Naval LCA - News and Discussion

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disha
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Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

Naval LCA is a different beast. Yes it is a mean beast and a very cute beast at that too. And while we put further anthropomorphisms on the first home designed and developed Indian Naval plane., we need to understand it better.

Designing and developing a naval war plane is a different ball game altogether. It is definitely NOT take a land oriented war plane and land it on a carrier deck. Several things need to be accounted for., like how long is the deck? What happens during takeoff (or landing) in roiling seas? How are we going to account for known and unknown variables which are unique to sea based operations?

And hence a new thread. To understand the naval LCA via publicly available news and civil discussions. There were several reasons to start this thread., the need to start one came about by this very candid news article:

Taking a fighter to sea, ship deck different ball game: Maolankar

[Note: It is difficult to copy and paste the relevant sections., so the readers are encouraged to read it]

There is another reason to start this thread and put it in general. Navy is the silent arm., further naval air operations is a complete mystery for the general public. Hopefully a dedicated discussion on India's first home designed and built naval airplane will go a long way in disseminating knowledge among the general public.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

Here is the news of NP2 taking its maiden flight!

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... otype.html
The Indian Naval Aviation, carrier-borne aircraft development program LCA (Navy) got an adrenaline shot in the arm on 07 February 2015. The first LCA (Navy) Fighter, Naval Prototype (NP2) made its maiden flight from HAL, Bangalore airport at 1227 hrs for 35 min.

The flight was piloted by Captain Shivnath Dahiya, who is an experienced Test Pilot from Indian Navy with the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC). The launch was accomplished under telemetry control exercised by Test Director Commander J D Raturi and Safety Pilot Commodore J A Maolankar, the Chief Test Pilot of NFTC.

The chase aircraft cover was provided by LSP2 piloted by Gp. Capt. Suneet Krishna (Retd) with the Test Director being Gp. Capt Prabhu and the Safety Pilot being Gp. Capt. RR Tyagi.

The event marks the growth of indigenous LCA (Navy) program, aimed to achieve Carrier Compatibility technology demonstration including arrested landing and Ski-Jump take off, initially from the Shore Based test facility, Goa.

The first flight profile was stitched together to enable a comprehensive look at aircraft systems and probe known areas of the flight envelope. The aircraft achieved all the planned flight test activity.

The performance of the aircraft in its maiden flight was flawless and executed professionally by National Flight Test Centre, headed by Project Director Air Commodore J Chalapati.

NP 2 maiden launch marks the culmination of relentless design and build effort by several participating agencies. The focus and effort of HAL, ARDC under the aegis of Mr P S Roy, Executive Director is noteworthy. The LCA Navy Programme has been ably and whole-heartedly supported by Mr. Suvarna Raju, the new Chairman of HAL. He lauded the efforts of Engineers of Aircraft Research and Design Centre of HAL for the complex landing gear design, which is significantly different from the Airforce version.

The design teams guided by Programme Director ADA Mr P S Subramanyam have ensured that systems meet the stringent requirements of Carrier borne aircraft. The teams were ably supported by the Certification agency, CEMILAC and the Quality Assurance agency, CRI (LCA), Indian Navy, DRDO agencies, CSIR agencies (NAL & CSIO), other Public and Private Sector participants.

The ADA LCA (Navy) Programme Office, under Cmde C D Balaji (Retd) is exhilarated by the addition of NP 2 as a Flight Test platform. NP 2 has been built with vision and foresight. It addresses several systemic deficiencies observed whilst making progress on flight test of Naval Prototype 1.

It incorporates most avionic hardware components promised to the customer, Indian Navy. During design and build NP 2 has been customized (Plug & Play) to incrementally accept modifications for Carrier Landing aids like Levcon Air Data Computer, Auto-throttle, external and internal Angle of Attack lights.

NP 2 is the lead aircraft for arrestor hook integration, Derby Beyond Visual Range missile and tactical data link. The small but dedicated team of LCA Navy Programme at ADA under Mr. P Thangavel and Cdr Sukesh Nagraj (Retd) and their HAL counterparts Vijay have a challenging task ahead to realise this vision with targeted, sequenced upgrade for maximum aircraft objective achievement and flight line availability.

The inclusion of NP 2 into the LCA (Navy) flight test stable is a significant milestone in the indigenous carrier-borne aircraft development program.

The earlier Naval Prototype aircraft NP1 is a trainer configuration and had done the momentous ski jump launch on 20 Dec 2014 at the Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) at Goa. India is only the third country in the world that has this kind of test facility and sixth to design an aircraft for aircraft carrier operations.

The flight was witnessed by a number of personnel of the LCA Navy team from various agencies with gusto and enthusiasm.

The successful maiden flight of NP 2 is a testimony to the tremendous efforts put in by Scientists and Engineers to enable flight of the first LCA Naval Fighter.

With one Trainer and Fighter in its stable it can be stated “The indigenous Carrier Borne Fighter program is making headway & acquiring momentum.”
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

Aditya G
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Aditya G »

The Mark 2 LCA was supposed to be the definitive Navy variant. With Air Force now committed to Mark 1, where does this leave the Navy? Can the Mark 1 based model fulfill any operational role?
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by nirav »

Dhaga is incomplete without bicchar..

Image

Image
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by srai »

Image
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by srai »

Image
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by udy »

India's Naval Light Combat Aircraft [LCA-Navy] - unique features & flight testing, Capt. Maolankar
credit- Luptonga

edit: link diid not show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJjNXA9w3dg
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

^^ Excellent find Udy'ji. And welcome to the forum. Link does show on some browsers. Thanks for the youtube link as well.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by member_24684 »

srai wrote:Image
can't resist to say..sorry

small body, powerful heavy legs
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by sohamn »

Any news from chaiwalla's about NLCA MK2 ? Is the design complete? When is it going to be ready for first flight? Especially because I heard that the delivery of General Electric F414-GE-INS6 has commenced.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by RKumar »

^ Towards end of this year
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Avinandan »

Noob Poochs :-
1. How does one decide to put 1 or 2 wheels in nose gear in fighter planes ?
2. What are the disadvantages of drooped nose of NLCA vis a vis LCA ?
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by udy »

old tender- do not know if it was posted in some other thread.
Uttam aesa radar will almost certainly be there on the naval LCA MK2 .

LINK
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

Avinandan,

For your first pooch: even to decide on one wheel or 2 wheels, several goals need to be taken into consideration. Like the landing rate, the rate of deceleration, wheel weight, depth of the well etc. Of course, given this matrix certain configurations are apparent and based on that a decision is taken. Basically engineering 101.

For your second pooch: The naval LCA looks meaner than the cute LCA. :-D.

Check out the NP2 video posted in the thread. The reason for a drooped nose is obvious, particularly @3:30, the large field of view available to the pilot is apparent. Also put yourself in the pilot seat and approach a small and thin landing strip at high AoA. Without a drooped nose, you will be flying blind. So much so that you may not even be able to see the landing strip and would not be able to align yourself! So any aerodynamic disadvantage is more than negated by the ability to land safely.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by PratikDas »

Kakarat wrote:
KBDagha wrote:LCA pic with middle fuel tank from #DefExpo

https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD/sta ... 4424997889
Its LCA Navy NP-1
Cross-posting KBDagha

#LCA Tejas performing during the inaugural ceremony of #Defexpo 2016

Image

Image
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by suryag »

This is the np2 cool
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Kakarat »

suryag wrote:This is the np2 cool
Its the LCA Navy Trainer so its NP-1
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Kakarat »

@writetake
Please note @SpokespersonMoD. LCA (N) is not #Tejas. LCA (N) is not yet named. Tejas is the name for IAF version :)

DPR ‏@SpokespersonMoD
LCA(N) performing maneuvers during #Defexpo 2016, #Goa
Image
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Yagnasri »

Now we all need to guess what name it will get.

I select Ushas. :D
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by member_29172 »

Techinically it is still LCA, so it doesn't make sense to give it to a different name entirely. It should Tejas (N) or Nau-Tejas. Giving it a completely different Official name would be confusing and uneccessary. Maybe BRF can give it a name of it's own as is the tradition.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by PratikDas »

Call it Kohli, in remembrance of INS Viraat ;)

(Sorry, it had to be said. I apologize in advance for the torrent of emails to follow)

Added later: The torrent that never came. Honestly, I like the name.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by ramana »

WHy the F-35 costs so much?
Its the different types of aircraft. Only 20% common.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by brar_w »

ramana wrote:WHy the F-35 costs so much?
Its the different types of aircraft. Only 20% common.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5092&p=2001334#p2001334
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

We should call it Tejas DSF or Tejas MSF :-)

DSF - Either Dual Strike Fighter or Dhoti Shivering Fighter. Or MSF - Multi Strike Fighter or Mundu Shivering Fighter. Take your pick.

Naval LCA Trainer itself looks so formidable. It is the first & only carrier borne light combat STOBAR!! Good to see it with a centerline tank.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by JTull »

After a long break, NP1 has just done another launch from the ski-jump at the SBTF facility in Goa.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by jayasimha »

Image

Image

Image

Some thing that should not be missed here
Last edited by Indranil on 08 Apr 2016 02:18, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Picture re-sized. Please see Pratikdas's tip below.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by jayasimha »

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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by PratikDas »

<snip/>

jayasimha ji, please use this code for your post instead. That first picture in your post was far too large:

Code: Select all

[url=http://i.imgur.com/axQf9uc.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/axQf9ucl.jpg[/img][/url]
Last edited by PratikDas on 08 Apr 2016 03:04, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Indranil »

jayasimha wrote:http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/video/lca-navy.wmv

also the video
These video exemplifies the flight path from a ski jump so beautifully: acceleration through the ballistic part and finally the "take-off".
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by disha »

The maiden flight also shows the ballistic part and the "take-off"., as indranilroy'ji has pointed out - the second flight video (latest one above) shows it more clearly & beautifully. Watch between 4-6 seconds markers on both the videos.

I am assuming., NLCA team is qualifying the 'ski-ramp based NLCA launch' software.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by jayasimha »

Sure boss, noji for me,,,

I have done as you said..

I have used a machine and compressed the aircraft itself... :D

the links are given below

https://goo.gl/photos/oeXMTGP58XJ7LQ5z6

https://goo.gl/photos/eVaptvh3fPkwAsYdA

https://goo.gl/photos/kcZTuzGRVxx2RWuVA
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by jayasimha »

This might have been posted but this dhaaga was not there at that time,, i am just putting for the sake of info and records..

http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/dpi ... 122014.pdf

“Small Leap for LCA (Navy) – A Giant Leap for Indian Naval Aviation”
It was a defining moment when LCA (Navy) Prototype 1 (NP1), the first indigenously
designed and developed 4th plus generation combat aircraft designed to operate from the
decks of air-craft carriers, took-off majestically from Ski-Jump facility of Shore Based Test
Facility at INS Hansa in Goa at about 12:34 PM today the 20th December 2014. Piloted by
Commodore Jaideep Maolankar, the Chief Test Pilot of National Flight Test Centre, the aircraft
had a perfect flight with results matching the predicted ones to the letter. The launch was
orchestrated by the Test Director Cdr J D Raturi and Safety Pilot Capt Shivnath Dahiya
supported by Gp Capt Anoop Kabadwal, Gp Capt RR Tyagi and Lt Cdr Vivek Pandey. The
readiness and availability of aircraft for the event was made possible through the relentless
effort of HAL, ARDC under the aegis of Mr P S Roy the Executive Director.
Dr Avinash Chander, SA to RM, Secretary DDR&D DG DRDO congratulated the LCA Navy
program team and said, "With today's copybook flight of LCA-Navy from the land based skijump
facility we see our own indigenous combat aircrafts soon flying from the decks of our
aircraft carriers.” Congratulating the team Dr Tamilmani, DS & DG Aeronautics, said “A complex
task of Ski Jump of NP1 Executed beautifully”.
LCA (Navy) is designed with stronger landing gears to absorb forces exerted by the ski jump
ramp during take-off, to be airborne within 200 m as against 1000m required for normal
runways. It’s special flight control law mode allows hands-free take-off relieving the pilot
workload, as the aircraft leaps from the ramp and automatically puts the aircraft in an
ascending trajectory. The maiden successful, picture perfect launch of NP1 from ski jump at
Shore Based Test Facility at Goa is a testimony to the tremendous efforts put in by scientists
and engineers to design the Naval aircraft, its simulator (that helps pilots to know well in
advance how the aircraft will behave on ski jump) and the flight test team that timed the whole
event to near perfection. It can be stated with conviction “The indigenous Indian Naval Carrier
Borne Aviation program has been launched, literally from the Ski-Jump”
The LCA Navy program team of ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) is jubilant on
achieving the remarkable feat that is the culmination of several years of design, flight test,
simulation and management effort with significant contributions from a number of DRDO
laboratories. The teams were ably supported by the certification agency, CEMILAC and the
quality assurance agency, CRI (LCA). INS Hansa, the Naval Air Station played the perfect host to
achieve this significant milestone. The design teams guided by Program Director ADA Shri P S
Subramanyam have ensured that all systems meet the stringent requirements of Carrier borne
aircraft. Cmde C D Balaji (Retd) as Project Director LCA (Navy) and it’s Chief Designer has been
at the helm of affairs right from the concept phase. The team led by Dr Amitabh Saraf
indigenously achieved the flight control laws that take care of the problems encountered by a
fly by wire aircraft undertaking a Ski Jump Launch.
The Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) has been created to replicate the aircraft carrier with
a Ski Jump for take-off and arresting gear cable for arrested landing; by ADA with the
participation of the Indian Navy, Goa shipyard, CCE (R&D) West, Pune, R&D Engg (E) Pune and
the Russian agencies providing the design support and specialized equipment.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Aditya G »

JTull wrote:After a long break, NP1 has just done another launch from the ski-jump at the SBTF facility in Goa.
Are these done in STOL mode? i.e with chocks to hold the aircraft as it fires the afterburner
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by Kakarat »

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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by member_28990 »

this bird looks a class apart from the IAF version.
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by member_27581 »

Will NLCA operate from Vikramaditya?
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Re: Naval LCA - News and Discussion

Post by member_28657 »

What a B-E-A-Utiful bird! Some observations/questions:
1. On the 3002, after the trailing edge of the wing, on the fuselage, you can see a pipe outlet. Fuel dump system perhaps?
2. Below that pipe, you can see a red counter measure dispensing system.
3. The 3001 does not seem to have the sensors at the top of the rudder like the 3002.
4. No tail hook arrestors on them yet.
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