LCA TEJAS MK1 & MK1A: News and Discussion

[Defcon 1]

That's before the year 2000, what happene with consecutive SEPECAT Jaguar & Mig-29 procurements... Nowadays they prefer debacles like MMRCA or SuperSukhoi upgrade to make a laughing stock of themselves.

Spreading joy over the world is their new motivation.

What was IAF's fault in MMRCA and supersukhoi upgrade?

 

[Bleh]

What was IAF's fault in MMRCA and supersukhoi upgrade?

None whatsoever!
It's absolutely necessary for them to carry out the whole MMRCA selection for another year, with the exact same set of jets... Not like they have sqaudrons to raise.

Super Sukhoi upgrade is gonna be THE benchmark for mid-life upgrade programs... Not only they've bought 270 Su-30s of the exact vintage configuration over last 2 decades without any modernisation, IAF hadn't ever considered scopes of inhouse upgradation with indigeneous tech like China did their J-11D, for even avionics let alone drastic composite insertion attempts.
Now by the time they are next-in-line for Super Sukhoi upgradation, atleast half of India's flankers will be 25-30 years old.

 

[Defcon 1]

None whatsoever!
It's absolutely necessary for them to carry out the whole MMRCA selection for another year, with the exact same set of jets... Not like they have sqaudrons to raise.

Super Sukhoi upgrade is gonna be THE benchmark for mid-life upgrade programs... Not only they've bought 270 Su-30s of the exact vintage configuration over last 2 decades without any modernisation, IAF hadn't ever considered scopes of inhouse upgradation with indigeneous tech like China did their J-11D, for even avionics let alone drastic composite insertion attempts.
Now by the time they are next-in-line for Super Sukhoi upgradation, atleast half of India's flankers will be 25-30 years old.

The MMRCA selection was done within time. Rafale was announced as winner way back in 2012. It is MOD's fault that they couldn't close the contract.

What are the major components of super sukhoi upgrade? Radar and engine. Which radar and engine is operational or under development in India which will fit in Sukhoi? NONE. China had been fielding fighter radars for decades before doing J11D.
As for the delay in upgrade, it is well known that the upgrade was delayed because of lack of funds. It is government's job to allocate money. IAF can only optimize it basis its requirements and threat perception.

 

[Bleh]

The MMRCA selection was done within time. Rafale was announced as winner way back in 2012. It is MOD's fault that they couldn't close the contract.

So, MMRCA v.2 evaluations of the same jets for another 1 year (and a half or two more probably) makes perfect sense.

What are the major components of super sukhoi upgrade? Radar and engine. Which radar and engine is operational or under development in India which will fit in Sukhoi? NONE. China had been fielding fighter radars for decades before doing J11D.
As for the delay in upgrade, it is well known that the upgrade was delayed because of lack of funds. It is government's job to allocate money. IAF can only optimize it basis its requirements and threat perception.

Correct... India couldn't install Elta-2052 (which raised controversy for being suspiciously similar to the Chink AESA radar) on it, or couldn't ship in AL-41 to reengine it, upgrade its avionics & subsystems at any point of time over the last decades.

 

[Defcon 1]

So, MMRCA v.2 evaluations of the same jets for another 1 year (and a half or two more probably) makes perfect sense.
.

Yes it does. The fighters are not the same as they were 10 years back. F16 IN is not same as F16 Block 70. Rafale F3 is not same as Rafale F4. Not to mention that RFP needs to be different to overcome shortcomings of the previous RFP.

Correct... India couldn't install Elta-2052

No they couldn't. El-2052 is a smaller radar which wouldn't fit in MKI as it is.

or couldn't ship in AL-41 to reengine it,

No they couldn't because Al-41 didn't exist a decade ago.

upgrade its avionics & subsystems at any point of time over the last decades.

Such upgrades happen during MLU, not on your whims and fancies. Super sukhoi upgrade will be the MLU.

 

[vishnugupt]

Guys please, IAF/AI/IN did many blunders in past but it is not like that we are Piddies or AAPtards who have to blame others due to their ignorance. Now days Armed forces actively supporting all most indigenous projects except few things.DRDO is a design and research agency and these things take time to mature.Today actual villain are manufacturing units like HAL OFB and Shipyards.

 

[samsaptaka]

Guys please, IAF/AI/IN did many blunders in past but it is not like that we are Piddies or AAPtards who have to blame others due to their ignorance. Now days Armed forces actively supporting all most indigenous projects except few things.DRDO is a design and research agency and these things take time to mature.Today actual villain are manufacturing units like HAL OFB and Shipyards.

Don't forget MOD Baabus ! They are the no. 1 villains

 

[vishnugupt]

Don't forget MOD Baabus ! They are the no. 1 villains

No doubt, Bureaucracy is the one of biggest reason for india's slow progress but this thing could not apply on todays MOD environment. This Government is very strict and serious about indigenization.

 

[vishnugupt]

Tejas Mk 1 ( FOC ) will fly tomorrow.

 

[JKK]

Tejas Mk 1 ( FOC ) will fly tomorrow.

There should be an option to say I love the post and not just like

 

[vishnugupt]

Tejas Mk 1 ( FOC ) will fly tomorrow.

Sorry friends.
May be I was too much excited just to see word Tejas

 

[Assassin 2.0]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEJAS

 

[Bhurki]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEJAS

As much as i hate to be the bearer of bad news, people should be more worried there's only 16(operational, IOC) of these produced yet in 19 years.

 

[no smoking]

As much as i hate to be the bearer of bad news, people should be more worried there's only 16(operational, IOC) of these produced yet in 19 years.

Well, you shouldn't be worried because it is quite normal for a country to produce her fighter jets in such low speed. After India has never created an industrial basis which is large enough for WW3. Now she has to build everything from scratch, such as fully trained workers and even factory roof, etc.

 

[Bhurki]

Well, you shouldn't be worried because it is quite normal for a country to produce her fighter jets in such low speed. After India has never created an industrial basis which is large enough for WW3. Now she has to build everything from scratch, such as fully trained workers and even factory roof, etc.

You're forgetting that the same country, infact the same company half a century ago manufactured 150 jets within a decade-
HAL Marut.

So don't try to imitate the helplessness of beginners.

 

[Bhurki]

Thumbs up for Deccan Herald for this infographic.

 

[Prashant12]

HAL on a war-footing to roll out 4 new Tejas variants in 3 months

Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is targeting to roll out the first four Final Operational Clearance (FOC) variants of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in the next 3 months.

This will bear the series production numbers SP-21 to SP-24, thereby enabling the Indian Air Force (IAF) to smoothen the raising of the second squadron of Tejas to be based at Air Force Station Sulur.

HAL officials say that they are confident of the first flight of SP-21 sometime this month with the aircraft currently undergoing various system integration checks.

In September 2019, HAL officials had told Onmanorama that the SP-21 would fly out by end of December, but a software upgrade ensured that the platform had to wait a little more for the maiden sortie.

Currently SP-21 is undergoing various systems integration checks at the Tejas Division. HAL officials say that the first flight of SP-21 will be a ‘significant achievement,’ as the fighter has been produced within the shortest cycle time from the release of FOC in February 2019.

HAL says two more aircraft (SP-22 and SP-23) are already under equipping stage and SP-24 will be moved to the equipping stage by mid of January.

The target is to produce all four aircraft in this financial year and the balance 12 by March 2021. HAL needs to produce 16 fighters and eight trainers, all based on FOC standards.

“Usually aircraft production cycle time would be 18 to 24 months for the first aircraft from the receipt of drawings and associated documents. LCA Team has taken various proactive measures to ensure good supply chain for achieving this plan. We have taken risks for fabrication of parts much earlier before the release of drawings by way of simulating IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) configuration to FOC standards,” says an official.

As reported by Onmanorama earlier, the FOC block boasts of key features like air-to-air refueling probe, Gsh-23 mm gun, pressure refueling with three drop tank configuration (725 and 800\1200 liters), improved wing navigation lamp, in-flight wind mill relight and tandem pylon to name a few.

Active production line

The production facility at HAL is abuzz with activities as four sets of airframe structures (SP-25 to SP-28) are under advanced stages of completion. These structures will be ready to move to the coupling stage by end of March 2020.

“In these additional structures being built, one of the airframe structures will be dedicated for MAFT (Main Air-frame Fatigue Test Specimen), which will be used for testing to extend the life of aircraft to minimum 3000 hours of flying. Fabrication of this test specimen will be completed by March 2020,” the official adds.

With HAL opening doors for private players to speedup Tejas production, some of major assembly works are being undertaken at Dynamatics Technology Limited (front fuselage), Alpha Tocol (rear fuselage) and VEM Technologies (centre fuselage).

“All these works are progressing well and are expected to be available for coupling stage by March 2020. With the learning from the first structure build up, partners would be capable of increasing the production rate in the next year,” says the official.

With all these strategies in place, HAL is confident of completing FOC contract of 16 fighters by March 2021, less than 24 months from getting FOC. As per the current plans, HAL might next take up the work of 18 Tejas Trainers from next year to avoid a possible production holiday.

With the orders for 83 TejasMK1As to be inked soon, HAL has already put in place a strategic plan to deliver 16 aircraft per year.

“This will be from 36 months onwards from the date of the contract being signed for Tejas MK1As. And this could be likely from 2022-23 onwards with a target to complete the deliveries within five years (2028),” says the official.

The FOC variants of Tejas will be a ‘tech marvel’ with a series of modifications being incorporated into them. Based on the feedback from IOC-build aircraft, more than 10,000 PQs (Production Queries) have been incorporated into the new variants.

“In FOC variants the designers, engineers and pilots have looked at interchangeability as a key factor. We have daily inspection (DI) panels, drop tanks, hydraulic systems, fuel and environmental control system (ECS) pipelines and canopy in an interchangeable role. As desired, the FOC series will be surely a pilot’s delight,” says the official.

Back at AFS Sulur, the IAF is warming up to receive the newly-minted Tejas fighters from the FOC line so as to form the second Tejas squadron.

Sources confirm that Gp Capt Manish Tolani, who is currently part of the No 45 Squadron Flying Daggers, would be the CO of the second squadron. He has the experience in flying the Tejas, MiG variants and the Hawks.

As this piece goes live, the last of the two fighters from Tejas IOC series (SP-15 & SP-16) are set to head towards AFS Sulur in the next couple of days.

https://english.manoramaonline.com/...7/hal-war-footing-tejas-variants-rollout.html

 

[captscooby81]

Take it with truck load of salt please . they know how to fool the public these 4 aircraft's in war footing is just to close the year end books as march is nearing nothing else . HAL do nice hit jobs time and again they did a superb hit job just before the IPO was launched like HAL is going to churn out 16 jets bla bla bla and they shown 4 SP ready for delivery in 2 months time and once IPO happened fucking not even single aircraft delivered .

Though i want HAL to deliver 16/ year and deliver more LCA i am not going to buy this snake oil until they first deliver 12 aircraft's a year

 

[abhay rajput]

Take it with truck load of salt please . they know how to fool the public these 4 aircraft's in war footing is just to close the year end books as march is nearing nothing else . HAL do nice hit jobs time and again they did a superb hit job just before the IPO was launched like HAL is going to churn out 16 jets bla bla bla and they shown 4 SP ready for delivery in 2 months time and once IPO happened fucking not even single aircraft delivered .

Though i want HAL to deliver 16/ year and deliver more LCA i am not going to buy this snake oil until they first deliver 12 aircraft's a year

That will only happen for 83 orders because right now it will take hal approximately 20-22months for 16 jets in FOC. Basically they are delivering 9 jets per year.

 

[Suryavanshi]

Thumbs up for Deccan Herald for this infographic.
View attachment 41404 View attachment 41405

Pakistans flying Arsenal is reflective of its war strategy.
F 16 as the MVP with JF 17 as support to stop Indian Advancement in its territory, large fleet of bombers to destroy Indian war machine near border areas. Air Base, connecting roads, Bridges Rail lines, Ammunition Storage and anything that could aid our offence.
Next their mechanized divisions try to capture as much land as possible in Punjab and Rajasthan but mostky they'll try to capture populated areas like they did in 1965.
Capturing Populated land will be their main goal as that will cause a Moral defeat and act as a bargaining chip.
Next their Politicians create ruckus as on international stage and paint India as a aggressor.
In this way the cockroaches survives to cause Jihad another day.

They have a gameplan and hence their procurement reflects it, while we like to buy all sorts of stuff without any vision in mind.
It's my own opinion but nothing solid was decided on what to do with Pakistan until brasstacks.