Tejas LCA goes supersonic
09 December 2009
INS Hansa, Dabolim, Goa: The ongoing sea-level flight trials of India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which were carried out for two weeks over Goa air space, have been brought to a successful conclusion with the aircraft zooming around at a speed of 1,350 kmph (approx. Mach1.1). In the process it clocked its fastest speed ever, a top IAF officer said on Tuesday. The aircraft has steadily been crossing one critical milestone after another on the way to initial operational clearance in December 2010.
''The aircraft went past its ultimate speed of 1350 kmph on 7 December over the skies in Goa
after takeoff from the naval air station INS Hansa,'' Air Commodore Rohit Varma, project director (flight test), National Flight Test Centre, told reporters here.
''This is the fastest speed ever achieved by an Indian- made fighter aircraft,'' he said.
The aircraft also cleared the flight flutter test, diving from an altitude of four kilometres to near sea level at 900 feet.
''Tejas has already passed high-altitude tests in Leh, the desert rigours in Rajasthan and now it has proved its worth over the maritime space in Goa,'' Air Cmde Varma said.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the nodal agency for the development of the aircraft, had inducted three Tejas prototypes for these sea-level flight tests in Goa.
The IAF has already ordered 20 LCAs from HAL at a cost of Rs2701.70 crore. The first lot, or Mark I fighters, will be delivered by 2013.
The aircraft will also have a navalised version.
''It can fly from a base and also from an aircraft carrier,'' PS Subramanyam, director, ADA, and programme director (combat aircraft) said.
According to Subramanyam, the LCA-naval will have capability to take off from ski jump platform of aircraft carriers. ''The development of the naval version is progressing very fast. There are a few glitches but we will overcome them.''
The IAF is likely to base the lightweight multi-role jet fighters at Sulur in Coimbatore. ''They are earmarked for 45 squadron which will be the first LCA squadron,'' Air Cmde Varma said.
According to Subramanyam, "LCA is on its way for induction into the IAF after achieving the initial operational clearance in December 2010."
This was confirmed by air vice marshal Shankar Mani who told reporters that the
first consignment of four operational aircraft would be delivered by January 2011,
followed by eight in 2012 and another eight in 2013.
Meanwhile, N Shyama Rao, project director at ADA, said Tuesday that
HAL had undertaken a massive recruitment drive in order to expand the scope of production of the fighter planes, given the fact that it could only manufacture eight LCA on an annual basis.
'Currently we can manufacture eight aircraft per annum, which is extendable up to 12,' Rao said.
The
IAF will order an additional 20 Tejas fighters, which are likely to be the Mark II version.
The LCA will primarily
replace the IAF's ageing MiG-21 fleet, while the naval version of the LCA will replace the Navy's fleet of Sea Harriers.
'Even the Indian Navy will be ordering the LCA once the ski jump trials are validated,' air vice marshal Shankar Mani said. The ski jump enables the fighter craft to land and take off from the deck of aircraft carriers.
'After spending some initial years on shore bases, the
LCAs will also be posted onboard the Gorshkov, once it joins the Indian fleet,' Mani said.
He added that the naval version was still in the prototype phase.
According to ADA director, PN Subramanium, the LCA represented fourth generation technology. 'The LCA is contemporary in every sense, whether it is in terms of sensors, electronic systems, technology, weaponry, etc,' he said.
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