Very close to metal cutting and we can see flying mk2 by 2022 beginning. 4 prototypes planed and all will be production models.
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@vstol Jockey
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Tejas Mk2 (Medium Weight Fighter) - News and discussions
- Thread starter Schwifty
- Start date
Good. If metal cutting begins this year, then the first flight is possible within 3 years, so 2022. Use 3 years as the rule of thumb for this program.
What's the timeline for IOC & FOC of Gripen E? Any idea? Just for a comparison.
FOC hasn't been announced, but IOC will make it a full fledged fighter anyway.
IOC is planned for 2021 now, in both Brazil and Sweden. But delivery to both air forces will happen from this year onwards. Also, they will announce IOC after raising a squadron, whereas we announce IOC before a squadron is raised.
Advertised IOC was 2025 with first flight in 2022. So, if it flies in 2023, then assume 2026, and so on. FOC should happen 2 years later.
I guess FOC around 2028-30 would be more accurate. In which case we'd be manufacturing these planes all thru the 2030's with the AMCA's rolling out at the same time give or take a few years. Ironical!!
Yep. If we assume a 2030 roll-out, at 24 per year, we will take about 8.5 years to deliver all 201 jets. So that's 2039. Which is fine. HAL can look forward to 20 more years of producing fighter jets at the minimum.
Even the Chinese are taking deliveries of J-10 alongside the J-20. The Russians are going to induct PAK FA and Mig-35 in parallel. And the Americans will be upgrading 300+ F-16s which will fly all the way until 2050 while the USN will be inducting F-35s alongside the SH. So it's normal rather than ironic. But do note that all these aircraft are in different classes.
What would be ironic is if you induct the same class of aircraft at the same time but of different generations. For example, the Chinese plan to induct more J-11s alongside J-20. The USAF has renewed interest in an F-15X after having inducted the F-22 and the Russians may continue inducting Flankers alongside the PAK FA. Our equivalent would be inducting Rafales alongside AMCA.
The weirdest would be the USAF in fact. Switching back to the F-15 after ending F-22 production. And with a 20,000 hour service life, they will be operating it until 2100.
The most ironic would be if Vstol ends up operationalising the MSA before ADA gets the LCA Mk2 flying.
The Mark 2 will be operating alongside aircraft like J-10C, JF-17, Gripen E, Rafale, Typhoon, SH, Mig-35 etc globally all the way through to the 2060s.
So if we assume average life of about 30yrs that's 2060-65 and finally 2070 India will be the only major country using 4.5gen fly by wire fighters, while all major countries will have moved onto 5.5, 6th gen, 6.5gen fighters and and a few even completing or on the verge of completing 7th gen with fly by light and direct energy weapons by then.. GREAT....
That's like producing Ford model T, when world has moved onto Corolla, ford mustang, Porsche Cayenne, etc...
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So if we assume average life of about 30yrs that's 2060-65 and finally 2070 India will be the only major country using 4.5gen fly by wire fighters, while all major countries will have moved onto 5.5, 6th gen, 6.5gen fighters and and a few even completing or on the verge of completing 7th gen with fly by light and direct energy weapons by then.. GREAT....
That's like producing Ford model T, when world has moved onto Corolla, ford mustang, Porsche Cayenne, etc...
All countries in the world will continue using aircraft that are not shaped for stealth even in 2070, including the US. SH and F-15 will continue to be used even in 2080. USAF can fly the F-15 up to 2095-2100. You can make fun of countries using aircraft without stealth shaping after 2080 in fact.
AMCA will have fly by light and directed energy weapons.
Their reputation precedes them, I really don't expect mk2 flying by 2022, let alone 2025.
The airframe/fuselage design of the naval version has to be changed, to implement the larger gear and maybe (at least that was a specific requirement before) also additional fuel tanks. The air intake for any LCA would be a Y duct, no need to change unless changes for more airflow would be required. So it's just wider because of the wider airframe that as you also pointed out, allows a tandem BVR missile load out at the centerline, contrary to the IAF version.
New-generation Prototype Leads Gripen Renaissance
IOC/FOC for Brazil planned "officially" for 2019/23, for Sweden it was planned for 2023/26 could be even earlier now as latest reports suggest's.
Even if we accept the 2023 timelines for FOC and we get our MCA the FOC by 2028-30, I reckon it wouldn't be too bad. In fact, if anything, it'd be good.
The IAF version didn't changed much, which is visible when you compare the earlier MK2 and now the MWF
In fact the main problem still remains the same as it seems, carrying BVR missiles in strike configuration. The naval version has changed that problem, but is a dead end of course because it's years too late for IAC1 and not catapult capable for a potential IAC2.
So capability wise, it's still below all MMRCAs, but also time line wise far too close to AMCA. Not that I believe that ADA gets it done in time, but why procure an outdated MWF, when you can have AMCA close behind. Same as keep producing Jags till 2008.
