Frankly speaking, I am not worried about numbers as per news 18 you can see sp14 on the jig, so if you consider 11 months to complete a plane then HAL will complete16 plane 2018 dec end but again that may not be handed over IAF.so total 7 aircraft with flying daggers by end of 2017?
#TejasUpdate #3
— Anantha Krishnan M🇮🇳 (@writetake) December 16, 2017
6th Series Prod fighter from #Tejas flightline (SP-7), had its 1st flight on Dec 12. SP-5 from 2nd prod line (Aircraft Div, HAL) will be next 2 fly. Platforms up to SP-10 are under equipping final assembly hangar. Stay tuned for more updates. #DNKT
[In Pic: SP4] pic.twitter.com/PiQnpvxEcl
#TejasUpdate #4
— Anantha Krishnan M🇮🇳 (@writetake) December 17, 2017
SP-8 to SP-10 are under equipping at Final Assembly. SP-11 & SP-12 to join soon. LCA Div developed interchangeability tools for all 147 panels & 830 pipelines out of 934 pipelines within the build of first 7 SPs itself. https://t.co/UGRFGGk7jN@akananth #DNKT pic.twitter.com/LZxYovmQsd
#TejasUpdate #5#IAF issues Rs 60K crore tender for 83 Mk1A #Tejas fighters to #HAL thereby giving a big boost to #MakeInIndia. This means 20 (IOC)+ 20 (FOC)+ 83 (MkIA) = 123.
— Anantha Krishnan M🇮🇳 (@writetake) December 20, 2017
83 dlievery will begin from 2019-20 period onwards after FOC contract. finishes @ajitkdubey @akananth pic.twitter.com/S47V8FUlO8
@Aashish @vstol Jockey @randomradio
I have question regarding the weapons configuration in LCA. Below is a picture from the official tejas website. We can see that only stations 6,5 (out-board pylons) can carry the CCMs. However, the mid and in-board pylons can only carry BVR and bombs. CCM being lighter, why can't we configure all the hard points to carry CCMs? Similarly, why cant we configure the station 7 to carry BVR?
In a recent CNBC video, the test pilot also confirms that only out-board pylons are configured to carry CCMs.
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I understand that the mission profile dictates the weapon configuration. But, what stops the developers from keeping the option available on the table? For example, if Tejas were to carry an air combat mission, it could carry air-to-air missiles on all the hard points. Similar to the below pics.
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You need to understand few facts regarding the wing design and structural loads associated with a wing design. The outermost pylons have a load limit of 150 kgs each so they are configured for CCMs. But all other pylons can carry CCMs as they are stronger. LCA was designed as fighter to replace Mig-21s which carried just four AAMs of which two were CCMs. LCA could carry six with one centerline D/T. the station 8 is so located that the exhaust fumes from the missile might get sucked in to the intakes. They need to revise the design of the pylon to ensure that hot gases do not enter the engine intakes.
with Multiple AAM racks, LCA can easily carry 2xCCMs on outermost pylons+4xCCMs on mid pylons+4xBVRAAMs on inner pylons. But that is based on the load limit of these pylons and also the interference caused by the airflow not creating vibrations from this configuration. Also we need to remember that the G-limits of any aircraft for any configuration are based on a specific weight of the aircraft. With such a load out of AAMs, LCA may not be able to reach 8.5G Limits and might get restricted to just about 7G. This G-limit will rise as the fuel is burnt and the missiles fired.
LCA is certified to carry CCMs on each pylon. Once you have the ability to carry a missile on an aircraft and designate targets, the missile can be loaded on any pylon based on wiring for each pylon. You are wrong to assume that CCMs are limited to just outermost pylons. Rafale can carry MICA on the pylons earmarked for Meteor.Thank you for the response.
I absolutely understand the fact that the outer pylons have limitations in terms of load. But my question was why cant we certify tejas to carry CCMs on all pylons (primarily Mid-board and inner pylons)? As you said, tejas can carry the missiles, but for some reason it is not certified yet for such a weapon config.
Is it because having the following configurations would be underutilisation of the aircraft's weapon carrying capability? Would there be any missions that might require tejas to carry such weapon configs?
Config 1: 2 CCMS on outermost pylons + 2 BVRAAMs on mid pylons + 2 BVRAAMs on inner pylons and 1 centerline fuel tank
Config 2: 2 CCMs on outermost pylons + 2 CCMS on mid pylons + 2 BVRAAMs on inner pylons and 1 centerline fuel tank
Config 3: 2 CCMs on outermost pylons + 2 BVRAAMS on mid pylons + 2 Fuel tanks on Inner pylons and 1 BVRAAM on certerline pylon (station 7)
LCA is certified to carry CCMs on each pylon. Once you have the ability to carry a missile on an aircraft and designate targets, the missile can be loaded on any pylon based on wiring for each pylon. You are wrong to assume that CCMs are limited to just outermost pylons. Rafale can carry MICA on the pylons earmarked for Meteor.
Though it is welcome news !! ... More faith can be given to HAL (yes , i know it is funny to say that) if they release some official details/drawings on what the Mk1A will be!Finally, Mk-1A takes a step from paper to production!
#TejasUpdate #5#IAF issues Rs 60K crore tender for 83 Mk1A #Tejas fighters to #HAL thereby giving a big boost to #MakeInIndia. This means 20 (IOC)+ 20 (FOC)+ 83 (MkIA) = 123.
— Anantha Krishnan M🇮🇳 (@writetake) December 20, 2017
83 dlievery will begin from 2019-20 period onwards after FOC contract. finishes @ajitkdubey @akananth pic.twitter.com/S47V8FUlO8
One-liner press release from HAL
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