LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Team Tejas should have reached sakhir airbase by now cause they are supposed to leave bangalore by jan 5 , halting at jamnagar , refueling at muscat and finally bahrain.
website like flightradar24 dont report about military flights , can anyone track them online ?? I don't think tejas have or even if it have some thing similar to Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS–B) , it will remain off.
Well , in my pursue of tracking tejas , i stumbled upon more questions , gurus here might help
ICAO code for tejas is LCA , WTC is M and Designation L1J and Manufacturer is ADA
provided by this link http://cfapp.icao.int/Doc8643/reports/P ... ncode).pdf
What L1J denote ??
website like flightradar24 dont report about military flights , can anyone track them online ?? I don't think tejas have or even if it have some thing similar to Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS–B) , it will remain off.
Well , in my pursue of tracking tejas , i stumbled upon more questions , gurus here might help
ICAO code for tejas is LCA , WTC is M and Designation L1J and Manufacturer is ADA
provided by this link http://cfapp.icao.int/Doc8643/reports/P ... ncode).pdf
What L1J denote ??
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Forgot another update from FB communications.
Indranil Roy wrote: And this (the ballast in the nose) is expected to come down after the IFR probe is bolted on? Is it likely that this ballast is completely done away with restructuring and reorganizing the LRUs/MLG on the Mk1A. Reports claim so. I have learnt not to believe reports.
AM wrote: If I'm not completely mistaken, the LSPs and the SPs already had the internal plumbing built-in for the IFR. So maybe hydraulics for the Probe, the Probe itself and the Probe-plumbing interface etc needs integrating - so I'd doubt the entire forward-fuselage ballast can be done away just by IFR integration. However what would be interesting to find out the weight-penalties wrt 2052 (vs 2032) integration
Indranil Roy wrote: Of course. I just meant ballast commiserate to the weight of just the probe will come off
Tejas - LCA wrote: Indranil Roy , You are absolutely right, Sir. The IFR probe will reduce the ballast weight. As currently, only the prototypes are flying, the ballast is a variable. Once, the final version, rather the frozen SOP starts flying, things will streamline.
AM Sir, the last of the LSPs are getting modified for the IFR probe.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
^^ From what I see on ICAO site: L = Land plane, 1 = engine count, J = Jet plane
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Is the quartz radome ready from Cobham?
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
UK based Company “Cobham” finally delivers quartz radome and in-flight refueling probe for LCA-Tejas
http://idrw.org/uk-based-company-cobham ... lca-tejas/
http://idrw.org/uk-based-company-cobham ... lca-tejas/
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Hooray!!!!!
Cobham delivers quartz radome and IFR
Dated 20 August 2015
Has radar integration trials underway since the radome is there since August 2015? Can we find out from the FB page?
IR, the IFR plumbing has second source confirmation from above.
Cobham delivers quartz radome and IFR
Dated 20 August 2015
But raises more questions?Cobham U.K as finally handed over newly designed quartz radome and in-flight refueling probe for integration with LCA-Tejas MK-1 to speed up its final operational clearance (FOC) which due to non-supplies already has been pushed back to March 2016.
New quartz radome developed by Cobham will replace Composite radome of Indian make to increase the detection range of the Indo-Israeli developed Hybrid ELTA MMR Radar from 50 Kms to 80 plus Km which currently are been used on Tejas MK-I aircrafts.
Cobham U.K were awarded Contract to supply New quartz radome and in-flight refueling probe in early 2014 , which missed multiple deadlines due to which FOC certification for Tejas MK-1 had to be postponed to March 2016 from its December deadline of this year.
Defence Analyst believe that radome integration and testing will begin soon and can be completed in next few weeks, but Integration of IFR probe might take few months since it involves Structural changes but sources close to idrw.org in past have confirmed that fuel pumping and fuel lines have already been installed in all last batch of LSP (Limited Series Production LCA) and SP ( Series Production LCA) aircrafts in anticipation of integrating IFR probes at later stage.
But Mid-air testing of IFR probes, where aircraft receives aviation fuel from the Refuelling tanker aircraft while in flight is not only a time-consuming process but requires months of preparations, which might again delay FOC process unless HAL is able to integrate in-flight refueling probes in multiple LCA aircrafts, to speed up the testing process.
Indian and Israeli team of engineers are closely currently working on Integrating Israeli developed within visual range (WVR) air-to-air Python-V missile and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air Derby missile in LCA Tejas aircrafts in Bangalore and DRDO plans to carry out first weapons trials in next few months, which are also important requirements of the final operational clearance (FOC) certification process required to be cleared by Tejas MK-1.
Has radar integration trials underway since the radome is there since August 2015? Can we find out from the FB page?
IR, the IFR plumbing has second source confirmation from above.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
It is dated August 2015
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
There was flight testing halt between May-August 2015. I can only guess that time could have been spent on doing various integration/upgrade work like fitting in new radome and IFR probe/plumbing, resolving landing gear issues, gun firing and hardening of LRUs to vibrations, and software updates (envelope expansion and integration of Israeli AAMs).
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
SP-1 had first flight in Sept 2014 and delivered to IAF on 17 Jan 2015. If at all, SP-2 (last year bold statements were given by HAL that SP-2 to SP-5 are being prepared) is being worked upon & prepared, 17 Jan 2016 will be a nice date to deliver to IAF. Helps in keeping simple line in mind :- "HAL produces (to be proven yet) 1SP/ year".
My personal view is that it actually takes a sarkari babu like HAL Chief Retirement to deliver a SP before a certain date. Last year Tyagi (then HAL Chief was retiring on 31 Jan 2015) retirement made HAL deliver SP-1 and Parrikar to ask IAF to pick up the delivery on 17 Jan 2015.
My personal view is that it actually takes a sarkari babu like HAL Chief Retirement to deliver a SP before a certain date. Last year Tyagi (then HAL Chief was retiring on 31 Jan 2015) retirement made HAL deliver SP-1 and Parrikar to ask IAF to pick up the delivery on 17 Jan 2015.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
thank you , nileshjrnileshjr wrote:^^ From what I see on ICAO site: L = Land plane, 1 = engine count, J = Jet plane
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
About 15 mins ago I saw a Tejas, drop tanks and all, take off from HAL airport.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
One doesn't need a second source! This is the official Tejas FB page, run by ADA.ramana wrote: IR, the IFR plumbing has second source confirmation from above.
Have asked this before, page admin did not reply. Have to respect their discretion. However, I think the first flights with the radomes and the IFR have not commenced yet.ramana wrote: Has radar integration trials underway since the radome is there since August 2015? Can we find out from the FB page?
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
More information from FB page:
1. Astra for sure
2. Derby for Navy version.
3. Gun is not yet integrated.
1. Astra for sure
2. Derby for Navy version.
3. Gun is not yet integrated.
The gun integration was initially part of mark1. However, will be done post FOC thereby appropriately for mark 1A. This is a lesson for the Indian fighter aviation development process. (In) All other programs, gun is the first store to be integrated onto a fighter simply because the uncertain modifications it throws. The other program houses will never reveal the experiences which they have earned in a harder way. Same applies to us too.
However, the initial integration activity shows promise. It is only a matter of when will the prototype be offered to carry out the modifications.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Photoindia.com whom seem to have been hired by ADA, does a pretty good job on Tejas PR videos. I was watching several other videos of Tejas on Tejas FB page and all of them are quite good. Wish the other agencies hire similar PR agencies for other products...would love a video on Arjun trials etc.
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Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
how will we get an FOC without gun? this is terrible news.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
"The gun integration was initially part of mark1. However, will be done post FOC thereby appropriately for mark 1A. This is a lesson for the Indian fighter aviation development process. (In) All other programs, gun is the first store to be integrated onto a fighter simply because the uncertain modifications it throws. The other program houses will never reveal the experiences which they have earned in a harder way. Same applies to us too. However, the initial integration activity shows promise. It is only a matter of when will the prototype be offered to carry out the modifications."
If gun is the first store to be integrated onto a fighter program , how come it went missing with this light fighter program ??
if this happened before from idrw
"Integration of Russian-made Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 twin-barreled 23 mm auto-cannon which is an important requirement needed for certification on Tejas MK-1 before Full Operational Capability or Final Operational Capability ( FOC) certification can be granted to LCA-Tejas has been completed.Double-barreled aircraft gun reportedly has cleared all Ground based weapons trials on board LCA Tejas aircraft and will soon start Gun testing while aircraft is in operational flight.Muzzle calibration has been completed and grounds based tests have achieved desired results said reliable sources. Vibrations levels were at acceptable levels and Gun firing also has taken place while the engine was in power to check any suction of gas generated by gun into the engine .Ground and Aerial testing of Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 was one of the crucial systems which needed to be cleared before FOC and air force didn’t want to rely on its long-range air-to-air missiles to defend itself in the air, and remain defenseless in close combat.Integration of Close Combat Air to Air Missile Python-V and Beyond Visual range missile Derby already have been integrated and Next month full-fledged weapons trials of LCA-Tejas will be conducted which will span over next few months"
1st came the news that because of glitches with undercarriage 4 to 5 precious months were lost with zero activity , okay these things happen in any fighter program but what stopped them from aerial testing the gun ??? why things can't run in parallel ?? now God knows when the fully undercarriage rectified tejas will be offered for testing the guns . If this is the case then the 1st 40 tejas will be without internal guns .
If gun is the first store to be integrated onto a fighter program , how come it went missing with this light fighter program ??
if this happened before from idrw
"Integration of Russian-made Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 twin-barreled 23 mm auto-cannon which is an important requirement needed for certification on Tejas MK-1 before Full Operational Capability or Final Operational Capability ( FOC) certification can be granted to LCA-Tejas has been completed.Double-barreled aircraft gun reportedly has cleared all Ground based weapons trials on board LCA Tejas aircraft and will soon start Gun testing while aircraft is in operational flight.Muzzle calibration has been completed and grounds based tests have achieved desired results said reliable sources. Vibrations levels were at acceptable levels and Gun firing also has taken place while the engine was in power to check any suction of gas generated by gun into the engine .Ground and Aerial testing of Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 was one of the crucial systems which needed to be cleared before FOC and air force didn’t want to rely on its long-range air-to-air missiles to defend itself in the air, and remain defenseless in close combat.Integration of Close Combat Air to Air Missile Python-V and Beyond Visual range missile Derby already have been integrated and Next month full-fledged weapons trials of LCA-Tejas will be conducted which will span over next few months"
1st came the news that because of glitches with undercarriage 4 to 5 precious months were lost with zero activity , okay these things happen in any fighter program but what stopped them from aerial testing the gun ??? why things can't run in parallel ?? now God knows when the fully undercarriage rectified tejas will be offered for testing the guns . If this is the case then the 1st 40 tejas will be without internal guns .
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
We need to wait for official confirmation on FOC status before declaring #bigblowtoLCA.maxratul wrote:how will we get an FOC without gun? this is terrible news.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
If the plane was not flying due to problems with the undercarriage, they would not be able to do any aerial testing of the gunShaun wrote: 1st came the news that because of glitches with undercarriage 4 to 5 precious months were lost with zero activity , okay these things happen in any fighter program but what stopped them from aerial testing the gun ??? why things can't run in parallel ?? now God knows when the fully undercarriage rectified tejas will be offered for testing the guns . If this is the case then the 1st 40 tejas will be without internal guns .
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Well , then it seems , the a/c with the gun integrated have undercarriage problem or they have found the problem with the entire fleet ???shiv wrote:If the plane was not flying due to problems with the undercarriage, they would not be able to do any aerial testing of the gunShaun wrote: 1st came the news that because of glitches with undercarriage 4 to 5 precious months were lost with zero activity , okay these things happen in any fighter program but what stopped them from aerial testing the gun ??? why things can't run in parallel ?? now God knows when the fully undercarriage rectified tejas will be offered for testing the guns . If this is the case then the 1st 40 tejas will be without internal guns .
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
The entire fleet was grounded for a few weeks, which is SOP for issues that could occur across airframes. This was posted on the forum including the gap in flight testsShaun wrote:
Well , then it seems , the a/c with the gun integrated have undercarriage problem or they have found the problem with the entire fleet ???
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
winter trials from early 2015
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
will bold good news only:
-- also means radar with quartz radome also integrated. Means it fits without any issues.
-Ground testing of gun to check vibration complete. Means LRU packages are good enough for gun shock and vibration. Mostly shock and high freq vibration. Gun firing induced profile is like that.
- Ground testing with engine running shows no issues with potential gun exhaust ingestion at ground levels. Needs high altitude testing for confirmation.
My conjecture. If ground shock and vib levels are OK flight will be ok. Most likely pkgs are qualified to envelope loads which are based on 1 in 500 levels per Mil Standards.
Even gas ingestion could be minor but needs confirmation. Reason is at high altitude gas exhaust could be higher fraction of the engine intake.
- Best part IAF wants the gun. Means they want to be in dog fight business and not rely on BVR what not like USAF.
- LCA armament trails are to be resumed soon.
All in all good report.
LCA FB page is being conservative which I don't blame them.
However don't have to be that pessimistic!!!
All in all good news.
- Integration of gun and CCAAM & BVR complete. Means everything fits!!!!Shaun wrote:"The gun integration was initially part of mark1. However, will be done post FOC thereby appropriately for mark 1A. This is a lesson for the Indian fighter aviation development process. (In) All other programs, gun is the first store to be integrated onto a fighter simply because the uncertain modifications it throws. The other program houses will never reveal the experiences which they have earned in a harder way. Same applies to us too. However, the initial integration activity shows promise. It is only a matter of when will the prototype be offered to carry out the modifications."
If gun is the first store to be integrated onto a fighter program , how come it went missing with this light fighter program ??
if this happened before from idrw
"Integration of Russian-made Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 twin-barreled 23 mm auto-cannon which is an important requirement needed for certification on Tejas MK-1 before Full Operational Capability or Final Operational Capability ( FOC) certification can be granted to LCA-Tejas has been completed.Double-barreled aircraft gun reportedly has cleared all Ground based weapons trials on board LCA Tejas aircraft and will soon start Gun testing while aircraft is in operational flight.Muzzle calibration has been completed and grounds based tests have achieved desired results said reliable sources. Vibrations levels were at acceptable levels and Gun firing also has taken place while the engine was in power to check any suction of gas generated by gun into the engine .Ground and Aerial testing of Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 was one of the crucial systems which needed to be cleared before FOC and air force didn’t want to rely on its long-range air-to-air missiles to defend itself in the air, and remain defenseless in close combat.Integration of Close Combat Air to Air Missile Python-V and Beyond Visual range missile Derby already have been integrated and Next month full-fledged weapons trials of LCA-Tejas will be conducted which will span over next few months"
1st came the news that because of glitches with undercarriage 4 to 5 precious months were lost with zero activity , okay these things happen in any fighter program but what stopped them from aerial testing the gun ??? why things can't run in parallel ?? now God knows when the fully undercarriage rectified tejas will be offered for testing the guns . If this is the case then the 1st 40 tejas will be without internal guns .
-- also means radar with quartz radome also integrated. Means it fits without any issues.
-Ground testing of gun to check vibration complete. Means LRU packages are good enough for gun shock and vibration. Mostly shock and high freq vibration. Gun firing induced profile is like that.
- Ground testing with engine running shows no issues with potential gun exhaust ingestion at ground levels. Needs high altitude testing for confirmation.
My conjecture. If ground shock and vib levels are OK flight will be ok. Most likely pkgs are qualified to envelope loads which are based on 1 in 500 levels per Mil Standards.
Even gas ingestion could be minor but needs confirmation. Reason is at high altitude gas exhaust could be higher fraction of the engine intake.
- Best part IAF wants the gun. Means they want to be in dog fight business and not rely on BVR what not like USAF.
- LCA armament trails are to be resumed soon.
All in all good report.
LCA FB page is being conservative which I don't blame them.
However don't have to be that pessimistic!!!
All in all good news.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
^^^
Extra cautious approach in gun integration as there is a lack of previous experience unlike other nations that have a wealth of flight/integration knowledge and experience. We have all seen that short clip of a LCA firing its gun on the ground, which means initial gun integration has been done. Ground firing has been done with the engines running as well to study potential gas ingestion issues. But they need to run through a much more extensive checks of the airframe and LRUs after each test to make sure everything is still ok. Flight testing is more risker due to gas ingestion and potentially other issues and need to make doubly sure contingencies are in place. It is likely gun-capability will take longer than initial FOC planned this year; may be couple more years i.e. around Mk1A timeframe.
Main positive news is that it looks like the LCA Mk.1 has fully opened up its flight envelope--an absolute necessity for FOC, IMO: 8G+, 24+ degree AOA and M1.6+ plus others like hot, cold, altitude, all-weather, night, turn-around times, multi-role and weapons carry/release at all specified points.
Extra cautious approach in gun integration as there is a lack of previous experience unlike other nations that have a wealth of flight/integration knowledge and experience. We have all seen that short clip of a LCA firing its gun on the ground, which means initial gun integration has been done. Ground firing has been done with the engines running as well to study potential gas ingestion issues. But they need to run through a much more extensive checks of the airframe and LRUs after each test to make sure everything is still ok. Flight testing is more risker due to gas ingestion and potentially other issues and need to make doubly sure contingencies are in place. It is likely gun-capability will take longer than initial FOC planned this year; may be couple more years i.e. around Mk1A timeframe.
Main positive news is that it looks like the LCA Mk.1 has fully opened up its flight envelope--an absolute necessity for FOC, IMO: 8G+, 24+ degree AOA and M1.6+ plus others like hot, cold, altitude, all-weather, night, turn-around times, multi-role and weapons carry/release at all specified points.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
srai, Look at the cutaway drawing of LCA and see placement of engine intake and gun. shouldn't be a problem.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
no gun means IAF cannot use it in a war situation. it will be trials squadron until the gun is certified.
I am surprised none could study the history of other programs and realize the importance of the gun.....we have integrated powerful powerful guns on the marut before. I guess it was not considered a sexy topic to dwell on.
they need to certify it asap, perhaps in phases like impose a limit on how many rounds get fired on each burst....a semi-auto sw limiter that gets expanded finally to emptying the whole mag in a single burst.
a over cautious approach will impose a big cost in credibility on the already delayed FOC. it will provide another convenient stick to label it a 2-legged cheetah.
I am surprised none could study the history of other programs and realize the importance of the gun.....we have integrated powerful powerful guns on the marut before. I guess it was not considered a sexy topic to dwell on.
they need to certify it asap, perhaps in phases like impose a limit on how many rounds get fired on each burst....a semi-auto sw limiter that gets expanded finally to emptying the whole mag in a single burst.
a over cautious approach will impose a big cost in credibility on the already delayed FOC. it will provide another convenient stick to label it a 2-legged cheetah.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Tejas team to put 'best ever' aerobatics in Bahrain
Ajai Shukla | New Delhi Jan 09, 2016 09:00 PM IST
India's home-grown Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) might never fire a shot in anger at its Pakistani counterpart, the JF-17 Thunder. Yet, the Tejas is already squaring off against the JF-17. When the Indian fighter performs aerobatics at the forthcoming Bahrain International Air Show international aviation experts will directly compare it with the JF-17, which flew at the Paris Air Show in July.
The Tejas team is geared up to impress the experts in its international debut. Business Standard learns that the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which oversees the Tejas' development, has put together a flying routine that "significantly surpasses any aerobatics display the fighter has presented earlier."
"So far, we have always flown with large safety margins in hand. At Bahrain, we will show the spectators what the Tejas can really do, how much energy the fighter has", says an ADA official closely associated with the preparations.
The "Made-for Bahrain" display routine will test the Tejas' limits in vertical climbs, high-speed runs, tight turns and the fighter's slow flying ability.
With the flight-test programme having recently cleared the Tejas for 8G turns (which create stresses on the aircraft that are eight times the force of gravity), the performance at Bahrain will include two 8G turns in front of the display stand. "We do not intend to return to India feeling we could have done more. Aerospace experts will scrutinise every performance, and recordings of these, over succeeding months. We hope to make it worth their while," says the ADA official.
Two Tejas fighters will fly to Bahrain for the air show on January 21-23. These fighters, along with three pilots, are already at an air base in Gujarat, practising their routine in sea level conditions akin to Bahrain. In mid-January, they will fly to Muscat, and then to Bahrain.
Air show performances serve various aims. Some displays are structured to entertain spectators with spectacular, but technically easy, flying. Others emphasise pilots' skills, such as close-flying displays. The Tejas, however, will present a "product demonstration", which showcases for potential customers the performance aspects that make it a good combat aircraft - such as the ability to climb quickly and turn tightly.
"A good 'product demonstration' must translate dry capability statistics into actual flying performance that makes an impact on potential customers", explains a veteran test pilot. As the Tejas has passed performance milestones in a flight-test programme that began in 2001, it has flown and climbed faster and turned tighter, transforming the sedate "flying displays" of the mid-2000s into today's exhilarating aerobatics.
Tejas pilots and ADA officials are confident the fighter will bear the stress of edge-of-the-envelope flying for several weeks. "The Tejas is often criticised for being too heavy. But that also makes it a structurally strong aircraft, with plenty of reserve strength to push the performance envelope," says a veteran Tejas test pilot.
While the Tejas aims to entertain the spectators, and enthuse the aerospace analysts, the primary intention of featuring it at Bahrain is for evaluation by prospective buyers, who study recordings of air show performances.
"Big aerospace corporations like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Dassault have in-house media teams, which produce high-quality, professional recordings of their aircrafts' performances. ADA is handicapped in this respect", rues an official.
The JF-17 Thunder, which already equips three squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), enjoys a lead of several years over the Tejas. Numerous press reports suggest that Sri Lanka has asked to buy the fighter, although Colombo denies this.
The JF-17 has also been more visible internationally. It debuted in 2010 in a static display at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK, and has flown in several air shows, most recently at Paris in July 2015.
However, the fourth-generation Tejas is technologically superior to the third-generation JF-17. Built of composite materials, the Tejas is more manoeuvrable, has better avionics and can carry more fuel and weapons. Eventually, however, customers seek assured production and delivery, and in that the JF-17 is ahead. Pakistan's Kamra factory has already delivered 66 fighters to the PAF, assembled for the most part with Chinese components. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has delivered only a single Tejas to the Indian Air Force.
http://wap.business-standard.com/articl ... 628_1.html
Ajai Shukla | New Delhi Jan 09, 2016 09:00 PM IST
India's home-grown Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) might never fire a shot in anger at its Pakistani counterpart, the JF-17 Thunder. Yet, the Tejas is already squaring off against the JF-17. When the Indian fighter performs aerobatics at the forthcoming Bahrain International Air Show international aviation experts will directly compare it with the JF-17, which flew at the Paris Air Show in July.
The Tejas team is geared up to impress the experts in its international debut. Business Standard learns that the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which oversees the Tejas' development, has put together a flying routine that "significantly surpasses any aerobatics display the fighter has presented earlier."
"So far, we have always flown with large safety margins in hand. At Bahrain, we will show the spectators what the Tejas can really do, how much energy the fighter has", says an ADA official closely associated with the preparations.
The "Made-for Bahrain" display routine will test the Tejas' limits in vertical climbs, high-speed runs, tight turns and the fighter's slow flying ability.
With the flight-test programme having recently cleared the Tejas for 8G turns (which create stresses on the aircraft that are eight times the force of gravity), the performance at Bahrain will include two 8G turns in front of the display stand. "We do not intend to return to India feeling we could have done more. Aerospace experts will scrutinise every performance, and recordings of these, over succeeding months. We hope to make it worth their while," says the ADA official.
Two Tejas fighters will fly to Bahrain for the air show on January 21-23. These fighters, along with three pilots, are already at an air base in Gujarat, practising their routine in sea level conditions akin to Bahrain. In mid-January, they will fly to Muscat, and then to Bahrain.
Air show performances serve various aims. Some displays are structured to entertain spectators with spectacular, but technically easy, flying. Others emphasise pilots' skills, such as close-flying displays. The Tejas, however, will present a "product demonstration", which showcases for potential customers the performance aspects that make it a good combat aircraft - such as the ability to climb quickly and turn tightly.
"A good 'product demonstration' must translate dry capability statistics into actual flying performance that makes an impact on potential customers", explains a veteran test pilot. As the Tejas has passed performance milestones in a flight-test programme that began in 2001, it has flown and climbed faster and turned tighter, transforming the sedate "flying displays" of the mid-2000s into today's exhilarating aerobatics.
Tejas pilots and ADA officials are confident the fighter will bear the stress of edge-of-the-envelope flying for several weeks. "The Tejas is often criticised for being too heavy. But that also makes it a structurally strong aircraft, with plenty of reserve strength to push the performance envelope," says a veteran Tejas test pilot.
While the Tejas aims to entertain the spectators, and enthuse the aerospace analysts, the primary intention of featuring it at Bahrain is for evaluation by prospective buyers, who study recordings of air show performances.
"Big aerospace corporations like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Dassault have in-house media teams, which produce high-quality, professional recordings of their aircrafts' performances. ADA is handicapped in this respect", rues an official.
The JF-17 Thunder, which already equips three squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), enjoys a lead of several years over the Tejas. Numerous press reports suggest that Sri Lanka has asked to buy the fighter, although Colombo denies this.
The JF-17 has also been more visible internationally. It debuted in 2010 in a static display at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK, and has flown in several air shows, most recently at Paris in July 2015.
However, the fourth-generation Tejas is technologically superior to the third-generation JF-17. Built of composite materials, the Tejas is more manoeuvrable, has better avionics and can carry more fuel and weapons. Eventually, however, customers seek assured production and delivery, and in that the JF-17 is ahead. Pakistan's Kamra factory has already delivered 66 fighters to the PAF, assembled for the most part with Chinese components. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has delivered only a single Tejas to the Indian Air Force.
http://wap.business-standard.com/articl ... 628_1.html
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Modi and Doval ji - Thanks. 66 delivered JF-17 couldn't beat 1 delivered LCA Tejas pre FOC aircraft.
I think Sri Lanka and Nigeria interest in cheap fighters should be taken on board and at no-profit/no-loss LCA Tejas MK1 should be sold to these countries - may be 1 squadron each. HAL gets more money for second production line.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ ... a-objects/
I think Sri Lanka and Nigeria interest in cheap fighters should be taken on board and at no-profit/no-loss LCA Tejas MK1 should be sold to these countries - may be 1 squadron each. HAL gets more money for second production line.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ ... a-objects/
Stiff opposition from India has forced Sri Lanka to drop plans, at least for now, to buy JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan.
The Sunday Express has learnt that New Delhi shot off a diplomatic missive a few weeks ago to Colombo on why it should not buy the JF-17 Thunder, including a negative technical assessment of the aircraft. It was also pointed out that the country’s defence requirements did not need fighters.
While questions were raised in Sri Lanka too about the reported $400-million deal, India’s forceful opposition, conveyed through a non-paper, was one of the likely reasons that made Sri Lanka drop the plan for now.
The Pakistani media were reporting that the deal for JF-17s would be signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s three-day visit to Colombo which ended Wednesday.
Despite its own financial crunch, Pakistan was also said to be ready to extend a line of credit to Sri Lanka for the aircraft.
On Tuesday, Sharif and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the Defence Minister, signed agreements under eight heads in Colombo, but the sale of aircraft was not one of them.
The Indian government delivered the non-paper — diplomatic parlance for a white sheet of paper without a letterhead or signature — to Colombo at the highest levels about three weeks ago after reports that Pakistan was seriously engaging the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) on the Chinese fighter aircraft to replace the SLAF’s ageing fleet of Israeli Kfirs and MiG-27s.
Pakistan had been pushing for the sale of 10 to 12 JF-17s, each priced about $35 million. Talk of the deal gained ground after a visit to Pakistan by SLAF chief Gagan Bulathsinhala last November. He was invited to send a team to assess the aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra.
Kamra is where the PAC and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) co-produce the aircraft. But defence experts believe that the aircraft are more or less only assembled at Kamra from readymade Chinese kits. Taking up the Pakistani invitation, a team of Sri Lankan Air Force officials visited Kamra to test the aircraft and run simulation tests.
New Delhi has opposed SLAF plans to buy the J-17s on the ground that Sri Lanka does not need fighter aircraft. It is six years since the war against the LTTE ended. Since then, Sri Lanka’s defence spending has increased. For 2016, it is an estimated $3 billion.
Sri Lankan sources said India also put forth a technical argument that the Russian engines of the JF-17 were not the best, that even China does not use these aircraft. Earlier, some Sri Lankan reports had said India had offered its own Tejas to the SLAF instead.
India is also concerned that the deal, if it goes through, will enable the PAC, and perhaps even the CAC, to set up a facility in Sri Lanka for maintenance and training, and increase and widen contacts between Pakistan and Chinese security forces and Sri Lanka.
In 2014, the then Sri Lankan government had cleared a proposal for China to set up a maintenance-cum-servicing facility for its aircraft that are part of the Sri Lankan fleet in Trincomalee. The SLAF has in it fleet the Chengdu F-7 fighter aircraft, and the Y-12 and MA60 transporters. India had raised concerns then about the plan and the Sri Lankan government had said it would be manned only by SLAF personnel. With the change in government, that plan was shelved.
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Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Shouldn't we actually encourage Lanka to buy jf-17? Then have exercises with them to understand it fully?
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Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Actually finance it for them, if necessary
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
It'll only serve to bring paki personnel into SL in the name of support and training and enable them to slip into india or carry out anti-india nonsense. We can give them lca when its ready instead.
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Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
How about paying Lanka to buy, say, 2-3 of them and have them over? Disassemble one fully and use the other for testing against LCA
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Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
No use.rajatmisra wrote:How about paying Lanka to buy, say, 2-3 of them and have them over? Disassemble one fully and use the other for testing against LCA
The Tejas is far more capable (Composite Airframe Vs. Aluminium, Quadruplex FBW Vs. FBW in certain regimes, Superior weapons suite, HMDS + HOBS CCM Vs. PL-5II and more importantly the superior 404 IN 20 Vs. the Klimov RD33 Baseline variant.)
The Tejas would out-bomb the JF with the Litening 4+ Griffin, too.
The JF would be a nuisance at best because of the production capabilities of the "Taller than" friend.
Let us not kid ourselves, our LCA program far surpasses the Chengdu-PAC JF Program as far as strategic importance in concerned.
We can fit the next gen Kaveri, if shyt hits the fan, while the Pakistanis have to make do with the Klimov.
We are fitting 3500Ton "Corvettes" (PN Calls them frigates ) with BEL RADARs, FFS!
We have surpassed the Pakistani tech "Holy Grail", which involves ToT under "Al XXX" name lines...
And importantly Kim's Korea cannot produce a ****** Turbofan Engine, for proliferation purposes!
SL can buy the JF for all the marketing hokum that the Pakis publish, but it still wont outrank the Tejas (IOC-II) in merit.
Nuisance it is, at best.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Latest from LCA FB page:
SP 2 will come up soon. Cobham radome ground integration checks are over. The actual flight testing will commence soon.
The directive as of now is that the first 20 ac will be with present configuration. The rest no is with SOP-18. This is,a wise decision looking at the time line HAL is seeking. The mark 1A needs all heavy gun's interference and an honest dedicted effort from all to realize.
And coming to delay in SP is becausr there are still grey areas in getting the finlised production version of all the components. The no runs to couple of thousands. All said done, delay is primarily because of lack of a clear cut directive. If you look at mirage 2000 induction, the integration of sensors was a contnuous process whereas it is expexted from tejas to have everything in the beginning itself, which is a tough ask.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
^^^
Everything in beginning itself! That too with constant new/revised additions.
On the other hand, even the PAF has already inducted 66 J-17 (a much simpler aircraft/capability) in three blocks with features being added over time after induction. Rafale, Gripen, Eurofighter, Su-30MKI et al all followed the same pattern. Give some slack IMO!
Everything in beginning itself! That too with constant new/revised additions.
On the other hand, even the PAF has already inducted 66 J-17 (a much simpler aircraft/capability) in three blocks with features being added over time after induction. Rafale, Gripen, Eurofighter, Su-30MKI et al all followed the same pattern. Give some slack IMO!
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
I wonder what the risks of a sale of the LCA to SL (which is of course speculation at this stage) given their closeness to the Chinese and the Pakies.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
The Media cannot differentiate between T-90 and Arjun. So nothing more can be expected from them. Atleast here we must be using the correct name of the fighter from China and it's Xiaolong or FC-1 (Fighter China 1). Lets use only this name whenever the Chinese fighter is mentioned.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
that is good news.. we need to know about the radar range improvements now with the new radome.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
Anyone here going to Bahrain for the Air show? Will need Videos, and lots of them of Tejas.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
And please keep a steady hand while videoing the Tejasuddu wrote:Anyone here going to Bahrain for the Air show? Will need Videos, and lots of them of Tejas.
Re: LCA Tejas: News and Discussions
If I may dare ask without being whacked - wasn't it HAL which was insisting on a frozen SOP prior to undertaking manufacture on assembly line?srai wrote:^^^
Everything in beginning itself! That too with constant new/revised additions.
On the other hand, even the PAF has already inducted 66 J-17 (a much simpler aircraft/capability) in three blocks with features being added over time after induction. Rafale, Gripen, Eurofighter, Su-30MKI et al all followed the same pattern. Give some slack IMO!
I may be wrong technically pr factually, in which request pardon the ignoramus?