . since elta 2052 is an Israeli radar, Should it not made sense to clear lca for 120c7 also.So astra plus 120c7 should have been a better choice for lca , rafale coming with meteor. With this we would have forced enemy into finding costly soln of different aam. At no point I am saying to use it in place of astra, it remain mainstay ,basically what i am saying till astra achieve the range and certainity of 120 c7 we should also include it in our arsenal if possible it will have a psychlogical impact on the bakis as they will be aware that lca armed with 120c7 will be more thann a match for f16 also it will deny them the certainity about the bvr they will be going to face in combat ,thus developing the counter of different AAM ranging from r77/astra /AMRAAM .
plus it will also remove the pressure from silver bullet meteor as i assume amraam will be cheaper due to inherent usa quality of scale.
this should have been adopted till we have sfdr ,astra mk2
@vstol Jockey @BlackOpsIndia @STEPHEN COHEN@randomradio @Bon Plan and others kindly chip in
@randomradio.26
plus it will also remove the pressure from silver bullet meteor as i assume amraam will be cheaper due to inherent usa quality of scale.
this should have been adopted till we have sfdr ,astra mk2
@vstol Jockey @BlackOpsIndia @STEPHEN COHEN@randomradio @Bon Plan and others kindly chip in
@randomradio.26
-Astra 1 is better than 120c5 with two way data link, enhanced ECCM etc.
-IsAF wanted Elta-2032(2052 was under development) for their Sufas purchased later 1990s but Americans deny the same hence they went with APG series. So there is no question of mating ARMRAAM to Elta radars.
-Astra mk2 with duel pulse motor is not far away, 2-4 years max due to commonality with astra 1.
-For the time being, we should get Derby-ER for LCA which exceeds 130+ range and the earlier version already integrated to LCA. hence it is easy.
ADA wanted to, but GoI did not allow them to. Mk2 got the go-ahead only after Mk1 reached a certain point in its development. By then, just making the original Mk2 was no longer enough and MWF came into being.
Amrika won't allow the integration of their missile on non-American/non-NATO aircraft using non-American technology.
We don't need the Aim-120, we can do things our own way. The I-Derby ER is a far superior missile compared to any AMRAAM version.
By the time the LCA Mk1A become available, the AMRAAM will be outdated, replaced by the more capable Aim-260.
Infact when Manohar Parrikar started pushing MK 1 to IAF , they frankly said we want MK 2 , and MK 1 A was the Compromise FORCED by the Govt
Now that post Balakot , they realised that we need BVR capable planes for 24 / 7 CAPS , the IAF is happy to take MK 1
2 Drop Tanks and 4 BVRs and we can drive away entire PAF with 40 MK 1 itself
We must thank PAF for firing those AMRAAMs on SU 30
It has shown the need for BVR capable planes for CAPs
They will again use JF 17s in the same manner ,ie shoot and scoot