Those C-130J's should have been KC-130J's. A big opportunity lost.Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/KSingh84856557/stat ... 01793?s=20 ---> Oh and don’t forget the 11 C-130J-30 the IAF have with AAR probes. It doesn’t seem like the IAF has any plans to have more than 6-12 tankers for the foreseeable future but they’ll be adding 100s more fighters in the not too distant future, all in flight refuelling capable.
BTW, this is for the Mk2, even though the model they have used in the pic looks like an Mk1. Very impressive nonetheless. With it's AESA radar, small size and relatively low RCS, Astra Mk1, Mk2 and Derby-ER plus this comprehensive protection suite the Mk2 will be a beast in air-to-air. Better than anything the IAF has save the Rafale. Add the DASH-ASRAAM/R-73 combo and its is excellent in WVR too.Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/DefenceDecode/statu ... 44355?s=20 ----> DARE's MAYAVI EW Suite developed especially for Tejas. Few components from this suite like Tarang 2 RWR is used in the Su-30MKI too. EW suite includes an RWR, MAW and an LWR system, Infrared & Ultraviolet missile warning sensors, SPJ, chaff and flares dispenser, an ECM suite N a TRD.
Well I used to think the same, however it is not black & white.Rakesh wrote:Gurus, true?
https://twitter.com/sakthivel_cit93/sta ... 52257?s=20 ---> Radome diameter determines the diameter of radar. Tejas Mk1 has a higher radome (nose cone base diameter) than Rafale. That means in every upgrade it can get a larger size AESA radar (eyes of the fighter, crucial for BVR missile fight) than Rafale.
Upgrade the engines on the HS748 and turn them into mini tankers.brar_w wrote:Those C-130J's should have been KC-130J's. A big opportunity lost.Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/KSingh84856557/stat ... 01793?s=20 ---> Oh and don’t forget the 11 C-130J-30 the IAF have with AAR probes. It doesn’t seem like the IAF has any plans to have more than 6-12 tankers for the foreseeable future but they’ll be adding 100s more fighters in the not too distant future, all in flight refuelling capable.
https://twitter.com/zone5aviation/statu ... 05632?s=20
Are they numbered out of sequence? Logically this batch of fighters should have started at LA-5017, right? Unless the trainers are supposed to fill in the gaps, but usually two-seaters get a different alphabet identifier (KH-KT, Cx-U, JS-JT etc).
https://twitter.com/shubawas2/status/12 ... 75648?s=20
It is infact now LA 5017
Suggestion implemented
Not too long ago iaf had a much larger fleet and almost zero tankers. Most of the fleet had shorter legs to boot. Now almost half the fleet is made up of ultra long ranged MKI. these can also do buddy refueling.Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/KSingh84856557/stat ... 68480?s=20 ---> When looking at this pic, a thought struck me - IAF is going through HUGE transformation in terms of fighter compatible with in flight refuelling:
* 123 LCA
* 70 MiG-29UPG
* 60 M2K-5 MK.2
* 60+Jags
* 272 MKI
And for all that just 6 tankers? Surely the lowest fighter/tanker ratio in the world.
https://twitter.com/KSingh84856557/stat ... 97792?s=20 ---> That’s almost 600 fighters for 6 tankers (100:1). Even the IAF’s much longed for new generation tanker contest (won twice by Airbus) will only bring this down to 50:1 (if IL-78s remain), is that even enough to keep squadron pilots current on in flight refuelling?
They did. They were trying to buy 6 more tankers remember? That deal went nowhere.Cain Marko wrote: They must have thought of this....
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) conducted the first flight of the Light Combat Aircraft (also known as Tejas) Mk1 in its Final Operational Configuration (FOC) on March 17. The aircraft was flown by HAL’s chief of fixed-wing test flying, Air Commodore (Retd) K.A. Muthanna. The aircraft lifted from HAL Airport at Bengaluru just after noon and was airborne for around 40 minutes. Low-speed taxi trials had begun on March 10.
FOC represents the final iteration of the baseline LCA Mk1, most noticeably adding a fixed refueling probe on the starboard side of the forward fuselage, which raises endurance to more than eight hours. From a combat viewpoint the main changes are that the FOC aircraft has a gun in the form of the Russian-designed GSh-23 twin-barrel 23mm cannon, and Rafael Derby beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.
HAL received the go-ahead for series production of the FOC variant in February 2019, and will now produce a further 15 aircraft to equip a second LCA Mk1 squadron within the Indian Air Force. Currently, No. 45 “Flying Daggers” Squadron operates 16 earlier LCA Mk1s in the Initial Operational Configuration (IOC) from Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu. Its aircraft are due to be upgraded to FOC standard at some point. No. 18 “Flying Bullets” Squadron is expected to be the second LCA unit, also to be based at Sulur.
Series production of LCA Mk1s is to cover 40 aircraft for the IAF, comprising 16 each of the IOC and FOC standards, and eight two-seaters for training. They follow two technology demonstrators (TD), five prototypes (PV), two prototypes of a naval version (NP), and eight limited series production (LSP) aircraft that have been engaged in trials.
HAL and the Tejas team are now awaiting the contract to begin work on building 10 more trainers and 83 LCA Mk1A aircraft, an interim variant to be procured pending full development of the LCA Mk2. The Mk1A has an e-scan radar, external jammer pods, and numerous avionics and aerodynamic improvements. The definitive Mk2—also known as the Medium Weight Fighter—features a more powerful General Electric F414 engine and internal electronic protection suite, among many other advances.
Yeah but there hardly seems much urgency about it. The mrca and rafale purchases seemed higher priority.nachiket wrote:They did. They were trying to buy 6 more tankers remember? That deal went nowhere.Cain Marko wrote: They must have thought of this....
By Mike Rajkumar|19 March 2020
New Delhi will acquire 83 Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) Tejas Mk-1A light fighters for the air force at an estimated cost of $5.3 billion, pending cabinet approval.
The acquisition process is moving forward following the finalisation of contractual and other issues by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), according to a government statement.
The deal still needs Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval before a formal contract can be signed off. This could take another year.
Deliveries are to begin three years after contract signature, HAL is preparing for a peak production rate of 16 aircraft per year.
The 83-aircraft buy will be broken into two components, with HAL delivering the aircraft in operational configuration. The air force will develop both the base and maintenance infrastructure.
The procurement cost of $5.3 billion covers 73 single-seat Tejas Mk1As and 10 twin-seat trainers in addition to sensors, weapons and associated equipment and spares support from HAL for a period of two years, a company official tells FlightGlobal.
The Tejas Mk-1A will feature an Elta 2052 AESA radar and MBDA’s ASRAAM, a Unified Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite, On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS), Upgraded Avionics and Cobham in-flight refuelling (IFR) probe. The cockpit displays will also be upgraded and new indigenous weapons integrated.
HAL had earlier received orders for 40 Tejas aircraft. In 2006 the air force ordered 20 Tejas aircraft in Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration, and in 2010 ordered 20 aircraft in Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration.
Of these, 14 single-seat Tejas Mk-1s in Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration have been delivered and are operational with No. 45 Sqn ‘Flying Daggers’ based out of Sulur air force base in South India.
The first Tejas in Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration made its maiden flight earlier this week. Three more aircraft are to be delivered in the next few months and HAL plans to complete the order in 2021, the official says. These aircraft will be operated by No 18 Sqn ‘Flying Bullets’.
HAL has built a total of 37 Tejas aircraft so far. These comprise two Technology Demonstrators (TD-1, TD-2), six prototypes (PV1 - PV6), eight Limited Series Production aircraft (LSP1 - LSP-8), two Naval Prototypes (NP1, NP2), 16 Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) Tejas MK-1s and 4 Final Operational Clearance (FOC) Tejas MK-1s.
MRCA procurement was started 20 years ago...Cain Marko wrote:Yeah but there hardly seems much urgency about it. The mrca and rafale purchases seemed higher priority.nachiket wrote: They did. They were trying to buy 6 more tankers remember? That deal went nowhere.
Point is.... In context of that tweet, how will 6 tankers make that much difference?nachiket wrote:MRCA procurement was started 20 years ago...Cain Marko wrote: Yeah but there hardly seems much urgency about it. The mrca and rafale purchases seemed higher priority.
It could take one more year for formal contract...??? I thought only CCS approval is the last stage...Kartik wrote:
Deal for 83 Tejas fighters passes bureaucratic hurdle
The acquisition process is moving forward following the finalisation of contractual and other issues by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), according to a government statement.
The deal still needs Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval before a formal contract can be signed off. This could take another year.
Replied here: viewtopic.php?p=2421955#p2421955Cain Marko wrote:Point is.... In context of that tweet, how will 6 tankers make that much difference?nachiket wrote: MRCA procurement was started 20 years ago...
MoD will move at its own pace regardless of other considerations like falling squadron strength and a Mig-21 fleet on its last legs etc. Expecting more from them is setting yourself up for disappointment.LakshmanPST wrote:It could take one more year for formal contract...??? I thought only CCS approval is the last stage...
Kartik wrote:With the first Mk1A supposed to be rolled off the assembly line in 2022-23, there is no point in ordering any more Mk1s. There is no assembly line that is idle as of now. All the focus must be on delivering the Mk1A in the defined schedule and finishing all 73 single seat Mk1A deliveries BEFORE 2029.
As you can see below, there is no gap in the schedule to accommodate more Mk1 orders. All it will do it slide the Mk1A deliveries to the right
2019-2020 -- 2 FOC single seaters (SP-21 and SP-22)
2020-2021 -- 14 FOC Single seaters (SP-23 onwards to SP-36)
2021-2022 -- 8 FOC trainers + 8 FOC trainers from the Mk1A batch
2023-2024 -- 14 Mk1A + 2 FOC trainers
2024-2025 -- 16 Mk1A
2025-2026 -- 16 Mk1A
2026-2027 -- 16 Mk1A
2027-2028 -- 11 Mk1A + 5 MWF (hopefully)
The only way the schedule can be contracted further is by increasing production to 20 Tejas Mk1As per year.
A lot of what you have written above is mistaken.nam wrote:Well I used to think the same, however it is not black & white.Rakesh wrote:Gurus, true?
https://twitter.com/sakthivel_cit93/sta ... 52257?s=20 ---> Radome diameter determines the diameter of radar. Tejas Mk1 has a higher radome (nose cone base diameter) than Rafale. That means in every upgrade it can get a larger size AESA radar (eyes of the fighter, crucial for BVR missile fight) than Rafale.
How good a radar is determined by the power on-board. If you don't have enough power, you won't find a "large" AESA been used. No point having a 1200 TRM radar, with 2-3KW onboard power. That is why Uttam has only 750 TRM, despite LCA's large radome.
Another point is the TRM spacing. Smaller the spacing, higher the operating frequency, better the resolution. So you want to make the antenna ..smaller
Not to mention, future GaN Antenna, which will have even less TRM, hence smaller...!
He is the tallest pilot in the line up.
I have seen both Uttam and RBE2 up close. Yes, the RBE2 is smaller in diameter, and the TR modules are smaller and closely spaced. It is a beauty engg wise. Drool worthy onlee. Someone who flew it told me that it performs like a dream too. It sets a tall benchmark for Uttam to beat some day.Rakesh wrote:Gurus, true?
https://twitter.com/sakthivel_cit93/sta ... 52257?s=20 ---> Radome diameter determines the diameter of radar. Tejas Mk1 has a higher radome (nose cone base diameter) than Rafale. That means in every upgrade it can get a larger size AESA radar (eyes of the fighter, crucial for BVR missile fight) than Rafale.
Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/writetake/status/12 ... 56512?s=20 ---> A great shot of Tejas captured by @tarmaktalking Video Editor, Murali during a recent shoot.
^^^ Pending cabinet approval before signing.Gyan wrote:No CCS Approval, No Agreement with HAL, no release of Funds & no clearance of Bulk production yet for 83 MKIA. Anyone hopeful about 31st March?
Thank you for the explanation Dileep. How is this obsolescence issue not present in SP-17 (formerly SP-21) and all other FOC fighters? Has it been already catered for by upgrading to new LRUs?Dileep wrote:They had some component obsolescence issue, resulting in unavailability of a few LRUs. I get a suspicion that it could the reason why the 15 and 16 are still at 'mayka'.
Orders are always placed piecemeal to the suppliers, and stuff designed in early 2000s go obsolete or unavailable with very long lead time. Every time I get a chance to have chai, it invariably is accompanied by whines about this. A lot of scavenging, cannibalization and sometimes pure jugaad happens to counter.
Most of what you think is sheet metal is actually composites. The Tejas has one of the highest percentages of composites on the skin and also in the structure. But clearly, the build quality of the Series Production jets is excellent.Mort Walker wrote:Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/writetake/status/12 ... 56512?s=20 ---> A great shot of Tejas captured by @tarmaktalking Video Editor, Murali during a recent shoot.
All of the pics of the Tejas coming out show the sheet metal work comparable to western aircraft and not the sloppy sheet metal work seen on Russian aircraft. Good fitting to prevent water from getting in and causing corrosion. In the 1990s when the USAF got Su-27s and Mig-29s to evaluate and sent to various USAF centers, the soviet/Russian sheet metal work was abysmal.
Considering this being first flight of FOC, and that it would (most likely) be with no telemetry, isn't it a bit puzzling that there seems to be no chase plane?ravikr wrote:#JustIn
VIDEO #Tejas #SP21 on its maiden flight. @akananth#Tarmak007 #LCA #FlyingBullets
https://twitter.com/writetake/status/12 ... 4758220800
Wait wait ....Kartik wrote: Thank you for the explanation Dileep. How is this obsolescence issue not present in SP-17 (formerly SP-21) and all other FOC fighters? Has it been already catered for by upgrading to new LRUs?
