HAL developing new varaint LCA-1P

[charlie]

Well Tejas should have been inducted by airforce when it achieved IOC, more issues could have been figured out and more solution would have been implemented by now

 

[R.parida]

http://idrw.org/as-warfare-changes-...-combat-aircraft-is-a-good-choice/#more-76275

 

[R.parida]

Lately some good articles are coming up with some true remarks about LCA tejas

 

[pmaitra]

Lately some good articles are coming up with some true remarks about LCA tejas

Quite possibly because we have been tearing apart misinformed news peddled by the TRP hungry media.

 

[hit&run]

After hearing defense minister today, I think the real nomenclature should be modified LCA than 'mark or type' for this beauty. The same drift I got after reading informed posters at BRF.

 

[Jagdish58]

http://idrw.org/its-high-time-to-bring-mr-lca-to-silence-lca-critics/
It’s high time to bring Mr LCA to Silence LCA Critics

 

[R.parida]

Hey guys need your expert opnion to know more about combat radius of LCA Teajs vs JF-17

In Wiki LCA Tejas has combat radius of 500km and JF-17 has something beyond thousand km exactly 1,352km.

I did a calculation looking into their thrust, internal fuel capcity and fuel consumption. Keeping aside weight and external fuel capcity of both the aircrafts.


.....................................Units-------LCA Tejas -------- JF-17
Dry Thrust ------------------>lbf--------> 12100------->11510

Wet Thrust------------------>lbf--------> 20200------->19000

Internal Fuel Capcity ----->lb---------> 5366------->5130

To Calculate Fuel consumption
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/BGP/Devon/range_fuel_act.htm

LCA Tejas
Specific fuel conumption dry: 0.81 lb fuel /lb thrust per hour
Specific fuel consumption wet: 1.74 lb fuel / lb thrust per hour

Check specific fuel consumption
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_F404

Now if an LCA Tejas has 5366lb or 2458kg of fuel

Full Afterburner
20,200lb of thrust * 1.74 = 35148 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5366 lb of fuel / 35148lb of fuel = 0.152669 hours
So at full afterburner the LCA Tejas will run out of fuel in 9 minutes or precisely 9.2minutes.

Dry Thrust
12,100lb of thrust * .81 = 9801 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5366 lb of fuel / 9801lb of fuel = 0.547495hours
So at dry thrust the LCA Tejas will run out of fuel in 33minutes or precisely 32.85

JF-17
Specific fuel conumption dry: 0.77 lb fuel /lb thrust per hour
Specific fuel consumption wet: 1.85 lb fuel / lb thrust per hour

Check specific fuel consumption
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klimov_RD-33#RD-93

Now if an JF-17 has 5130lb of fuel

Full Afterburner
19000lb of thrust * 1.85 = 35150 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5130 lb of fuel / 35150lb of fuel = 0.145946 hours
So at full afterburner the JF-17 will run out of fuel in 9 minutes or precisely 8.76mins.

Dry Thrust
11,510lb of thrust * .77 = 8862 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5130 lb of fuel / 8862lb of fuel = 0.5788 hours
So at dry thrust the LCA Tejas will run out of fuel in 35minutes or precisely 34.73.

So looking into the time If we assume in combat situation both fighters using 50% each of full afterburner and dry thrust.

The total flight minute for LCA Tejas would be =(9.2+32.85)/2=21.025

The total flight minute for JF-17 would be =(8.76+34.73)/2=21.75

So if the time difference by the assumption is around 30 to 40 second how the hell in the world JF-17 having combat radius 3 times of Tejas. JF-17 seems special aircraft covering around 900km within a minute.

Need your expert opnion may be am wrong

 

[Jagdish58]

Hey guys need your expert opnion to know more about combat radius of LCA Teajs vs JF-17

In Wiki LCA Tejas has combat radius of 500km and JF-17 has something beyond thousand km exactly 1,352km.

I did a calculation looking into their thrust, internal fuel capcity and fuel consumption. Keeping aside weight and external fuel capcity of both the aircrafts.


.....................................Units-------LCA Tejas -------- JF-17
Dry Thrust ------------------>lbf--------> 12100------->11510

Wet Thrust------------------>lbf--------> 20200------->19000

Internal Fuel Capcity ----->lb---------> 5366------->5130

To Calculate Fuel consumption
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/BGP/Devon/range_fuel_act.htm

LCA Tejas
Specific fuel conumption dry: 0.81 lb fuel /lb thrust per hour
Specific fuel consumption wet: 1.74 lb fuel / lb thrust per hour

Check specific fuel consumption
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_F404

Now if an LCA Tejas has 5366lb or 2458kg of fuel

Full Afterburner
20,200lb of thrust * 1.74 = 35148 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5366 lb of fuel / 35148lb of fuel = 0.152669 hours
So at full afterburner the LCA Tejas will run out of fuel in 9 minutes or precisely 9.2minutes.

Dry Thrust
12,100lb of thrust * .81 = 9801 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5366 lb of fuel / 9801lb of fuel = 0.547495hours
So at dry thrust the LCA Tejas will run out of fuel in 33minutes or precisely 32.85

JF-17
Specific fuel conumption dry: 0.77 lb fuel /lb thrust per hour
Specific fuel consumption wet: 1.85 lb fuel / lb thrust per hour

Check specific fuel consumption
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klimov_RD-33#RD-93

Now if an JF-17 has 5130lb of fuel

Full Afterburner
19000lb of thrust * 1.85 = 35150 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5130 lb of fuel / 35150lb of fuel = 0.145946 hours
So at full afterburner the JF-17 will run out of fuel in 9 minutes or precisely 8.76mins.

Dry Thrust
11,510lb of thrust * .77 = 8862 lbs of fuel consumed per hour per engine.
5130 lb of fuel / 8862lb of fuel = 0.5788 hours
So at dry thrust the LCA Tejas will run out of fuel in 35minutes or precisely 34.73.

So looking into the time If we assume in combat situation both fighters using 50% each of full afterburner and dry thrust.

The total flight minute for LCA Tejas would be =(9.2+32.85)/2=21.025

The total flight minute for JF-17 would be =(8.76+34.73)/2=21.75

So if the time difference by the assumption is around 30 to 40 second how the hell in the world JF-17 having combat radius 3 times of Tejas. JF-17 seems special aircraft covering around 900km within a minute.

Need your expert opnion may be am wrong

As per pakis it can take on F-22 why can't it do 900km per minute

 

[A chauhan]

@R.parida though I am no expert but your calculations look right, Pakistanis as well as Chines are experts in spreading propaganda, they want to export their junk fighter to the third world countries, so providing false data and propaganda.

 

[Chinmoy]

@R.parida I think we should also take into account the empty weight of both the fighters. Weight would also play a major role in fuel consumption and range. Moreover as per http://www.jf-17.com/specifications/ it has fuel capacity of 5000 lbs not 5130lbs as mentioned in wiki :biggrin2:.

 

[kstriya]

http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2015/10/a-crash-landing-slow-and-painful-death.html?m=1
Who is this a*s face traitor Dave Majumdar, who is he to judge the LCA Tejas as the worlds worst aviation project and inferior to Junk fighter 17. Are these phoren maal fan guys having weed while writing articles...

 

[ersakthivel]

http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2015/10/a-crash-landing-slow-and-painful-death.html?m=1
Who is this a*s face traitor Dave Majumdar, who is he to judge the LCA Tejas as the worlds worst aviation project and inferior to Junk fighter 17. Are these phoren maal fan guys having weed while writing articles...

http://idrw.org/a-crash-landing-the-slow-and-painful-death-of-indias-air-force/#more-76649

All those 53 "shortfalls were rectified eons ago". If scumbags ho masquerade as journos cant even know that , means it is most probably a vested interest hit job.

And probably this article is "one of the worst ones written on mil aviation ever", Any dimwit can do thousands time better. No wonder it must be a paid article.

Sadly this article is atleast two years too late. Because now there is a clear cut development and induction plan along with solid number for tejas. These kind of stone throwing wont pay any more.

 

[ersakthivel]

http://idrw.org/rafale-deal-france-...s-worth-in-indias-related-sectors/#more-76574

It seems Tejas mk1 A card played by manohar parrikar has yielded results on Dassault rafale front.

WIth the tejas mk1 A taking up the main SHARE in replacing obsolete migs, THE URGENCY OF RAFALE IN MAINTAINING SQUADRON NUMBER HAS LOST ITS RELEVANCE.french are SEEING THE WRITING ON THE WALL AND now coming around for a reasonable deal on offsets.

Compared to the scandalous MMRCA deal by UPA gov which left Dassault as the sole winning bid holder being allowed to dictate terms on TOT, Offset and pricing front, the new Govt to Govt route is yielding results.

 

[R.parida]

INDIA's Indigenous fighter aircarft programme: what we learnt from Past

The criticisms are not new, the development is slow and they say time is constant here like a black hole circling over India. Many shortfalls and many waivers but still to see the bird on IAF’s hand, yes am talking about HAL Tejas (LCA), will take you back to 1960’s with up and downs in Indian aerospace industry and finally a glimpse of hope with a big order and future development plan.
What you need to have became credible force in Aerospace
Major world powers have capability to design, develop and manufacture fighter aircraft indigenously. Technically, this would include all major components - aero-engines, radar, aircraft design, metallurgy, weapons and sensors. Currently only USA, Russia, France and UK have these capabilities and are followed closely by Germany, Italy, China and Sweden.
Background
Good start but poor follow-up has continued to challenge India’s desire to master aerospace technology. India’s desire to build its own fighter jet began well with the HF-24 Marut program. The project was approved in 1957 and the first prototype flew in 1961 - a mere four years later. The first squadron went operational in 1967. However, the program encountered a premature end in 1982 due to the short-sightedness of the IAF, Government and HAL. The political leadership and the bureaucracy displayed inexperience and strategic carelessness during HF-24 Marut development and operational life. The end result was withering away of precious knowledge gained over the development. During the same period, HAL shifted its focus to production of MiG-21s under license.
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) decision was taken in 1983 in order to replace aging MiG-21s manufactured during 1970's and 80's, as most of them were expected to be phased out in the 1990s. The indigenous design and development of LCA was sanctioned in 1983 and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was constituted in June 1984. IAF issued requirement in October 1985 with a projected requirement of 220 aircrafts (200 fighters and 20 trainers), to be inducted by 1994.
Why LCA, as opposed to MCAs (Rafale, Eurofighter) or HCAs (Sukhoi 30 Mki)?
This concept of LCA has been a source of much study and research to achieve performance requirements at affordable cost. This became more feasible in the jet age as emphasis shifted to getting the same performance with relatively lower thrust engine. The Gnat aircraft, which the IAF flew effectively in 1965 and 1971 wars, was a light weight fighter whose performance in its category was excellent, at minimal cost. This left a lasting impression on IAF and hence the decision for LCA.
What went wrong? Or did anything go wrong, at all?
Prima facie, the perceived delay in the LCA project can be blamed on the lack of co-ordination between user (IAF), designer (ADA), manufacturer (HAL) and the Government, which made it impossible to deliver the LCA project in time. And one wrong was done more over the other – clubbing of Kaveri engine project with LCA. Kaveri engine got delayed because of India’s lack of experience in building turbofan engines. India did tie-ups with unreliable American companies at a time of not-so-good relations, and nuclear tests resulted in sanctions, which pushed back the project by few more years. From LCA decision being taken 1983, till the final operational clearance in Q1 2016 is 33 years – which seems very long. But after removing 4 years for funding gap (from 1989, when project definition was finished, till 1993, no funds were made available to LCA project) and 4 more for sanction issues, LCA project took 25 years. Ideally, world over a fighter jet project takes more than 20 years.
To build a fourth generation fighter aircraft from scratch with a countrywide aerospace ecosystem and research, testing and certification facilities in less than three decades is, by any standards, remarkable technology leapfrog. Anywhere in the world it would draw generous praise but in India, thanks to media attention with questionable intent. Even while mentioning reasons for delays in the program, DM Manohar Parikar agreed in Parliament that lack of trained engineers, infrastructure, including test facilities had played a major role.
How good is HAL Tejas (LCA) and where it headed from here?
Tejas test pilots continue to believe that the aircraft is more versatile than MiG-29 (primarily built for air-to-air combat), MiG-27 and Jaguar (primarily ground strike aircraft), and all variants of the MiG-21. They even say it can take on the Pakistan Air Force’s early F-16 variants and outclass the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder. Deliveries of combat standard units of Tejas Mk-I began on 17 January 2015, with final operational clearance (FOC) expected Q1 2016. In a major breakthrough IAF recently ordered 120 HAL Tejas. IAF wants the final version should have advanced (AESA) radar, air to air refueling, BVR missiles and electronic jammers to block enemy radars.
Future Developments
ADA is also working on an improved version, HAL Tejas Mk-II, with greater capability based on Indian Navy’s prolonged requirements. Looking into higher drag on water surface HAL Tejas Mk-II will be powered with GE F-414 engines that produce 98kN of peak thrust. Apart from engine, Tejas Mk-II will feature upgraded avionics, more advanced radar and longer combat radius.
Meanwhile a nation surrounded with two aggressive neighbors can’t afford to have just fourth generation fighter. The Chinese today are flying two fifth generation fighter prototypes, one of the fighter J-20 going to be in series production from next year onwards and intended to export to friendly nations. While India realized the situation back in 2008 and started a JV with Russia to develop fifth generation fighter (FGFA) but lack of co-ordination between the nations stalled the project sometime back and IAF now wants to buy Russian version of FGFA T-50 on Government to Government agreement.
Meanwhile IAF with his local partner ADA wants to develop an indigenous fifth generation fighter (AMCA). At the moment the project is out of definition phase and entering to funding phase. AMCA is a much bigger program compared to LCA, in LCA the country leapfrogged from nowhere to fourth generation fighter aircraft. In case of AMCA while the LCA platform will help us, however, our scientist needs to crack number crucial technology like advance radar, Stealth technology and high power engine, currently USA and Russia possesses the technology and China somehow successful. To make the project successful we need larger Research and development base with serious funding upfront.
Now, the good news
In the process of building an indigenous fighter aircraft, India has almost solved the puzzle of fighter aircraft building. With favorable conditions, and proper planning, the successor of Kaveri engines will hopefully be ready by the time India is ready to produce the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The LCA project has built India’s capabilities in fighter aircraft production from ground up. India can repeat the same success story with AMCA, only this time faster. As they say, it is only hard the first time!

http://orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=62729

 

[Kharavela]

INDIA's Indigenous fighter aircarft programme: what we learnt from Past

The criticisms are not new, the development is slow and they say time is constant here like a black hole circling over India. Many shortfalls and many waivers but still to see the bird on IAF’s hand, yes am talking about HAL Tejas (LCA), will take you back to 1960’s with up and downs in Indian aerospace industry and finally a glimpse of hope with a big order and future development plan.
What you need to have became credible force in Aerospace
Major world powers have capability to design, develop and manufacture fighter aircraft indigenously. Technically, this would include all major components - aero-engines, radar, aircraft design, metallurgy, weapons and sensors. Currently only USA, Russia, France and UK have these capabilities and are followed closely by Germany, Italy, China and Sweden.
Background
Good start but poor follow-up has continued to challenge India’s desire to master aerospace technology. India’s desire to build its own fighter jet began well with the HF-24 Marut program. The project was approved in 1957 and the first prototype flew in 1961 - a mere four years later. The first squadron went operational in 1967. However, the program encountered a premature end in 1982 due to the short-sightedness of the IAF, Government and HAL. The political leadership and the bureaucracy displayed inexperience and strategic carelessness during HF-24 Marut development and operational life. The end result was withering away of precious knowledge gained over the development. During the same period, HAL shifted its focus to production of MiG-21s under license.
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) decision was taken in 1983 in order to replace aging MiG-21s manufactured during 1970's and 80's, as most of them were expected to be phased out in the 1990s. The indigenous design and development of LCA was sanctioned in 1983 and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was constituted in June 1984. IAF issued requirement in October 1985 with a projected requirement of 220 aircrafts (200 fighters and 20 trainers), to be inducted by 1994.
Why LCA, as opposed to MCAs (Rafale, Eurofighter) or HCAs (Sukhoi 30 Mki)?
This concept of LCA has been a source of much study and research to achieve performance requirements at affordable cost. This became more feasible in the jet age as emphasis shifted to getting the same performance with relatively lower thrust engine. The Gnat aircraft, which the IAF flew effectively in 1965 and 1971 wars, was a light weight fighter whose performance in its category was excellent, at minimal cost. This left a lasting impression on IAF and hence the decision for LCA.
What went wrong? Or did anything go wrong, at all?
Prima facie, the perceived delay in the LCA project can be blamed on the lack of co-ordination between user (IAF), designer (ADA), manufacturer (HAL) and the Government, which made it impossible to deliver the LCA project in time. And one wrong was done more over the other – clubbing of Kaveri engine project with LCA. Kaveri engine got delayed because of India’s lack of experience in building turbofan engines. India did tie-ups with unreliable American companies at a time of not-so-good relations, and nuclear tests resulted in sanctions, which pushed back the project by few more years. From LCA decision being taken 1983, till the final operational clearance in Q1 2016 is 33 years – which seems very long. But after removing 4 years for funding gap (from 1989, when project definition was finished, till 1993, no funds were made available to LCA project) and 4 more for sanction issues, LCA project took 25 years. Ideally, world over a fighter jet project takes more than 20 years.
To build a fourth generation fighter aircraft from scratch with a countrywide aerospace ecosystem and research, testing and certification facilities in less than three decades is, by any standards, remarkable technology leapfrog. Anywhere in the world it would draw generous praise but in India, thanks to media attention with questionable intent. Even while mentioning reasons for delays in the program, DM Manohar Parikar agreed in Parliament that lack of trained engineers, infrastructure, including test facilities had played a major role.
How good is HAL Tejas (LCA) and where it headed from here?
Tejas test pilots continue to believe that the aircraft is more versatile than MiG-29 (primarily built for air-to-air combat), MiG-27 and Jaguar (primarily ground strike aircraft), and all variants of the MiG-21. They even say it can take on the Pakistan Air Force’s early F-16 variants and outclass the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder. Deliveries of combat standard units of Tejas Mk-I began on 17 January 2015, with final operational clearance (FOC) expected Q1 2016. In a major breakthrough IAF recently ordered 120 HAL Tejas. IAF wants the final version should have advanced (AESA) radar, air to air refueling, BVR missiles and electronic jammers to block enemy radars.
Future Developments
ADA is also working on an improved version, HAL Tejas Mk-II, with greater capability based on Indian Navy’s prolonged requirements. Looking into higher drag on water surface HAL Tejas Mk-II will be powered with GE F-414 engines that produce 98kN of peak thrust. Apart from engine, Tejas Mk-II will feature upgraded avionics, more advanced radar and longer combat radius.
Meanwhile a nation surrounded with two aggressive neighbors can’t afford to have just fourth generation fighter. The Chinese today are flying two fifth generation fighter prototypes, one of the fighter J-20 going to be in series production from next year onwards and intended to export to friendly nations. While India realized the situation back in 2008 and started a JV with Russia to develop fifth generation fighter (FGFA) but lack of co-ordination between the nations stalled the project sometime back and IAF now wants to buy Russian version of FGFA T-50 on Government to Government agreement.
Meanwhile IAF with his local partner ADA wants to develop an indigenous fifth generation fighter (AMCA). At the moment the project is out of definition phase and entering to funding phase. AMCA is a much bigger program compared to LCA, in LCA the country leapfrogged from nowhere to fourth generation fighter aircraft. In case of AMCA while the LCA platform will help us, however, our scientist needs to crack number crucial technology like advance radar, Stealth technology and high power engine, currently USA and Russia possesses the technology and China somehow successful. To make the project successful we need larger Research and development base with serious funding upfront.
Now, the good news
In the process of building an indigenous fighter aircraft, India has almost solved the puzzle of fighter aircraft building. With favorable conditions, and proper planning, the successor of Kaveri engines will hopefully be ready by the time India is ready to produce the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The LCA project has built India’s capabilities in fighter aircraft production from ground up. India can repeat the same success story with AMCA, only this time faster. As they say, it is only hard the first time!

http://orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=62729

Thank you Ranjan Babu for such lucidly written article in Orissa Diary. Your article will help the non-technical, layman readers to understand LCA-Tejas.

 

[Screambowl]

So LCA is actually a platform which they have developed to keep upgrading for next 20 years. After that they would need a new platform.

 

[Pulkit]

So LCA is actually a platform which they have developed to keep upgrading for next 20 years. After that they would need a new platform.

upgradation can happen anytime till the platform meets the requirements.

Many aircrafts from 90s are still in production batch wise so next 20 30 years is not a problem.
LCA TEJAS MK-1p can be called a upgraded version on the same platform but there is no batch production yet

 

[pmaitra]

INDIA's Indigenous fighter aircarft programme: what we learnt from Past

The criticisms are not new, the development is slow and they say time is constant here like a black hole circling over India. Many shortfalls and many waivers but still to see the bird on IAF’s hand, yes am talking about HAL Tejas (LCA), will take you back to 1960’s with up and downs in Indian aerospace industry and finally a glimpse of hope with a big order and future development plan.
What you need to have became credible force in Aerospace
Major world powers have capability to design, develop and manufacture fighter aircraft indigenously. Technically, this would include all major components - aero-engines, radar, aircraft design, metallurgy, weapons and sensors. Currently only USA, Russia, France and UK have these capabilities and are followed closely by Germany, Italy, China and Sweden.
Background
Good start but poor follow-up has continued to challenge India’s desire to master aerospace technology. India’s desire to build its own fighter jet began well with the HF-24 Marut program. The project was approved in 1957 and the first prototype flew in 1961 - a mere four years later. The first squadron went operational in 1967. However, the program encountered a premature end in 1982 due to the short-sightedness of the IAF, Government and HAL. The political leadership and the bureaucracy displayed inexperience and strategic carelessness during HF-24 Marut development and operational life. The end result was withering away of precious knowledge gained over the development. During the same period, HAL shifted its focus to production of MiG-21s under license.
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) decision was taken in 1983 in order to replace aging MiG-21s manufactured during 1970's and 80's, as most of them were expected to be phased out in the 1990s. The indigenous design and development of LCA was sanctioned in 1983 and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was constituted in June 1984. IAF issued requirement in October 1985 with a projected requirement of 220 aircrafts (200 fighters and 20 trainers), to be inducted by 1994.
Why LCA, as opposed to MCAs (Rafale, Eurofighter) or HCAs (Sukhoi 30 Mki)?
This concept of LCA has been a source of much study and research to achieve performance requirements at affordable cost. This became more feasible in the jet age as emphasis shifted to getting the same performance with relatively lower thrust engine. The Gnat aircraft, which the IAF flew effectively in 1965 and 1971 wars, was a light weight fighter whose performance in its category was excellent, at minimal cost. This left a lasting impression on IAF and hence the decision for LCA.
What went wrong? Or did anything go wrong, at all?
Prima facie, the perceived delay in the LCA project can be blamed on the lack of co-ordination between user (IAF), designer (ADA), manufacturer (HAL) and the Government, which made it impossible to deliver the LCA project in time. And one wrong was done more over the other – clubbing of Kaveri engine project with LCA. Kaveri engine got delayed because of India’s lack of experience in building turbofan engines. India did tie-ups with unreliable American companies at a time of not-so-good relations, and nuclear tests resulted in sanctions, which pushed back the project by few more years. From LCA decision being taken 1983, till the final operational clearance in Q1 2016 is 33 years – which seems very long. But after removing 4 years for funding gap (from 1989, when project definition was finished, till 1993, no funds were made available to LCA project) and 4 more for sanction issues, LCA project took 25 years. Ideally, world over a fighter jet project takes more than 20 years.
To build a fourth generation fighter aircraft from scratch with a countrywide aerospace ecosystem and research, testing and certification facilities in less than three decades is, by any standards, remarkable technology leapfrog. Anywhere in the world it would draw generous praise but in India, thanks to media attention with questionable intent. Even while mentioning reasons for delays in the program, DM Manohar Parikar agreed in Parliament that lack of trained engineers, infrastructure, including test facilities had played a major role.
How good is HAL Tejas (LCA) and where it headed from here?
Tejas test pilots continue to believe that the aircraft is more versatile than MiG-29 (primarily built for air-to-air combat), MiG-27 and Jaguar (primarily ground strike aircraft), and all variants of the MiG-21. They even say it can take on the Pakistan Air Force’s early F-16 variants and outclass the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder. Deliveries of combat standard units of Tejas Mk-I began on 17 January 2015, with final operational clearance (FOC) expected Q1 2016. In a major breakthrough IAF recently ordered 120 HAL Tejas. IAF wants the final version should have advanced (AESA) radar, air to air refueling, BVR missiles and electronic jammers to block enemy radars.
Future Developments
ADA is also working on an improved version, HAL Tejas Mk-II, with greater capability based on Indian Navy’s prolonged requirements. Looking into higher drag on water surface HAL Tejas Mk-II will be powered with GE F-414 engines that produce 98kN of peak thrust. Apart from engine, Tejas Mk-II will feature upgraded avionics, more advanced radar and longer combat radius.
Meanwhile a nation surrounded with two aggressive neighbors can’t afford to have just fourth generation fighter. The Chinese today are flying two fifth generation fighter prototypes, one of the fighter J-20 going to be in series production from next year onwards and intended to export to friendly nations. While India realized the situation back in 2008 and started a JV with Russia to develop fifth generation fighter (FGFA) but lack of co-ordination between the nations stalled the project sometime back and IAF now wants to buy Russian version of FGFA T-50 on Government to Government agreement.
Meanwhile IAF with his local partner ADA wants to develop an indigenous fifth generation fighter (AMCA). At the moment the project is out of definition phase and entering to funding phase. AMCA is a much bigger program compared to LCA, in LCA the country leapfrogged from nowhere to fourth generation fighter aircraft. In case of AMCA while the LCA platform will help us, however, our scientist needs to crack number crucial technology like advance radar, Stealth technology and high power engine, currently USA and Russia possesses the technology and China somehow successful. To make the project successful we need larger Research and development base with serious funding upfront.
Now, the good news
In the process of building an indigenous fighter aircraft, India has almost solved the puzzle of fighter aircraft building. With favorable conditions, and proper planning, the successor of Kaveri engines will hopefully be ready by the time India is ready to produce the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The LCA project has built India’s capabilities in fighter aircraft production from ground up. India can repeat the same success story with AMCA, only this time faster. As they say, it is only hard the first time!

http://orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=62729

What an awesome article. Thank you Sir. If I may have your permission, I would like to request the staff to consider this article for DFI front page.

@Yusuf, @Singh, @sob, @tarunraju, @LETHALFORCE, @Sakal Gharelu Ustad

 

[R.parida]

What an awesome article. Thank you Sir. If I may have your permission, I would like to request the staff to consider this article for DFI front page.

@Yusuf, @Singh, @sob, @tarunraju, @LETHALFORCE, @Sakal Gharelu Ustad

Sure Sir, it would be a privilege.

 

[Kyubi]

So LCA is actually a platform which they have developed to keep upgrading for next 20 years. After that they would need a new platform.

hopefully yes, they could actually improve the CFRP's %age in it significantly, newer and advanced joining technologies, self sealing fuel tank, RAM's , Modular architecture in software, Hardware. Multiple Ejector Racks, Kaveri uprated turbofan engines .