@p2prada , From what i read Tejas Mk2 will be comparable to Gripen-NG in Aerodynamic property ,Flying Quality and Weapon System/Sensor etc......why do you says Tejas-Mk2 will not be as good as Gripen-NG , Any reason and data points ? Thanks
If we look at the IAF Chief's remarks during IOC-1, he said LCA Mk2 will fall short of Gripen NG.
In terms of raw data, LCA Mk1 was supposed to do a 17 deg STR and around 28-29deg ITR. F-16 does 20 deg STR, Mirage-2000 does 19 deg STR, Rafale, Gripen and EF are in the 21-22.5 deg STR range, MKI is in the 20-21 deg STR.
Compared to LCA's "goal spec" of 17, Mirage-III E does 15 deg, Mig-21 bison is also in that range. I don't know exact spec of that. Earliest variants of Mirage III and Mig-21 do something like 8 - 12 deg STR.
LCA Mk2 ASR was drawn up in order to achieve majority of Mk1s figures, which could not be achieved on the current airframe, mainly due to an underpowered engine.
NG is a different beast altogether. Apart from C already exceeding F-16 figures for STR, the NG may have higher performance specs with the newer F-414 engine. Even they are looking at a higher thrust rating for F-414, above the 98KN that's on the F-414G. I would say they are looking at the very same engine as the LCA's engine. The one that is not EDE, but also not EPE, but between the two. GE was trying to push the EPE on the Swedes though.
Along with that there is a large difference in payload capability, 7 tons vs 5 tons. The proposed NG weapons loadouts themselves show how good the final version of NG will really be. NG is supposed to have 10 hardpoints. Also, they have achieved 40-50% increased fuel loads over the C/D on just the Demo. That's a lot of fuel, something LCA Mk2 won't be able to match.
If they are planning on Gripen NG to carry 7 tons of payload, on a 7 ton airframe while carrying 3.3 - 3.5 tonnes of fuel, the airframe design itself is better than most other designs available. Meaning with just these three parameters, it has considerably exceeded the F-16 Block 52, which is an 8.5 tonne airframe carrying 3.1 tonnes of fuel and 7 tonnes of payload. On top of that it can fly better than the F-16 B52 while sucking up lesser amount of fuel.
Overall, the Swedes may have moved on from the IAF MRCA version to keep the aircraft more relevant. So that adds more to the NGs specs.