ADA Tejas (LCA) News and Discussions

[enlightened1]

LCA-Tejas has completed 1280 Test Flights successfully. (21-Jan-10).

* LCA has completed 1280 Test Flights successfully
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-129,PV3-191,LSP1-54,LSP2-125,PV5-1).
* 191st flight of Tejas PV3 occurred on 20th Jan 10.

(21-Jan-10)Tejas-LCA

 

[ZOOM]

I am highly worrying about slow rate of Tejas Test fligths, although it is equally understandable of testing such a state of the art platform, but ADA really need to pull up its soax and bring in some innovative as well as expressive measures to make test flights faster.

 

[palash_kol]

I am highly worrying about slow rate of Tejas Test fligths, although it is equally understandable of testing such a state of the art platform, but ADA really need to pull up its soax and bring in some innovative as well as expressive measures to make test flights faster.

Surely.....It is a matter of concern. How LCA can get IOC, I really dont know. I think of it everyday whether it can operational this year or not.>

 

[mattster]

If I am a senior IAF officer; I would think of the LCA as a major learning exercise for the Indian aviation industry, and not expect much more.

Unlike other countries that started their aircraft industries at the begining of WW-I and WW-II and had the time to develop all the necessary pieces in a gradual manner; India on the other hand jumped in and tried to do something that is very hard - build a 3/4 generation fighter from scratch.

So I am sure that senior IAF guys are probably not holding their breath waiting for the LCA to defend Indian skies. They are probably going to write the LCA off from their main fighter plans, and buy some LCA aircraft when it is finally ready and use it mainly for training young fighter pilots and the less demanding roles. Plus its probably going to be outdated by the time the IAF get it anyway.

They are probably only going to take the next version of the LCA seriously, and expect it to happen within a given time frame and expect it to perform to their standards.

This is probably the same experience that the Chinese PLAAF guys had with some of the planes that Chinese companies developed. Some of those JF-7 planes that are sold to 3rd world countries are not even wanted by the PLAAF themselves.

I guess every country that develops a new fighter will have to sacrifice the first production version as a big expensive learning exercise. Its just the price you pay for wanting to join this exclusive club.

 

[Armand2REP]

If I am a senior IAF officer; I would think of the LCA as a major learning exercise for the Indian aviation industry, and not expect much more.

Unlike other countries that started their aircraft industries at the begining of WW-I and WW-II and had the time to develop all the necessary pieces in a gradual manner; India on the other hand jumped in and tried to do something that is very hard - build a 3/4 generation fighter from scratch.

So I am sure that senior IAF guys are probably not holding their breath waiting for the LCA to defend Indian skies. They are probably going to write the LCA off from their main fighter plans, and buy some LCA aircraft when it is finally ready and use it mainly for training young fighter pilots and the less demanding roles. Plus its probably going to be outdated by the time the IAF get it anyway.

They are probably only going to take the next version of the LCA seriously, and expect it to happen within a given time frame and expect it to perform to their standards.

This is probably the same experience that the Chinese PLAAF guys had with some of the planes that Chinese companies developed. Some of those JF-7 planes that are sold to 3rd world countries are not even wanted by the PLAAF themselves.

I guess every country that develops a new fighter will have to sacrifice the first production version as a big expensive learning exercise. Its just the price you pay for wanting to join this exclusive club.

What India should have done years ago was what China and Pakistan did. Build what you can and import the rest. PLAAF now has healthy numbers of J-10s and PAF is well on the way to a full fleet of JF-17s. The J-10 may not be as capable as they would like, but it isn't like China has stopped trying to develop engines and better avionics that can be added later. At least they have a modern fleet of aircraft and will be upgraded in time. You don't go to war with the military you want, but what you have. A fleet of 120 LCA with imported engines and MRRs would be better than what they have now... a bunch of worn out MiG-21s.

 

[ppgj]

What India should have done years ago was what China

and end up like them?? no country gives them technology for fear of being pirated and competed with those pirated copies.

and Pakistan did.

pakistan does not get latest tech either. they get at best 1 or 2 gen old ones. this also due to their proximity with china. and they can't afford too.

Build what you can and import the rest.

india is doing exactly that. but yes, being a democracy and red tape, GOI's own inaction hinder the process.

PLAAF now has healthy numbers of J-10s and PAF is well on the way to a full fleet of JF-17s.

but still they depend on Russia for engines.

The J-10 may not be as capable as they would like, but it isn't like China has stopped trying to develop engines and better avionics that can be added later. At least they have a modern fleet of aircraft and will be upgraded in time.

true. same goes with india too. kaveri will grow parallely with imported engines.
our own older fleets either have been upgraded or being upgraded.

we may be late on LCA. but the aircraft is uptodate with technology. they have kept open architecture for future upgrades. when it becomes operational it will be modern.

plus tech developed for LCA have found their way into MIG 27, SU 30MKI etc.. something we can be proud of.

You don't go to war with the military you want, but what you have. A fleet of 120 LCA with imported engines and MRRs would be better than what they have now...

LCA mark 2 will be with EJ200 or F-414. the number as of now 40 including LCA with F-404. will increase as HAL starts production.

a bunch of worn out MiG-21s.

they still pack a punch with the latest upgrades. but yes they need to go to be taken over by the LCA's.

india's tryst with LCA is not for the present. it is a process to harness local talent and ability to create capabilities to build modern fighters on own. every country including France have gone thro' this saga, which is normal, before they became what they are today. in 20 years from now, india will be mostly on its own. LCA, experience learnt via PAKFA/FGFA and production of SU 30 MKI will keep india on the right side of the path.

 

[ZOOM]

To some extent it is very understandable about having idea of learning of making a Jet. We always make a lot about LCA's springs like IJT and Saras about their record breaking timeframe of bringing design from board to prototype stage. Then IJT and Saras are still no where near to induction in our Airforce and domestic airlines. Yes, we have upgraded aircraft on our own ranging from MKI to Mig-27s, but at the end of the day we have simply haven't done faster to bring something homegrown which least can do to reduce our dependence upon foriegn nation.

 

[Rahul Singh]

HF-XX Tejas for RD, not real but a dummy on truck. Looks same to one that was on display at aero-India 09.

 

[neo29]

We need more production lines , atleast 3 to 4 times more if we have to induct the LCA , mmrca and if at all in future the PAKFA/NGFA.

we should have simply designed it for the RD33 engines and gone ahead installing RD33 engines. if that was done we could have seen it flying by now. huge mistake by delaying it for engines.

 

[RPK]

why covering panels for the hinges of elevon - wing attachments is huge?

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[himanshugoswami]

Did the LCA finally take part in R-day flypast as was speculated?

 

[notinlove]

Did the LCA finally take part in R-day flypast as was speculated?

just a mock up . not the real thing

 

[ppgj]

Did the LCA finally take part in R-day flypast as was speculated?

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/01/exclusive-lca-tejas-tableau-for.html

no fly past. the tableau was shown.

 

[Zoravar]

Im slightly confused about the engines and I could be greatful if someone could clarify.The first batch of lcas will have f404 and second batch will have ej-200/f-414 right and last one will have our own kaveri right.Will they upgrade the older LCA's to kaveri or ej-2000/f-414 and will they upgrade the ej-200/f-414 into Kaveri.I would like some help.

 

[Daredevil]

Im slightly confused about the engines and I could be greatful if someone could clarify.The first batch of lcas will have f404 and second batch will have ej-200/f-414 right and last one will have our own kaveri right.Will they upgrade the older LCA's to kaveri or ej-2000/f-414 and will they upgrade the ej-200/f-414 into Kaveri.I would like some help.

You are right. The third version will have Kaveri engine developed in joint collaboration between GTRE and Snecma of France. This engine will also equip future MCA/NGFA.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Im slightly confused about the engines and I could be greatful if someone could clarify.The first batch of lcas will have f404 and second batch will have ej-200/f-414 right and last one will have our own kaveri right.

Right as per optimistic plans as of today.

Will they upgrade the older LCA's to kaveri or ej-2000/f-414 and will they upgrade the ej-200/f-414 into Kaveri.I would like some help.

Both eurojet and GE have claimed that their engines fit in the existing hole of LCA MK-1. However truth will come out only when ADA starts to put any of the two in. Assuming that claims of both EJ and GE true, i can definitely say that LCA MK-1 will be brought upto MK-2 or directly to MK-3(re-engine the airframe with JV Kaveri) level when desired. On another side. A fighter jet like LCA with advanced composite airframe have three times the life of a turbo-fan engine. So theoretically a fighter jet like LCA will need three engines in total throughout its life. If this theory goes right and IAF procures seven squadron of LCA then atleat 300 JV Kaveri will be required to support the IAF's LCA fleet throughout its life.

 

[SATISH]

why covering panels for the hinges of elevon - wing attachments is huge?

It is the TD and the wing attachments arent that huge. The Elevons are covered in case there are no wing attachments. It is smaller in the LSP series. It is also to control the vortices formed.

 

[neo29]

@rahul singh

EJ200 fits easily in LCA, GE 414 requires some modifications, iaf insistent on having EJ200 to avoid any more delays. either of these engines should serve lca for 20 years atleast easily. thats long enough for the kaveri to be ready, so nothing to worry about. currently all we need to worry is which of these engines are chosen and when are they going to install it.

 

[RPK]

It is the TD and the wing attachments arent that huge. The Elevons are covered in case there are no wing attachments. It is smaller in the LSP series. It is also to control the vortices formed.

This is also act as hardpoints for weapons, tanks ..etc? & where is 23 mm twin-barrel gun is mounted on LCA?

 

[Rahul Singh]

GSH-23's twin barrels are marked in red.