LCA TEJAS MK1 & MK1A: News and Discussion

[rohit b3]

Had IAF ordered more LCA MK1 FOC:
1) Diminishing squadron strength wouldn't be a headache now.
2) Our pilots wouldn't have to risk their lives on flying coffins.
3) By insisting participation of private players, an alternative of HAL would have born. (Example: L&T have delivered 51st K9 Vajra before schedule).

Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.

To keep it simple,those days IAF was trying to kill the Tejas and order 126 MMRCA to whichever foreign vendor who gives them the most bribes/kickbacks.

 

[Bleh]

Said by indranil......
Not an official one though
@Bleh

Seen it, I follow BRF... from the shore based facility at Goa NLCA had taken with full fuel & 2 CCMs only. Apparently they'd pushed it on Vikki.
But do go check their latest postings in Mark 1 & Mark 1A thread too!

LCA & NLCA in Aero India 2017;

 

[patriots]

There was a 'conference' by SIATI on Fri Sat at HAL Convention Centre. Got some gyan from the presentations.

1. HAL really upbeat about completing the FOC Mk1 by March 2021.
2. Two of the IOC Mk1s are about to be handed over to IAF in 'these days'. Four FOC to be handed over before FY closes.
3. They are going full steam ahead with Mk1A. Order signing is only a formality.
4. The presentation said the engine is "F404-GE-IN30" and the guy actually said IN30. I can't recall such a designation. Neither can't google uncle. Either the guy have no clue and repeated a typo madce by the intern who typed in the ppt, or we at BRF have no clue.
5. Daggers flew 2500 operational hours and 3 aircraft completed the 250Hr servicing.
6. 311 "modifications" done concurrently in production
7. 82 LRU suppliers for 344 types out of which 210 are indigenous
8. High failure rate of 34 types LRUs which is still being worked on.
9. 3084 Machined parts
10. 172 Rubber parts
11. 4329 Sheet MEtal PArts.
12. 1106 Pipes
13. 10 Acrylic / Plastic parts
14. 427 Composite Parts
15. Capacity is 16 Aircraft. 8 at LCA Division, 4 At Aircraft Division and 4 at oursourced suppliers (Alpha Tocol, TAML, L&T and VEM). (Doesn't really add up)
16. 6 sets of Jigs. 4 at Tejas Division, 1 at Aircraft Division and 1 at subcontractor sites. (front jig at DTL, Rear jig at Alpha and mid at VEM)
17. They reduced cycle times by adding sub-sub assy jigs.
18. 43 types of jigs required.
19. Jigs calibrated to 8 micron using a laser measurement system. That is quite fast. Full interchangeability achieved.
20. Present cycle time: 6 months per set. He outlined the plans to increase and reach the target of 16 sets.
21. 7200 holes to be drilled per set of wing!!! They bought a robotic drilling machine that brought down the cycle time from 30 days/20ppl to 10 days/2ppl. Accuracy also improved. Better cleanliness since composite debris is vacuumed off by the robot
22. 185 panels are made interchangeability compliant. Include 24 nos of daily inspection panels. Extensive tooling made for panels.
23. All Pipe assemblies are made using jigs for full interchangeability and advanced sub assy preparation.

Senior manager of HAL in a one-on-one meeting says "LCA can crash only if it runs out of fuel". We all touched the wooden table and made a silent prayer.

The TED BF picture is just that, "a picture that people didn't reject right away" during the brainstorming.

Update from..brf

 

[patriots]

Seen it, I follow BRF... from the shore based facility at Goa NLCA had taken with full fuel & 2 CCMs only. Apparently they'd pushed it on Vikki.
But do go check their latest postings in Mark 1 & Mark 1A thread too!

LCA & NLCA in Aero India 2017;View attachment 41797

Tejas was tested with 2 ccm and 2 bvrs ...
In shore based test facilitiy goa

 

[patriots]

Tejas was tested with 2 ccm and 2 bvrs ...
In shore based test facilitiy goa

2 derby...
2 r73.......
................

 

[Bleh]

Tejas was tested with 2 ccm and 2 bvrs ...
In shore based test facilitiy goa

Different takeoff probably.................

 

[IndianHawk]

There was a 'conference' by SIATI on Fri Sat at HAL Convention Centre. Got some gyan from the presentations.

1. HAL really upbeat about completing the FOC Mk1 by March 2021.
2. Two of the IOC Mk1s are about to be handed over to IAF in 'these days'. Four FOC to be handed over before FY closes.
3. They are going full steam ahead with Mk1A. Order signing is only a formality.
4. The presentation said the engine is "F404-GE-IN30" and the guy actually said IN30. I can't recall such a designation. Neither can't google uncle. Either the guy have no clue and repeated a typo madce by the intern who typed in the ppt, or we at BRF have no clue.
5. Daggers flew 2500 operational hours and 3 aircraft completed the 250Hr servicing.
6. 311 "modifications" done concurrently in production
7. 82 LRU suppliers for 344 types out of which 210 are indigenous
8. High failure rate of 34 types LRUs which is still being worked on.
9. 3084 Machined parts
10. 172 Rubber parts
11. 4329 Sheet MEtal PArts.
12. 1106 Pipes
13. 10 Acrylic / Plastic parts
14. 427 Composite Parts
15. Capacity is 16 Aircraft. 8 at LCA Division, 4 At Aircraft Division and 4 at oursourced suppliers (Alpha Tocol, TAML, L&T and VEM). (Doesn't really add up)
16. 6 sets of Jigs. 4 at Tejas Division, 1 at Aircraft Division and 1 at subcontractor sites. (front jig at DTL, Rear jig at Alpha and mid at VEM)
17. They reduced cycle times by adding sub-sub assy jigs.
18. 43 types of jigs required.
19. Jigs calibrated to 8 micron using a laser measurement system. That is quite fast. Full interchangeability achieved.
20. Present cycle time: 6 months per set. He outlined the plans to increase and reach the target of 16 sets.
21. 7200 holes to be drilled per set of wing!!! They bought a robotic drilling machine that brought down the cycle time from 30 days/20ppl to 10 days/2ppl. Accuracy also improved. Better cleanliness since composite debris is vacuumed off by the robot
22. 185 panels are made interchangeability compliant. Include 24 nos of daily inspection panels. Extensive tooling made for panels.
23. All Pipe assemblies are made using jigs for full interchangeability and advanced sub assy preparation.

Senior manager of HAL in a one-on-one meeting says "LCA can crash only if it runs out of fuel". We all touched the wooden table and made a silent prayer.

The TED BF picture is just that, "a picture that people didn't reject right away" during the brainstorming.

Update from..brf

This is the learning curve from design to production to operations. Which can't come by assembling foreign planes . Kudos to everyone involved .

 

[wraith96]

Is there any possibility to replace GEf404 with EJ200 engine for Naval LCA. Both engines have almost same dimensions
EJ200

• Lengt: 398.7 cm (157.0 in)
• Diameter: 73.7 cm (29.0 in)
• Dry weight: 990 kg (2,180 lb)

GE f404

• Length: 154 in (390 cm)
• Diameter: 35 in (89 cm)
• Dry weight: 2,282 lb (1,035 kg)

 

[IndianHawk]

Is there any possibility to replace GEf404 with EJ200 engine for Naval LCA. Both engines have almost same dimensions
EJ200

• Lengt: 398.7 cm (157.0 in)
• Diameter: 73.7 cm (29.0 in)
• Dry weight: 990 kg (2,180 lb)

GE f404

• Length: 154 in (390 cm)
• Diameter: 35 in (89 cm)
• Dry weight: 2,282 lb (1,035 kg)

No point. Not much gain in thrust. Navy is even rejecting f414 based nlca MK2 and demanding twin jet fighter.

 

[Bleh]

No point. Not much gain in thrust. Navy is even rejecting f414 based nlca MK2 and demanding twin jet fighter.

Actually for very slight gain in length, you get 60-90kN instead of 55-85kN...the engine itself is 50kg lighter & of less diameter (less drag)!

But it's indeed too late now to do that.

 

[wraith96]

No point. Not much gain in thrust. Navy is even rejecting f414 based nlca MK2 and demanding twin jet fighter.

What!! theres 12KN of extra military thrust by ej200.... isn't that significant.

GEf404

• 11,000 lbf (48.9 kN) military thrust
• 17,700 lbf (78.7 kN) with afterburner

EJ200

60 kN (13,500 lbf) military thrust and 90 kN (20,200 lbf) (with afterburner)
Also ej200 is 45 kgs lighter than f404
dry weight of ej200 990 kg and for f404 1035 kgs.

 

[wraith96]

Actually for very slight gain in length, you get 60-90kN instead of 55-85kN...the engine itself is 50kg lighter & of less diameter (less drag)!

But it's indeed too late now to do that.

LOL what were they thinking.... wasn't ej200 available before...why did we went for f404.....and I'm thinking we're repeating the same mistake by opting for f414.... Air force will again cry foul for insufficient Thrust...why do we do this to ourselves

 

[Bleh]

...and I'm thinking we're repeating the same mistake by opting for f414.

Right now f414 got the highest thrust of its class & can only be outperformed if F414-EPE (115kN) happens, or K-10 works out as targeted (110kN).

 

[samsaptaka]

There was a 'conference' by SIATI on Fri Sat at HAL Convention Centre. Got some gyan from the presentations.

1. HAL really upbeat about completing the FOC Mk1 by March 2021.
2. Two of the IOC Mk1s are about to be handed over to IAF in 'these days'. Four FOC to be handed over before FY closes.
3. They are going full steam ahead with Mk1A. Order signing is only a formality.
4. The presentation said the engine is "F404-GE-IN30" and the guy actually said IN30. I can't recall such a designation. Neither can't google uncle. Either the guy have no clue and repeated a typo madce by the intern who typed in the ppt, or we at BRF have no clue.
5. Daggers flew 2500 operational hours and 3 aircraft completed the 250Hr servicing.
6. 311 "modifications" done concurrently in production
7. 82 LRU suppliers for 344 types out of which 210 are indigenous
8. High failure rate of 34 types LRUs which is still being worked on.
9. 3084 Machined parts
10. 172 Rubber parts
11. 4329 Sheet MEtal PArts.
12. 1106 Pipes
13. 10 Acrylic / Plastic parts
14. 427 Composite Parts
15. Capacity is 16 Aircraft. 8 at LCA Division, 4 At Aircraft Division and 4 at oursourced suppliers (Alpha Tocol, TAML, L&T and VEM). (Doesn't really add up)
16. 6 sets of Jigs. 4 at Tejas Division, 1 at Aircraft Division and 1 at subcontractor sites. (front jig at DTL, Rear jig at Alpha and mid at VEM)
17. They reduced cycle times by adding sub-sub assy jigs.
18. 43 types of jigs required.
19. Jigs calibrated to 8 micron using a laser measurement system. That is quite fast. Full interchangeability achieved.
20. Present cycle time: 6 months per set. He outlined the plans to increase and reach the target of 16 sets.
21. 7200 holes to be drilled per set of wing!!! They bought a robotic drilling machine that brought down the cycle time from 30 days/20ppl to 10 days/2ppl. Accuracy also improved. Better cleanliness since composite debris is vacuumed off by the robot
22. 185 panels are made interchangeability compliant. Include 24 nos of daily inspection panels. Extensive tooling made for panels.
23. All Pipe assemblies are made using jigs for full interchangeability and advanced sub assy preparation.

Senior manager of HAL in a one-on-one meeting says "LCA can crash only if it runs out of fuel". We all touched the wooden table and made a silent prayer.

The TED BF picture is just that, "a picture that people didn't reject right away" during the brainstorming.

Update from..brf

One dumb question, please bear with me - What is full form of LRU ?

 

[fire starter]

One dumb question, please bear with me - What is full form of LRU ?

line replaceable unit....................

 

[rone]

One dumb question, please bear with me - What is full form of LRU ?

Line replaceable units...

30 char rule sucks

 

[samsaptaka]

Line replaceable units...

30 char rule sucks

Ok, which specific part of the fuselage are they ? Or can they be pertaining to any part ?

 

[Shashwat]

2020 - data from Ada, a significant jump from 4641 from December.

LSP2 with Uttam seems to be subdued, NP's had a singnificant increase in flight numbers

Source - Ada

 

[rone]

Ok, which specific part of the fuselage are they ? Or can they be pertaining to any part ?

Basically part of avionics or other electronic parts like mission computer, memory storage units, flight data telemetry or data links etc,

 

[Prashant12]

Air Force’s LCA to get Astra firepower, not Rafale’s meteor


NEW DELHI: The Air Force is keen to make the indigenous Astra missile its standard long-range weapon for fighter aircraft and is promoting its integration on board the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) as well as other platforms, top officials have told ET.

The LCA will not bear Meteor — beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) — that is standard on the Rafale fighter jets, with the French side expressing its reluctance to integrate the weapon with an aircraft equipped with an Israeli-origin radar and the Air Force determined to bring down the heavy imports bill by selecting a home-grown option.

“We are not even looking at the French option. We want to promote the indigenous system and have it equipped across all our platforms. The Astra development programme has been satisfactory,” a top official said.

Sources said after the missile is inducted into the Su30MKI fighter jets from which it has been tested, the system would be integrated on other foreign-origin combat aircraft. The performance of the Astra, sources said, is regarded to be better than similar Russian systems currently in service.

User trials for Astra have been completed and the next stage, DRDO officials say, is for the first production order for the missile system. On board the LCA, integration tests are being carried out and the missile is likely to be part of the weapons package for 83 of the Mk1A version that is set to be ordered shortly.

Currently, the missile has a range of over 100 km and has been successfully test-fired against Banshee target aircraft simulating all possible threat scenarios. In the most recent user trials last September, the missile was launched with a warhead against manoeuvring targets that were neutralised, including a direct hit of the target at maximum range.

As reported by ET, DRDO is looking to nearly doubling the range of the missile to make it the most lethal weapon in India’s air-to-air arsenal. “Astra initially had some technological challenges, which have been overcome successfully. With our persistent effort and with active IAF support, all the user evaluation has been completed and Astra is now ready for induction,” DRDO chief G Sateesh Reddy had told ET.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has played a significant role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration and over 50 public and private industries are involved in building the Astra weapon system.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...r-not-rafales-meteor/articleshow/73466978.cms