The N-LCA is dead other that for the use of research. Which, is why the Indian Navy has a tender for "57" foreign Naval Fighters today.
Navy already decided it is underpowered and unsuitable.
Navy cannot possibly wait for any naval MWF. If it is ever built earliest availabilty will be late 2020's. Vikrant should be ready to go early 2020's. Not much point in driving it around for years without any aircraft, is there?
Well, the Indian Navy has 45 MiG-29Ks between 2 squadrons. So the MiG-2K is the fighter that will embark upon the INS Vikrant (IAC-1) for the foreseeable future. The choice of a new imported carrier fighter will not be made anytime soon and will not be available for at least 3 years from its selection. So I would assume that even if things went smoothly on that front, we won't see a Rafale M or Super Hornet flying off INS Vikrant till 2025 at least.
The IN is going to evaluate the Naval LCA Mk2 fighter, when it is in flight testing. After that, a decision will be made on whether to continue with it or not.
Navy already decided it is underpowered and unsuitable.
Navy cannot possibly wait for any naval MWF. If it is ever built earliest availabilty will be late 2020's. Vikrant should be ready to go early 2020's. Not much point in driving it around for years without any aircraft, is there?
The Indian Air Force can't wait for the MWF (MK II) either. Which, is why I doubt it will ever be produced....
Well, the Indian Navy has 45 MiG-29Ks between 2 squadrons. So the MiG-2K is the fighter that will embark upon the INS Vikrant (IAC-1) for the foreseeable future. The choice of a new imported carrier fighter will not be made anytime soon and will not be available for at least 3 years from its selection. So I would assume that even if things went smoothly on that front, we won't see a Rafale M or Super Hornet flying off INS Vikrant till 2025 at least.
The IN is going to evaluate the Naval LCA Mk2 fighter, when it is in flight testing. After that, a decision will be made on whether to continue with it or not.
The N-LCA is dead if you care to believe it or not. Yet, I do agree they will operate the Mig-29K's from the Vikrant at least initially. As the Indian Navy has no other option.
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Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher
- 20th May 2019 at 17:22Permalink- Edited 20th May 2019 at 17:30
The Indian Air Force can't wait for the MWF (MK II) either. Which, is why I doubt it will ever be produced....
It will be produced. The IAF has a huge fleet of Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar fighters that it wants replaced by this Medium Weight Fighter. And the program has the full backing of the IAF with plans being drawn up for the Mk2's capabilities roadmap. Any imported option will not work because of the sheer cost and the comparative lack of gains for local industry.
Read the article below
Importance of LCA programme as flagship for 'Make in India' stressed
The road map and timelines for Tejas capability enhancement and measures to step up its production were also discussed at the conference. PTI
May 03, 2019, 08.38 PM IST
The importance of the LCA programme as the flagship for "Make in India" was stressed here on Friday by Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Air Marshal Suresh of the Southern Area Command, who called for brainstorming on various aspects of its operational viability.
Speaking after inaugurating the first LCA TEJAS operators conference at the Air Force Station at Sulur on the outskirts, Suresh impressed upon the participants, the need to deliberate at length on further improvements in avionics, radar and other systems for future programme like LCA Mk IA & II and AMCA, while working on Tejas FOC and Mk1.
He expressed confidence that those present at the conference, "the finest brains in military aviation", would utilise the wealth of experience to make further versions of LCA into one of the finest combat platforms in the world.
The road map and timelines for Tejas capability enhancement and measures to step up its production were also discussed at the conference, an official release said here
..
While the Air force Version of Tejas has been the talk of town, the naval version continues with the flight test schedule leading to the ultimate goal. The common question has been on the date when is she going to land on deck. The effort required by the flight test crew even to attempt that is monumental, leave alone the development of the aircraft with the required technologies for that. The foremost thing one should keep in mind while being judgmental about the program is the difference between the two versions in terms of operation, operating envelope and the availability of required technology.
Jai Hind.
The Naval LCA continues to undergo the testing. Seen here is the NP-1 during one of the wave-off approach. The test pilots have to master that to achieve the desired sink rate to land on a deck. The task requires at least couple of hundreds of these approaches before the test pilots get and idea on how to achieve that.
[B]The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, is on an official visit to AFS Sulur- 'Home base to Tejas'.
The CAS, interacted with the team 'FLYING DAGGERS' during the visit.
Two greatest Naval Aviators from the same legacy called White Tigers, Cmde JA Maolankar, currently the Chief Test Pilot of LCA Navy program in the front cockpit and Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd), the Ex Chief of Naval Staff in the rear cockpit returning back to dispersal after a sortie in LCA Navy trainer NP-1. The moment will go down the history as one where two naval aviators from different era flew together.
Former Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Arun Prakash, a former Sea Harrier pilot and CO of the INAS 300 'White Tigers' squadron, flew with the Naval LCA Chief Test Pilot Cmde Jaydeep Maolankar.
in his words
Words from former navy chief:
"With 2 of India's best; Naval Tejas & Navy test pilot Cmde Maolankar! Agile LCA matches best gen-4 fighters & is superb example of skills in design, flt testing & 'Make-in-India'. New govt MUST back LCA 100% & bring focus on a/c & engine design & production. We can match China."
New
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher
- 10th June 2019 at 20:13Permalink
Some great Naval LCA Mk1 pictures released by ADA during its latest trials at INS Hansa, Goa. Tire bruising trials, arrestor hook snagging the wire, bolters, night sorties, hot refueling, all sorts of trials were carried out and reportedly went off well. Expecting actual carrier based trials to be initiated this year.
Classic sight that has welcomed disembarking carrier pilots since 1960. The dissimilar twins against the backdrop of "Grande Island" at the threshold of INS Hansa.
Moody study of NP2 against the Goan coastline, waiting for the monsoon.
An Ideal carrier air wing? Some day maybe.
Dabolim maybe the gateway to the typical Goan holiday but it remains the Navy fighter pilot's "Fighter Town".
Hook Down, running in to "Slot", break into the carrier circuit.
Night approaches to hone flying skills. Showing off the newly installed Angle of Attack and undercarriage position indicator lights.
Just eye candy.
Almost ready for the big one (flight arrestment). Once deemed ready, the arrester wire will be rigged.
Hot Refueling, the key to maintaining flight testing tempo. Now available even at night. Standby for "Hot Switching" of pilots next.
Live "Cable Bruise" test for the tyres.
Ground to Air photography for flow visualisation of fuel jettison
Poor Man's Optical Landing Aid (POMOLA) on the right to enhance safety for steeper glideslope test points.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Defence, Shripad Naik has informed that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has doubled its manufacturing capability of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft from 8 to 16 per annum.
If true, this is concrete progress for the Tejas production programme.
Is there any news from India on production of Mk1 FOC aircraft? Last thing I remember hearing was there would be a 6 month break in Tejas deliveries between delivery of the last IOC aircraft at the end of March and first deliveries of FOC aircraft.
New
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher
- 6th August 2019 at 23:40Permalink- Edited 6th August 2019 at 23:46
If true, this is concrete progress for the Tejas production programme.
Is there any news from India on production of Mk1 FOC aircraft? Last thing I remember hearing was there would be a 6 month break in Tejas deliveries between delivery of the last IOC aircraft at the end of March and first deliveries of FOC aircraft.
the production of the first few single seaters for the second squadron (No.18 'Flying Bullets', a decorated squadron) is already ongoing and the first one should be delivered by the end of the year. But, given the way that the airplanes are lining up on the assembly line, you'll see at least 8 being delivered to No.18 Squadron by March 2020.
New
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher
- 6th August 2019 at 23:42Permalink
Hu ... :( 16 per annum, that's still not enough to reach their own target of keeping the number of units while at the same time increasing the number and even more replacing older types.
Any info on how long this production rate is held and when it will be increased?
Deino, the 16 per annum is the number that will be achieved by HAL sourcing the fuselage assemblies from within. However, the front, center and aft fuselage packages were assigned to private vendors and if they are upto the task, then the number of fighters that will be rolled out will increase to ~24 per year.
New
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher
- 6th August 2019 at 23:45Permalink
no wonder that the Keyforum is known a kindergarten!
Cheer up. This forum is not that bad compared to another certain forum where there are a bunch of tards that cant tell the difference between the purpose of different air defense missiles and think 1 country is ahead of the other by comparing that country's new missile sensor about to come out to the Russians old one instead of their newer one coming out. Ironically users that have accounts over there and over here I see as the only knowledgeable users besides them having different interests from mine. I assure you the only reason they don't come to this forum is to save face from getting rekt.
This forum combines different interests from pro-Russian, pro-US and pro-other country users which I think makes this the best aviation forum. Also rules are better applied here with a fair judgement besides another certain forum where a user insults you and you insult them back that user does not get a warning but you do. However the only improvement this forum needs is to give warnings to obnoxious users like KGB and Scooter whom basically just troll I think J-20 is an angel compared to them.
This forum USED to be a great place with a lot of active discussions going on. Nowadays, its slowed down a lot. And no, I don't agree on the fair judgement part. the IAF thread was locked out and still hasn't been opened up despite all the info that it contained. I don't even bother to post IAF info on this forum any more. Waste of my own time.
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 9th May 2019 at 05:44 Permalink
Naval LCA Mk1 is a Technology Demonstrator. We all knew it for more than a year and half.
Naval LCA Mk2 will be the one that the Navy will evaluate to see if it meets its requirements.
By: Anonymous - 9th May 2019 at 06:24 Permalink
The N-LCA is dead other that for the use of research. Which, is why the Indian Navy has a tender for "57" foreign Naval Fighters today.
Posts: 2,626
By: Spitfire9 - 9th May 2019 at 09:43 Permalink
Navy already decided it is underpowered and unsuitable.
Navy cannot possibly wait for any naval MWF. If it is ever built earliest availabilty will be late 2020's. Vikrant should be ready to go early 2020's. Not much point in driving it around for years without any aircraft, is there?
Posts: 4,168
By: halloweene - 12th May 2019 at 12:23 Permalink
There is something i do not like in that plane (air intakes)
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 13th May 2019 at 04:23 Permalink
Well, the Indian Navy has 45 MiG-29Ks between 2 squadrons. So the MiG-2K is the fighter that will embark upon the INS Vikrant (IAC-1) for the foreseeable future. The choice of a new imported carrier fighter will not be made anytime soon and will not be available for at least 3 years from its selection. So I would assume that even if things went smoothly on that front, we won't see a Rafale M or Super Hornet flying off INS Vikrant till 2025 at least.
The IN is going to evaluate the Naval LCA Mk2 fighter, when it is in flight testing. After that, a decision will be made on whether to continue with it or not.
By: Anonymous - 15th May 2019 at 06:11 Permalink
The Indian Air Force can't wait for the MWF (MK II) either. Which, is why I doubt it will ever be produced....
By: Anonymous - 15th May 2019 at 06:14 Permalink
The N-LCA is dead if you care to believe it or not. Yet, I do agree they will operate the Mig-29K's from the Vikrant at least initially. As the Indian Navy has no other option.
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 20th May 2019 at 17:22 Permalink - Edited 20th May 2019 at 17:30
It will be produced. The IAF has a huge fleet of Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar fighters that it wants replaced by this Medium Weight Fighter. And the program has the full backing of the IAF with plans being drawn up for the Mk2's capabilities roadmap. Any imported option will not work because of the sheer cost and the comparative lack of gains for local industry.
Read the article below
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 20th May 2019 at 17:23 Permalink
From LCA FB page
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 20th May 2019 at 17:24 Permalink
From Tejas LCA FB page
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 20th May 2019 at 17:24 Permalink
[/B]Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 24th May 2019 at 19:39 Permalink
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 24th May 2019 at 21:37 Permalink
Former Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Arun Prakash, a former Sea Harrier pilot and CO of the INAS 300 'White Tigers' squadron, flew with the Naval LCA Chief Test Pilot Cmde Jaydeep Maolankar.
in his words
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 10th June 2019 at 20:13 Permalink
Some great Naval LCA Mk1 pictures released by ADA during its latest trials at INS Hansa, Goa. Tire bruising trials, arrestor hook snagging the wire, bolters, night sorties, hot refueling, all sorts of trials were carried out and reportedly went off well. Expecting actual carrier based trials to be initiated this year.
Posts: 2,626
By: Spitfire9 - 17th July 2019 at 17:57 Permalink - Edited 18th July 2019 at 09:48
Deleted
Posts: 4,168
By: halloweene - 20th July 2019 at 12:48 Permalink
At least they designed their arrestor hook better than LM (joke)
Posts: 2,626
By: Spitfire9 - 6th August 2019 at 05:16 Permalink
https://swarajyamag.com/insta/hal-doubles-lca-tejas-production-capacity-sukhoi-su-30-mki-repair-and-overhaul-capability-enhanced
If true, this is concrete progress for the Tejas production programme.
Is there any news from India on production of Mk1 FOC aircraft? Last thing I remember hearing was there would be a 6 month break in Tejas deliveries between delivery of the last IOC aircraft at the end of March and first deliveries of FOC aircraft.
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 6th August 2019 at 23:40 Permalink - Edited 6th August 2019 at 23:46
the production of the first few single seaters for the second squadron (No.18 'Flying Bullets', a decorated squadron) is already ongoing and the first one should be delivered by the end of the year. But, given the way that the airplanes are lining up on the assembly line, you'll see at least 8 being delivered to No.18 Squadron by March 2020.
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 6th August 2019 at 23:42 Permalink
Deino, the 16 per annum is the number that will be achieved by HAL sourcing the fuselage assemblies from within. However, the front, center and aft fuselage packages were assigned to private vendors and if they are upto the task, then the number of fighters that will be rolled out will increase to ~24 per year.
Posts: 3,337
By: BlackArcher - 6th August 2019 at 23:45 Permalink
This forum USED to be a great place with a lot of active discussions going on. Nowadays, its slowed down a lot. And no, I don't agree on the fair judgement part. the IAF thread was locked out and still hasn't been opened up despite all the info that it contained. I don't even bother to post IAF info on this forum any more. Waste of my own time.