LCA TEJAS MK1 & MK1A: News and Discussion

[SKC]

Bit of background on this...

I found out that Tejas had been tested to carry maximum 4 dumb-bombs, in the following loadouts.
View attachment 81504View attachment 81505
Now the latter made no sense to me, as the former obviously would vastly outrange it... even with a central tank.

As it happened, I knew a photo of Tejas tandem-bomb test (can't find it anymore, Google showing my vandalisms only) that matches this one perfectly. View attachment 81509

So I went to town. Edited on two of the tandem-pylon, move around the bombs to match the light/shades & now half the Internet thinks it a real photo

The level HDR in the pics is too damn high!!

 

[Dharmic_Crusader]

don't mind me... just fuckin with y'all a bit... couldn't resist...

 

[Bleh]

Tejas tandem-pylon with maximum bomb load (2.7t)...

Let's see if anyone can find the original sources for this full-potential A2A Tejas loadout... Estimated config range: 2000km

 

[FalconZero]

don't mind me... just fuckin with y'all a bit... couldn't resist...

more or less same reaction tbh

 

[Bleh]

Let's see if anyone can find the original sources for this full-potential A2A Tejas loadout... Estimated config range: 2000km
View attachment 81568

Spoiler: Sources

 

[Ghost hale]

From IAF account

 

[Ghost hale]

@Bleh Don't tell me this is also u...

 

[Bleh]

@DerBronzeLord weren't you at Aero India 2021?.. Didn't happen to get a snap of this poster, did you?

 

[lcafanboy]

From a humble 3 legged cheetah to a true Ninja of Indian skies. IAF will soon be deploying Tejas foc on all forward bases. A small fighter with lowest RCS and longest bvraam is a deadly combo for any adversary...

 

[Deadtrap]

Let's see if anyone can find the original sources for this full-potential A2A Tejas loadout... Estimated config range: 2000km
View attachment 81568

How do you differentiate I-Derby and I-Derby ER? Can’t find any image on the internet which shows clear difference in terms of size etc

 

[Spitfire9]

From a humble 3 legged cheetah to a true Ninja of Indian skies. IAF will soon be deploying Tejas foc on all forward bases. A small fighter with lowest RCS and longest bvraam is a deadly combo for any adversary...

Entire planned production of FOC is 16 single seat + 4 two seat. How does a total of 20 aicraft (eventually) get deployed on all forward bases? And soon? What does 'soon' mean where Tejas is concerned?

As for lethality with Astra, I think you have a good point. Low RCS is an advantage, isn't it?

By the way, how many Astra can Tejas Mk1 carry?

 

[Bleh]

Entire planned production of FOC is 16 single seat + 4 two seat. How does a total of 20 aicraft (eventually) get deployed on all forward bases? And soon? What does 'soon' mean where Tejas is concerned?

As for lethality with Astra, I think you have a good point. Low RCS is an advantage, isn't it?

By the way, how many Astra can Tejas Mk1 carry?

We heard chatter that IOC Tejas were spread over several forward bases to test operability during this last "situation". FOC may see some CAP/CAS action in A2A roles or contested airspace (for to lack of EW system).

FOC presently can carry 2 BVRs on midboard pylons only... as above. As the integration of Astra continues, the inboard pylons will be rated for BVRs too. As of now only the naval Tejas prototype is able to do that.

 

[Spitfire9]

We heard chatter that IOC Tejas were spread over several forward bases to test operability during this last "situation". FOC may see some CAP/CAS action in A2A roles or contested airspace (for to lack of EW system).

FOC presently can carry 2 BVRs on midboard pylons only... as above. As the integration of Astra continues, the inboard pylons will be rated for BVRs too. As of now only the naval Tejas prototype is able to do that.

View attachment 81716

It is going to provide a lot of A2A bangs per buck with 4 Astra.

I see the possibilty of Mk1A export sales. At, say, <$50 million per frame coupled with low cost, high performance Indian BVR weaponry (I think Astra is roughly half the price of Meteor) Mk1A deserves being evaluated by countries with tight defence budgets.

To me a couple of small Mk1A export sales would be great to establish that HAL can provide a good after sales spares and support service. If that is forthcoming, I think that the prospects of selling MWF to other countries in the future will be much improved.

 

[ladder]

We heard chatter that IOC Tejas were spread over several forward bases to test operability during this last "situation". FOC may see some CAP/CAS action in A2A roles or contested airspace (for to lack of EW system).

FOC presently can carry 2 BVRs on midboard pylons only... as above. As the integration of Astra continues, the inboard pylons will be rated for BVRs too. As of now only the naval Tejas prototype is able to do that.

View attachment 81716

Yes, that's because Naval prototype was the first to be equipped with 725 lit. center line external fuel tank/ drop tank.

IOC Tejas didn't have wet plumbing for center line hard point. It had wet plumbing only on two inner hard points.
I think all FOC Tejas have wet plumbing on center line as well as inner hard points.

 

[Ghost hale]

IDU on Tejas FOC - 2 in...5 next week.... Can't be sure of credibility but in line with what was confirmed previously

 

[Spitfire9]

IOC Tejas didn't have wet plumbing for center line hard point. It had wet plumbing only on two inner hard points.
I think all FOC Tejas have wet plumbing on center line as well as inner hard points.

Would that mean a lot of work doing a conversion of IOC frames to FOC config?

 

[Spitfire9]

IDU on Tejas FOC - 2 in...5 next week.... Can't be sure of credibility but in line with what was confirmed previously

Sorry, not sure I follow you. Do you mean 5 more FOC deliveries next week?

 

[Ghost hale]

Sorry, not sure I follow you. Do you mean 5 more FOC deliveries next week?

yes.

Would that mean a lot of work doing a conversion of IOC frames to FOC config?

Not a lot as BRD is tasked to do that.

 

[ladder]

Would that mean a lot of work doing a conversion of IOC frames to FOC config?

Low internal volume of the small airframe of Tejas will always be a hindrance to any upgradation effort. But I am not technically competent enough to tell the level of difficulty involved.

That HAL and IAF have said that IOC Tejas can be upgraded to near FOC level, says the conversion is possible and planned.

 

[rohit b3]

So...are we getting anymore Tejas mk1 by March end..or..?