LCA TEJAS MK1 & MK1A: News and Discussion

[WolfPack86]

Tejas armed with derby bvr missile and astra missile will be deadly.

 

[proud_indian]

Tejas MK1-A cockpit .....................

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Tejas armed with derby bvr missile and astra missile will be deadly.

It will be even more deadly with I derby and Astra Mk 2 (SFDR) missile. Israel has claimed that I derby will deliver 80% of Meteor's performance.


As MWF is going to have similar wings, Tejas Mk1 wings are certainly bigger. In an exercise to reduce weight, drag and improve maneuverability, wings should be redesigned so as landing gear which is over engineered. Weight reduction of 200 to 300 kg will improve the performance of fighter by a great deal.

 

[Abhijeet Dey]

Tejas armed with derby bvr missile and astra missile will be deadly.

How about this:

USAF developing next generation air dominance missile
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...-next-generation-air-dominance-missil-437728/

 

[Anathema]

Tejas MK1-A cockpit .....................

Absolutely made my day !!! Looks like we are way advanced in sensor fusion than what i thought ! Fantastic stuff. Also goes to show how difficult it is for UTTAM to get certified for so many modes

 

[kr9]

A revision of the LCA program:---

Going by the recent events and requirements, the LCA and the modernization program of the IAF looks mismanaged. And the IAF itself has caused it by not prioritizing its needs for the kind of 'pseudo war' it would have to fight in the subcontinent.

To expand on the thought:--
The primary and eternal duty of any air force is to secure the airspace; attack against ground targets are secondary since it is the former which creates the safe environment to carry out the latter (over own or enemy airspace). The main priority of the IAF, thus, should always have been to replace the aging MiG 21s for air defence alone.

But they made the mistake of seeking a replacement for the MiG 27 as well in the initial models of the LCA. Since LCA is a light, short range fighter, the only scenario for AtoG capability is in CAS over the frontline. Strategic strikes inside enemy airspace are better left to MMRCAs, which would have substantial numbers in the IAF inventory irregardless of the LCA. Thus, short of a full blown war, lack of CAS capability is not as lethal as lack of air security even in peace time.


From this perspective, the initial fighters or MK1s, should have been made as a pure air defence fighter and dispensed with its multi-role capabilities.. This would have saved some time in development and certification; time which should have then been used to integrate the fighter's cannon. A potent and fully integrated AtoA LCA defending our own airspace could then free up MMRCAs and the MKIs for offensive missions. And make no mistake, with ground control, AWACs and bases all over, defending own skies is not a difficult mission for this "supposedly" short range fighter.

This Mk1 could have had:
Astra & Derby BVRAAM
R 73 WVRAAM
ELTA 2052 AESA (without AtoG weapon integration to save time)
20mm Cannon

IOC & FOC could have been achieved faster. And if some 72 nos were ordered, it could have seen the production line through 5 years without the current need for additional MKIs or MiG 29 UPGs*; by which time UTTAM and UEWS would have matured. This could then be used on the Mk1A version which would be multirole capable and go on to take up the CAS role as well.

Thus by 2023, we could have achieved an adequate number of reliable 4th generation fighters for air defence and then start production on the Mk1A. This seems to the case anyway; even with the current plan.

*Even though the big fighters are more potent, they are wasted on a MiG 21's role. Also robust orders could nurture private companies to invest in the program and its production.

**I know this is in hindsight, but there might still be some hope of refocusing the LCA program and its objectives.

 

[G10]

Its foolish to give orders in number when systems are not certified. That cannon was shortlisted right from design stage. Still its no where in sight. ADA/HAL is having issues and they are covering up. Its not so simple.

 

[vampyrbladez]

Its foolish to give orders in number when systems are not certified. That cannon was shortlisted right from design stage. Still its no where in sight. ADA/HAL is having issues and they are covering up. Its not so simple.

Cannon on F 35 too is undergoing continuous certification. Thus some consideration can be given to ADA here.

 

[patriots]

There is no problem with the canon...not in the gun too.......
Gun firing has some vibration issue...which will be sorted out soon.............
Again ioc version s can be upgraded to mk1a.......so dont worry....,...those ioc version s are basically for training......

 

[patriots]

A interesting discussion in brf....

Shows..ground work on astra integration is going on........

 

[lcafanboy]

A interesting discussion in brf....

Shows..ground work on astra integration is going on........

Also ge414 engine will be integrated with tejas Mk1A....

 

[patriots]

Also ge414 engine will be integrated with tejas Mk1A....

Ahh. .. Is it......don't know..........
But i know...mk1 will be fitted with jammers if needed

 

[lcafanboy]

Ahh. .. Is it......don't know..........
But i know...mk1 will be fitted with jammers if needed

There is talk of even sensor fusion....

 

[patriots]

There is talk of even sensor fusion....

I knew that.....but ...are they discussing abt f414 for mk1a....

 

[darshan978]

I knew that.....but ...are they discussing abt f414 for mk1a....

Then whats the point of mk2:biggrin2:..............

 

[Enquirer]

I knew that.....but ...are they discussing abt f414 for mk1a....

No..........................................................

 

[lcafanboy]

Then whats the point of mk2:biggrin2:..............

Mk2 will be bigger with more hard points, more powerful engine approx 110-118kn, more payload, More fuel and range, stealth optimized for VLO, so it's a completely different beast...

Mk1a with ge414 will rectify many of the deficiency of LCA Mk1 making it much better fighter than the base mk1.

 

[Steven Rogers]

Mk2 will be bigger with more hard points, more powerful engine approx 110-118kn, more payload, More fuel and range, stealth optimized for VLO, so it's a completely different beast...

Mk1a with ge414 will rectify many of the deficiency of LCA Mk1 making it much better fighter than the base mk1.

"VLO" that's more than jingoism.

 

[Bleh]

Then whats the point of mk2:biggrin2:..............

Also ge414 engine will be integrated with tejas Mk1A....

Yes. I'm not accusing you of pulling this out of your behind... but how sure are you about this?

 

[lcafanboy]

Yes. I'm not accusing you of pulling this out of your behind... but how sure are you about this?

Almost a done thing. That's why mk1a cost is steeply high compared to Mk1. Ge404 cost 5million dollars and ge414 cost 10million dollars plus AESA radar ew suite that has raised the cost of Tejas Mk1A significantly...

Ge414 is 50-70 kg heavier than 404, air intakes were made for kaveri engine which has higher air inflow than 404 so suitable for 414 too similarly kaveri engine was deemed heavier than 404 so weight too is of no concern. Dimensions too are almost same. And we haven't placed any order for new 404 engines, production for which has been stopped. So quite possible Mk1A to have ge414 engine which is being discussed now. GE had promised to help in integration of 414 in LCA. So it could be the case..