HAL Tejas Jet Fighter

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aksha

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While IAF drags feet over Tejas, Naval LCA powers ahead

Even as the Indian Air Force (IAF) wrangles over details in the manufacture and induction of its first squadron of Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), the Indian Navy is powering ahead with its programme to develop a naval version of the Tejas.

In Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore (HAL) on Saturday, the Naval LCA project got a major fillip when the second prototype made its first flight.

The “navalised” Tejas will be based on two indigenous aircraft carriers. The first of these, INS Vikrant, is currently being built by Cochin Shipyard and will enter service in 2018.

The navy’s newest aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya (formerly the Gorshkov), fields only a complement of Russian MiG-29K fighters. However, the 40,000-tonne Vikrant and its successor, a larger (possibly 65,000-tonne) aircraft carrier that could be named INS Vishal, are likely to field the so-called Naval LCA as well as the MiG-29K.

Termed Naval Prototype-2 (NP-2) the new single-seat prototype differs significantly from its twin-seat predecessor, NP-1, which first flew in April 2012. Like all naval fighters, NP-2 has a reinforced undercarriage to absorb the impact of landing on aircraft carriers. Since the pilot must descend steeply to touch down precisely at a spot on the carrier deck where his aircraft’s tail-hook catches on a set of “arrestor wires”, this landing is often likened to a “controlled crash”.
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According to the defence ministry, the new prototype corrects several deficiencies observed whilst flight-testing NP-1. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which oversees the Tejas programme, says NP-2 incorporates most avionic hardware components that the navy has demanded.

These include “plug and play” modules that will accept software modifications for aircraft carrier landing aids (like a Levcon Air Data Computer), auto-throttle, and special lights. NP-2 will also incorporate the arrestor hook, a digital data link for tactical information, and the Israeli Derby long-range air-to-air missile.

NP-2 was piloted by Captain Shivnath Dahiya, a naval test pilot with the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC). Another Tejas, piloted by Group Captain Suneet Krishna, “chased” NP-2 all through its flight, observing it externally.

Meanwhile, the Naval LCA programme is transitioning from regular runways to a so-called Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) --- a full-sized, land-based model of an aircraft carrier deck that has been built in Goa. In December, NP-1 had taken off from the SBTF.

The next major step in the Naval LCA project will be an arrestor-wire landing, carried out at the SBTF.
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A

aksha

Captain
NP1 and NP2 head to head

8Dx4obh.png
 
A

A Bar Brother

Junior Member
Deino said:
Nice ... but is there any special reason why the single seater for the naval version is based on the twin-seater ??? ... isn't this huge faired-over canopy an obstacle for rearward vision ?
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It's an early prototype. There is another single seat prototype to be readied for N-LCA Mk1.

And they want to use the Mk1 as a trainer.
 
Deino

Deino

Lieutenant General
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But will this one look different ... and even more - nicely fitting to my post in the Indian news tread - why again a different configuration ??

Isn't it better to do development at first, test and examine all options, decide in one configuration and build it ??

Yes, prototypes differ from aircraft from aircraft a bit until the final one reaches a configuration ready to be build in production, however I really have the feeling - if it indeed will be different to pt. 2 - that here are too many changes involved, which cost time, money and delay the whole program.

Deino
 
A

aksha

Captain
Deino said:
But will this one look different ... and even more - nicely fitting to my post in the Indian news tread - why again a different configuration ??

Isn't it better to do development at first, test and examine all options, decide in one configuration and build it ??

Yes, prototypes differ from aircraft from aircraft a bit until the final one reaches a configuration ready to be build in production, however I really have the feeling - if it indeed will be different to pt. 2 - that here are too many changes involved, which cost time, money and delay the whole program.

Deino
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this is how the final version will look like
kwK8hud.jpg


the changes will be a longer fuselage,and heavier GE414 engine, higher air flow.
dimensions of GE404 and GE 414 are same
 
A

A Bar Brother

Junior Member
Deino said:
But will this one look different ... and even more - nicely fitting to my post in the Indian news tread - why again a different configuration ??

Isn't it better to do development at first, test and examine all options, decide in one configuration and build it ??

Yes, prototypes differ from aircraft from aircraft a bit until the final one reaches a configuration ready to be build in production, however I really have the feeling - if it indeed will be different to pt. 2 - that here are too many changes involved, which cost time, money and delay the whole program.

Deino
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The second configuration became a necessity. The LCA Mk1 is underpowered, so they have to get the Mk2 with a new engine. Sadly, there is no program to further enhance the F404 due to design limitations. The Indian version has already been squeezed out to its limits. The LCA's F404 is the most powerful version available in the market. 89 KN. That's still 10 KN short, thus the F414.

Since the engine was changed, the LCA Mk2 is being further upgraded to make it more relevant.

Until the Mk2 becomes ready, the Mk1 will be produced in fairly decent numbers. I believe a total of 64 Mk1 versions will be produced between both the navy and the air force.
 
A

aksha

Captain
got this from livefist

Tomorrow: Special Three-Part Series On India's LCA Navy

After a troubled development phase spanning over a decade, 2015 has been a cracker start for the LCA Navy, with two prototypes now in the air. A good time to take a close look at what is by all accounts a perplexing, but crucial fighter development programme, India's first one dedicated to building a carrier-capable airplane. Starting tomorrow, I bring you a status check, and why Team LCA-N is more optimistic than it has ever been. Do join the conversation, share your views, tweet with #GoTejas
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