LCA News and Discussions

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 26 Jan 2013 22:36

Nice.. that should give enough O2 to carry out mission and return to base.(should be monitored by the health monitoring system as well).. you will see the power of requiring distributed computing now. /LCA being AMCA test bed

srai · Post by **srai** » 27 Jan 2013 04:03

Aditya_V wrote:There has not been much news on LCA's A To A tests apart from 1 or 2 r-73 firings for separation tests. So more news on AtoA will be welcome.

There have been more than 2 separation tests. AFAIK, Goa sea-level trials had a bunch of R-73 releases at various flight profiles. I don't know the exact number though.

Combo Meal! A huge post for all Tarmak007 readers! Twin Treat: BrahMos Block-III+ test-fired from Chandipur; Tejas fires R-73 again in Goa, chaff & flare firing too tested

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 27 Jan 2013 05:51

^from tarmak link

[img= http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sP7XwykNSM/T ... /tejas.jpg[/img]

ArmenT · Post by **ArmenT** » 27 Jan 2013 13:59

I think you guys might like my article on the Gast gun. While the original concept dates back to World War I, it has an interesting connection with the LCA's autocannon.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 27 Jan 2013 18:26

Kaveri flops, LCA-Tejas to fly on US engines

The dream of fitting Kaveri engine being developed indigenously into the home-grown Light Combat Aircraft LCA-Tejas appears to be as good as over.

"Kaveri engine as such will never come into LCA", P S Subramanyam, Director of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a DRDO lab, which is the nodal agency for the design and development of LCA with HAL as the principal partner, told PTI here.

Noting that LCA-Mark 1 and Mark 2 will have engines from GE, he, however, said the LCA would support Kaveri engine's flight tests and demonstrations and certification.

"As and when there is support required by the Kaveri engine, LCA will give support of its flying test facilities", Subramanyam said. He expected flying tests of Kaveri engine to lead to its fitting into unmanned air systems.

Subramanyam said Kaveri engine-fitted LCA would not go into the Services. "In the production aircraft (LCA) going into the Services, Kaveri engine will not be there". Kaveri engine, originally intended to power the LCA, was taken up for development by Bangalore-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) about two-and-half-decades ago but the project has been dogged by delays, with the DRDO lab not being fully able to overcome technical challenges and development snags............

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 28 Jan 2013 10:21

Flight test update

From

LCA-Tejas has completed 1985 Test Flights Successfully. (23-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-238,PV5-36,LSP3-94,LSP4-56,LSP5-118,LSP7-15,NP1-4)

to

LCA-Tejas has completed 1989 Test Flights Successfully. (24-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-238,PV5-36,LSP3-95,LSP4-56,LSP5-122,LSP7-18,NP1-4)

Numbers are off by 4

it should be 1993

nits · Post by **nits** » 28 Jan 2013 14:25

Astra BVR to be Integrated with Tejas aircraft by year end

Back from successful development trails of Astra Missile last month , Sources close to idrw.org have informed that Astra Bvraam will be integrated with Tejas aircraft by year end , but first test firing of the missile from an aircraft will likely take place in mid of this year from Sukhoi Su 30MKI .

The maximum range of Astra is 80 km in head-on chase and 20 km in tail chase. The missile could be launched from different altitudes – it can cover 80 km when launched from an altitude of 15 km, 44 km when fired from an altitude of eight km and 21 km when the altitude is sea-level . The missile can reportedly undertake 40 g turns close to sea level.

First test was carried out 10 years ago in 2003 but missile was more of a Technology Demonstrator then and many of the Technology was yet to be developed . missile has lost lot of weight and new missile sensor had to be developed . Initially missile range was around 40km in head-on chase but advancement in missile technology over the years and development of the missile enabled it to achieve 80 km in head-on chase , Missile will find its way into Sukhoi Su-30MKI first and later in Tejas MK-1/MK-2, first test firing from Tejas might take place next year after series of in flight testings are carried out of the missile on-board aircraft.

Astra will also will be integrated with Mirage-2000 and Mig-29 in near future after missile hits production line most likely in 2015 . DRDO is also planning of more advance variant of Astra MK-2 with 110-120 km range in near future .

Dileep · Post by **Dileep** » 28 Jan 2013 16:31

The commercial airliners fly at 40K altitude with no oxygen generators. They just have pressurized cabins. The fighters also have the same pressurized cabin. So, why a regular flight need any oxygen supply? Also, Why pilots breath pure oxygen? I couldn't find answers in a brief search.

Also, during the old space race days, the russians were breathing regular sea level air and americans were breathing pressurized oxygen. This caused some problem for the first apollo-soyuz docking. Then there was this fire accident of Apollo 1 because of pressurized oxygen.

So, does the russian planes serve air or oxygen? Just thinking!

Abhibhushan · Post by **Abhibhushan** » 28 Jan 2013 17:55

Dileep wrote:The commercial airliners fly at 40K altitude with no oxygen generators. They just have pressurized cabins. The fighters also have the same pressurized cabin. So, why a regular flight need any oxygen supply? Also, Why pilots breath pure oxygen? I couldn't find answers in a brief search.

The root of your puzzlement lies in the bolded part of the quote. The designer of a fighter cockpit has to cater to the possibility of an explosive decompression on being shot at. Therefore the fighter cockpits are not as highly pressurized as commercial plane cabins are. Additionally, the fighter crew need more oxygen than a passenger in a commercial airline; they are far more active physically and mentally. Thus, a fighter aircrew would need oxygen and a normal air passenger wouldnot.

Zynda · Post by **Zynda** » 28 Jan 2013 18:07

Dileep wrote:The commercial airliners fly at 40K altitude with no oxygen generators. They just have pressurized cabins. The fighters also have the same pressurized cabin. So, why a regular flight need any oxygen supply? Also, Why pilots breath pure oxygen? I couldn't find answers in a brief search.

Also, during the old space race days, the russians were breathing regular sea level air and americans were breathing pressurized oxygen. This caused some problem for the first apollo-soyuz docking. Then there was this fire accident of Apollo 1 because of pressurized oxygen.

So, does the russian planes serve air or oxygen? Just thinking!

Saar, just taking a stab with out any thing to back me up. You don't do 9G maneuvers in a commercial airliner. The risk of blackout is more in a dogfight without enough oxygen and may be pressurized cabin can't keep up with demand?! Thus need for pure O2.

member_20317 · Post by **member_20317** » 28 Jan 2013 18:10

Abhibhushan wrote:
Dileep wrote:The commercial airliners fly at 40K altitude with no oxygen generators. They just have pressurized cabins. The fighters also have the same pressurized cabin. So, why a regular flight need any oxygen supply? Also, Why pilots breath pure oxygen? I couldn't find answers in a brief search.

The root of your puzzlement lies in the bolded part of the quote. The designer of a fighter cockpit has to cater to the possibility of an explosive decompression on being shot at. Therefore the fighter cockpits are not as highly pressurized as commercial plane cabins are. Additionally, the fighter crew need more oxygen than a passenger in a commercial airline; they are far more active physically and mentally. Thus, a fighter aircrew would need oxygen and a normal air passenger wouldnot.

What is the composition of air in these bottles. Is it different from what we here on bhoomi enjoy?

BTW thanks for other things.

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 28 Jan 2013 22:11

suryag wrote:Flight test update

From

LCA-Tejas has completed 1985 Test Flights Successfully. (23-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-238,PV5-36,LSP3-94,LSP4-56,LSP5-118,LSP7-15,NP1-4)

to

LCA-Tejas has completed 1989 Test Flights Successfully. (24-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-238,PV5-36,LSP3-95,LSP4-56,LSP5-122,LSP7-18,NP1-4)

Numbers are off by 4 it should be 1993

That is 3 and 4 flights in a day for LSP7 and LSP5 respectively.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 29 Jan 2013 01:08

Abhibhushan wrote:Therefore the fighter cockpits are not as highly pressurized as commercial plane cabins are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_pressurization
this wiki is good.

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 30 Jan 2013 11:10

Flight test update

From

LCA-Tejas has completed 1989 Test Flights Successfully. (24-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-238,PV5-36,LSP3-95,LSP4-56,LSP5-122,LSP7-18,NP1-4)

to

LCA-Tejas has completed 1995 Test Flights Successfully. (29-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-239,PV5-36,LSP3-95,LSP4-57,LSP5-122,LSP7-18,NP1-4)

They have corrected the numbers, LSP2 and 4 have started flying again after a long time

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 30 Jan 2013 16:16

dont get it, both have flown once, that is 2 flight test, but there should be 6 flight tests as per the record

1989 - 1995

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 30 Jan 2013 16:21

krishnan wrote:dont get it, both have flown once, that is 2 flight test, but there should be 6 flight tests as per the record

1989 - 1995

25-jan-13 flight data has a totaling error by 4.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 31 Jan 2013 00:17

suryag wrote:Flight test update

From

LCA-Tejas has completed 1989 Test Flights Successfully. (24-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-238,PV5-36,LSP3-95,LSP4-56,LSP5-122,LSP7-18,NP1-4)

to

LCA-Tejas has completed 1995 Test Flights Successfully. (29-Jan-2013).
(TD1-233,TD2-305,PV1-242,PV2-222,PV3-348,LSP1-74,LSP2-239,PV5-36,LSP3-95,LSP4-57,LSP5-122,LSP7-18,NP1-4)

They have corrected the numbers, LSP2 and 4 have started flying again after a long time

We are getting tantalizingly close to the 2000 #

srin · Post by **srin** » 31 Jan 2013 00:25

Abhibhushan wrote:
Dileep wrote:The commercial airliners fly at 40K altitude with no oxygen generators. They just have pressurized cabins. The fighters also have the same pressurized cabin. So, why a regular flight need any oxygen supply? Also, Why pilots breath pure oxygen? I couldn't find answers in a brief search.

The root of your puzzlement lies in the bolded part of the quote. The designer of a fighter cockpit has to cater to the possibility of an explosive decompression on being shot at. Therefore the fighter cockpits are not as highly pressurized as commercial plane cabins are. Additionally, the fighter crew need more oxygen than a passenger in a commercial airline; they are far more active physically and mentally. Thus, a fighter aircrew would need oxygen and a normal air passenger wouldnot.

Does the same hold true for a very high altitude aircraft like Mig-25 ? Or instead of the pressurizing the cabin, do the pilots wear pressurized suits ?

SagarAg · Post by **SagarAg** » 31 Jan 2013 00:44

Shrinivasan wrote:

They have corrected the numbers, LSP2 and 4 have started flying again after a long time We are getting tantalizingly close to the 2000 #

I am getting this feeling that 2000th flight will be by LSP-8

adarshp · Post by **adarshp** » 31 Jan 2013 02:01

Not to rain on the parade but IIRC only Engine ground run was reported on LSP-8 a few days ago. It still needs to progress through low speed and high speed taxi trials before first flight. It should be here in Feb, but may be not the 2000th flight. There were some reports of weight savings from new components and final tweaks to get to production configuration. Would be good to see what has been achieved.

vina · Post by **vina** » 31 Jan 2013 15:07

Hmm. Roar of turbojet engines.. sounds like the GE404, and continuous, consistent with aircraft maneuvering. Sounds like Tejas is up in the air and practising for AI show maybe ?

symontk · Post by **symontk** » 31 Jan 2013 15:47

first one landed few mts back and now the second one is up in the air

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 31 Jan 2013 19:48

SaiK wrote:^from tarmak link

[img= http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sP7XwykNSM/T ... /tejas.jpg[/img]

From this link, Tejas can carry on 2-R73 and 2 Derby's. SHould not there flexiblity and multiple racks to carry 4 R-73/Python V, 2 R-73/ Python V or 4 derby, 2 R-73/ Python V etc. or 4 R-73 and 4- Derby (jingo wishes derby replaced by Astra).

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 31 Jan 2013 20:15

boils down to have dual derby/astra pylons on the 2nd pylons out from fuselage.

and as yet we continue to ignore this worldwide trend to dual, triple(assm, brimstone)

looks how a ordinary harrier has been loaded to the gunwales with ordnance here
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0F6L0hjtm5s/T ... mstone.jpg
its packing 2 cannons, 2 aim9, 2 drop tanks and 12 brimstone

Sancho · Post by **Sancho** » 31 Jan 2013 20:55

Aditya_V wrote:
SaiK wrote:^from tarmak link

[img= http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sP7XwykNSM/T ... /tejas.jpg[/img]
From this link, Tejas can carry on 2-R73 and 2 Derby's. SHould not there flexiblity and multiple racks to carry 4 R-73/Python V, 2 R-73/ Python V or 4 derby, 2 R-73/ Python V etc. or 4 R-73 and 4- Derby (jingo wishes derby replaced by Astra).

Multi racks increases drag and RCS, while the idea should be to reduce both. In interception role a single centerline fuel tank is enough for LCA, which leaves 6 x wingstations for 2 x R73 and 4 x Derby / Astra. More than enough for a fighter of this class, the problem only comes in A2G roles, when more fuel tanks have to be added. The only hope is, that the new fuel tanks of MK2 are big enough to free some hardpoints.

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 31 Jan 2013 21:02

FromLCA 2013 calendar

SagarAg · Post by **SagarAg** » 31 Jan 2013 21:15

indranilroy wrote:FromLCA 2013 calendar

Thank you very much indranilroy ji for the link.

Specially for this photograph. Tejas with my all time favorite fighter jet MiG-21

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 01 Feb 2013 05:21

what an awesome shot is that where the Tejas reveals the colors under her belly. Which fort is that on the ground.. superb!

SidSom · Post by **SidSom** » 01 Feb 2013 11:26

Listening to Capt. Malonkar's speech saddened me a bit that the NP1 has completed only 4 flights since that speech. Any news on the Navy program.....

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 01 Feb 2013 12:30

is the pic with mountains in back from Thoise?

lakshmikanth · Post by **lakshmikanth** » 01 Feb 2013 12:46

The fort is Jaisalmer fort. One of the few living forts left in the world, you can even rent a hotel room there with a super awesome view.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 01 Feb 2013 12:58

Just looking at the size of the Tejas when compared to the MiG-21, its amazing just how much of a capability jump it offers for nearly the same size in every aspect except for top speed, which is not that relevant anyway.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 01 Feb 2013 14:52

That Tejas over Jaisalmer is superb.

Katare · Post by **Katare** » 01 Feb 2013 23:17

Sancho wrote:
Aditya_V wrote:^from tarmak link

[img= http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sP7XwykNSM/T ... /tejas.jpg[/img]

From this link, Tejas can carry on 2-R73 and 2 Derby's. SHould not there flexiblity and multiple racks to carry 4 R-73/Python V, 2 R-73/ Python V or 4 derby, 2 R-73/ Python V etc. or 4 R-73 and 4- Derby (jingo wishes derby replaced by Astra).
Multi racks increases drag and RCS, while the idea should be to reduce both. In interception role a single centerline fuel tank is enough for LCA, which leaves 6 x wingstations for 2 x R73 and 4 x Derby / Astra. More than enough for a fighter of this class, the problem only comes in A2G roles, when more fuel tanks have to be added. The only hope is, that the new fuel tanks of MK2 are big enough to free some hardpoints.

What about the external pods for EW, laser guidance pod etc. Either these needs to go internal or we need additional hard points (not additional loads) to make LCA truley multi/omni role bird. For Mk1 I think it is more than adequate but mk2 needs at least couple more hard points or twin missile launchers IMO.

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 02 Feb 2013 16:37

curiosity question : has the LCA been flight tested in rain and other bad weather environment (apart from hot / cold temp, like very cloudy conditions etc).

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 02 Feb 2013 16:44

Ghven that many LCA's have taken off from Bengaluru, my guess is this would have definitely happenned

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 02 Feb 2013 18:01

would bangalore, goa, sulur, leh fit your requirements? done.

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 02 Feb 2013 18:41

SaiK wrote:would bangalore, goa, sulur, leh fit your requirements? done.

yes , i am aware

, my query was for flight during heavy rain, not seen a video of such flight , so the question, not doubting any capability

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 03 Feb 2013 06:26

it did night flights which is lesser in visibility condition but really a bad weather condition. there are night flight videos on tube.

i am not sure I have seen one video on bad weather flight.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 03 Feb 2013 06:38

the biggest enemy is water reducing the thrusts.

civil aviation engine test have been done: available on the tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXfQnQWeTzk

I guess it is hard to take video during bad weather, and I am sure the super teens have done extensively run through bad weather. no other place other than massan and russian land, we can get such data.