LCA TEJAS MK1 & MK1A: News and Discussion

[MirageBlue]

Does anyone wonder how come LCA has such high percentage composite material?
Considering F-35 which started development way behind LCA, you have to ask: are Indian scientists are super good on structure design, or India's composite material technologies are decades ahead of US?

It was always designed that way. The goal was self-reliance in key technologies.

Composites, Avionics, FBW system, engine and radar were the key pillars which were to be developed as part of the LCA program. We fell flat on the radar front (leading to Elta 2032 import, even though the MMR is a hybrid) and Kaveri (even though it somewhat met dry thrust requirements, it was overweight and AB thrust was insufficient).

But in composites, FBW and avionics our scientists did a splendid job. Radar is now also up to state of the art spec. Which only leaves engine behind.

Indian scientists picked up composites material technology from companies like Alenia in Italy (which shipped the first wing sets for the LCA) but then did a whole lot of R&D and a LOT of work internally to perfect it indigenously. Now our fighters will always be class leading in terms of composite content.

 

[BON PLAN]

Kyan din a gye bc all because of the delay of mk2.
If it would have gotten funding in 2009 it would have been ready today but it took them 4-5 years to release funds..

Not only the delay of Tejas.
Mirage 2000 is an Indian nuclear asset (maybe not the case of Rafale yet) : It's an easy, speedy and cheap way to increase nuc bombers.
In the mean time China intend to increase from 300 to 1000+ the nuc stockpile.

 

[BON PLAN]

Tejas mk2 development was authorised in 2009..

Yes, because of engine. the funding was delayed.
I heard ej200 was best choice for mwf but they choose f414 usa just delayed our project.
India selected the engine in 2010 usa wasted 3-4 years on table. we should have went with ej200...
Babus wasted so much time...

EJ2000 is made by 4 country : 4 times a political risk.
On the same time USA is not the easier partner....
So sad the M88 of 9tons is not ready and industrialised...

 

[BON PLAN]

what would have been wrong if Tejas mk2 would have been approved?? It wasn't completely new developments they had to just enlarge it by 1.45m which won't take as much money & time as developing a new aircraft will take,, so much beurocratic hurdles,, although air inlet design was a issue it needs to be designed as per engine airflow okay !

Just think , to extend Tejas by 1.45 metres it took decades still we are long way to go then look how useless the leadership is here you can give me 100s if justification is it gonna solve the problem... Even if we see funding was approved in 2013 and engine was done deal by that time. It's been a decade is mwf ready??



.

To add 30 cm is one thing, with "low" effect on center of gravity.
Adding 1.5 meters or more is another bird

 

[spacemarine2023]

EJ2000 is made by 4 country : 4 times a political risk.
On the same time USA is not the easier partner....
So sad the M88 of 9tons is not ready and industrialised...

When the prototype of FCAS’s new gen Jet Engine will likely to be made?

 

[Narasimh]

Not only the delay of Tejas.
Mirage 2000 is an Indian nuclear asset (maybe not the case of Rafale yet) : It's an easy, speedy and cheap way to increase nuc bombers.
In the mean time China intend to increase from 300 to 1000+ the nuc stockpile.

Why though? Su30 can also carry(a squad already with strategic command).. it can carry at least a couple of thermonuclear glide bombs i presume. first islamabad then karachi with its range. then why Mirage?

 

[no smoking]

Indian scientists picked up composites material technology from companies like Alenia in Italy (which shipped the first wing sets for the LCA) but then did a whole lot of R&D and a LOT of work internally to perfect it indigenously. Now our fighters will always be class leading in terms of composite content.

Italy is not the one leading in composite material, Japan and US are.
Not sure how did India push her composite material ahead of US.

 

[Azaad]

We're truly shocked Zhongguo that one nation known ONLY for INNOVATION hasn't yet discovered usage of composite materials in aircraft fabrication. Is it because the US hasn't taken to composites the way India has? Hence no Xu Yanjun types to steal that technology for you ?

Italy is not the one leading in composite material, Japan and US are.
Not sure how did India push her composite material ahead of US.

 

[Satish Sharma]

Fa50 - 2202kg fuel.

Fa50 with enlarged spine adding 943kg additional fuel with total capacity of 3145kg. If this is possible then why can't we do that.

Tejas mk1A with 2589kg.. 556kg less than fa50..
Why can't we do that ? Now many will say aerodynamic,fluid dynamics etc etc...it is not a big deal at all.. neither it is impossible for hal
hal must try to increase the fuel capacity of Tejas... They should test wind tunnel models..
We are purchasing mirages instead..
Tejas is better in all parameters compared to mirages except fuel/range & nuclear capabilities that's it...
Mirage has 3280kg fuel internally if light category aircraft like fa50 can have fuel capacity of a medium weight aircraft like mirage 2000 with enlarged spine of CFts whatever why can't Tejas have it... Mirages only 691kg more than Tejas mk1A's
Even if we somehow managed Tejas to Carry fuel around 3.2 kg.. most of our problems will be solved even if mk2 is delayed Teja can perform serve its role very well.

 

[Satish Sharma]

.

 

[NutCracker]

View attachment 240128
Fa50 - 2202kg fuel.
View attachment 240129










Fa50 with enlarged spine adding 943kg additional fuel with total capacity of 3145kg. If this is possible then why can't we do that.
View attachment 240130
Tejas mk1A with 2589kg.. 556kg less than fa50..
Why can't we do that ? Now many will say aerodynamic,fluid dynamics etc etc...it is not a big deal at all.. neither it is impossible for hal
hal must try to increase the fuel capacity of Tejas... They should test wind tunnel models..
We are purchasing mirages instead..
Tejas is better in all parameters compared to mirages except fuel/range & nuclear capabilities that's it...
Mirage has 3280kg fuel internally if light category aircraft like fa50 can have fuel capacity of a medium weight aircraft like mirage 2000 with enlarged spine of CFts whatever why can't Tejas have it... Mirages only 691kg more than Tejas mk1A's
Even if we somehow managed Tejas to Carry fuel around 3.2 kg.. most of our problems will be solved even if mk2 is delayed Teja can perform serve its role very well.

False info , That tiny conformal tank's capacity is not 950KG,

Fyi F-16c's both massive CFT total at 1400kg.

 

[Satish Sharma]

False info , That tiny conformal tank's capacity is not 950KG,

Fyi F-16c's both massive CFT total at 1400kg.

Let me find I will share official Kai sources I have read there..

 

[NutCracker]

Let me find I will share official Kai sources I have read there..

They might've been confused between lbs and kg.
It's 400kg max.

 

[Satish Sharma]

They might've been confused between lbs and kg.
It's 400kg max.

Here it was officially reported by Kai that fa50 block 20 (latest Variant) is getting 300 gallon spinal CFT. As Wikipedia says it already has some 701 gallons fuel capacity which is ~2200kg.

ADEX 2021: KAI reveals more details about FA-50 upgrade plans

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed more details about the planned upgrade of its FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft, 60 examples of which are...

www.janes.com

Block 20 FA-50 For RMAF - TURDEF https://www.turdef.com/article/block-20-fa-50-for-rmaf

 

[NutCracker]

Here it was officially reported by Kai that fa50 block 20 (latest Variant) is getting 300 gallon CFT. As Wikipedia says it already has some 701 gallons fuel capacity which is ~2200kg.

ADEX 2021: KAI reveals more details about FA-50 upgrade plans

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed more details about the planned upgrade of its FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft, 60 examples of which are...

www.janes.com

Block 20 FA-50 For RMAF - TURDEF https://www.turdef.com/article/block-20-fa-50-for-rmaf

Nah thats not official , wait before jumping the gun. No way that tiny space behind pilot has 300gallons capacity.

Wait for real authentic specs. Like this.

 

[Satish Sharma]

False info , That tiny conformal tank's capacity is not 950KG,

Fyi F-16c's both massive CFT total at 1400kg.

Nah thats not official , wait before jumping the gun. No way that tiny space behind pilot has 300gallons capacity.

Wait for real authentic specs. Like this.
View attachment 240136

This is official news dude Kai some months ago reported there whole other bunch of new thing for fa50 block 20 upgrade..
And spine carries way more fuel it is not that small it look in photos like that..
Those side CFTs look big but they are actually smallers they are removal..each one is smaller to the spine..

For you're knowledge f16s spinal CFT it's not CFT it's more like enlarged spine.. anyways this f16 was able to carry 850litres fuel And many avionics like ELTA's jammers EW suits also 1 additional chaff and flares disappear on both side...
(Normal f16 has 2 on both side)
SPine accomodate more fuel it's volume is more than this those 2x CFTs of f16 which carry 700kg each compared to 1x705kg..
It is similar anyways. But spine is accomodating avionics very few f16 have internal jammers this one has that capabilities..
I read this on British forums some years ago..

also the vertical stabilizer carry some fuel already.
anyways you can just see the breath of both..

 

[Satish Sharma]

False info , That tiny conformal tank's capacity is not 950KG,

Fyi F-16c's both massive CFT total at 1400kg.

Nah thats not official , wait before jumping the gun. No way that tiny space behind pilot has 300gallons capacity.

Wait for real authentic specs. Like this.
View attachment 240136

This is official news dude Kai some months ago reported there whole other bunch of new thing for fa50 block 20 upgrade..
And spine carries way more fuel it is not that small it look in photos like that..
Those side CFTs look big but they are actually smallers they are removal..each one is smaller to the spine..

For you're knowledge f16s spinal CFT it's not CFT it's more like enlarged spine.. anyways this f16 was able to carry 850litres fuel And many avionics like ELTA's jammers EW suits also 1 additional chaff and flares disappear on both side...
(Normal f16 has 2 on both side)
SPine accomodate more fuel it's volume is more than this those 2x CFTs of f16 which carry 700kg each compared to 1x705kg..
It is similar anyways. But spine is accomodating avionics very few f16 have internal jammers this one has that capabilities..

View attachment 240143 View attachment 240144
also the vertical stabilizer carry some fuel already.
anyways you can just see the breath of both..

 

[NutCracker]

This is official news dude Kai some months ago reported there whole other bunch of new thing for fa50 block 20 upgrade..
And spine carries way more fuel it is not that small it look in photos like that..
Those side CFTs look big but they are actually smallers they are removal..each one is smaller to the spine..

For you're knowledge f16s spinal CFT it's not CFT it's more like enlarged spine.. anyways this f16 was able to carry 850litres fuel And many avionics like ELTA's jammers EW suits also 1 additional chaff and flares disappear on both side...
(Normal f16 has 2 on both side)
SPine accomodate more fuel it's volume is more than this those 2x CFTs of f16 which carry 700kg each compared to 1x705kg..
It is similar anyways. But spine is accomodating avionics very few f16 have internal jammers this one has that capabilities..
I read this on British forums some years ago..
View attachment 240143 View attachment 240144
also the vertical stabilizer carry some fuel already.
anyways you can just see the breath of both..

I will believe when I see proper brochure, or info on their website .

Fyi FA50's dorsal tank acts for dual purpose, it also contains boom refueling mechanism, which will furthermore reduce the capacity whatever that small frame already had.
So no , it's capacity can not be 300gallons.

 

[Satish Sharma]

I will believe when I see proper brochure, or info on their website .

Fyi FA50's dorsal tank acts for dual purpose, it also contains boom refueling mechanism, which will furthermore reduce the capacity whatever that small frame already had.
So no , it's capacity can not be 300gallons.

I shared you 2 sources one is from a buyer country both are claiming it has 300gallon CFT do you want me to share even more articles I was also shocked first but it's getting a 300 gallon Kai has revealed it along with other things of block20 upgrade officially to which this this websites have quoted..
Also fa50 is a wide aircraft it's wingspan is 9.5metre compared to 8.2 of Tejas and 8.5m of mk2
So it can accomodate 300 gallons

 

[NutCracker]

I shared you 2 sources one is from a buyer country both are claiming it has 300gallon CFT do you want me to share even more articles I was also shocked first but it's getting a 300 gallon Kai has revealed it along with other things of block20 upgrade officially to which this this websites have quoted..

Which buyer country ?

Why seller is not advertising if it's real ?