Anyone can make big mouth statements about future aircraft performances..... even before the first prototype has been assembled. Look at almost every design process in aviation history.... it takes decades to build up world class aviation industry and huge investments.
This is not a aircraft which is on paper but it is simply an upgraded version of existing MK1. So it is not a paper plane.
And Tejas is surely a decent 4th gen fighter... definitely able to replace the Mig 21s, but is it a "very good 4th gen fighter?"
yes it is a plane having very low RCS compare to most of the 4th generation plane and has a very decent RADAR and best in the world AAM.
-Speed is comparatively low (Max. speed is 1,350 Km/h), that makes it difficult to outrun or to catch up with enemies
The speed you said is a Speed CAS i.e at sea level which is equal to mighty MKI speed at sea level. No other plane in Asia can hit that speed. At high altitude, tejas has cross Mach 1.6 i.e 2000 KMPH.
- Service ceiling and combat range are lower than another lightweight fighter like the F 16 B50, which limits its effectiveness
Tejas with limited envelop has touched 50000 ft before IOC. which is equal to F 16 block 50. And F 16 is not a light fighter of 6 ton class. It is a plane with 8.5 tons of empty weight so both are not in same category
- It has a lower payload than F 16 B 50
Obviously since it is a light fighter. Mk2 will have a comparable pay load to F 16 inspite of being couple of ton lighter.
T/W ratios are equal. 1.07 to 1.09.
- TWR of Tejas is less than 1.0, while the F 16 B50 has a TWR of over 1.0... that means that the F 16 can outclimb the Tejas in a dogfight
T/W ratio of tejas is 1.07 against 1.09 of F 16B block 50. Tejas with its limited envelop opened has already completed high G turn in just 20 second in Aero india 2013 (In Vertical loop) which is equal to F16. Performance will further improve once the envelop is opened.
- LM already experiments with stealth technology on its F 16`s, Mikoyan Gurevich already puts TV engines on its Migs, both also successfully tested AESA radars and other advanced avionics on their models..... meanwhile, what has HAL done?
Do not talk about what LM tested on F 16. i am talking of F 16 in neighbor hood. Inspite of LM testing stealth of F 16, It will not be able to match low RCS of tejas. RCS of tejas is already comparable to best in the world plane. So far as AESA is concern, ofcourse some latest F16 have it but I am talking about Planes used in Asia.
- Does Tejas use the Kaveri engine? No, because it simply underperforms compared to other engines.
Man Kaveri will be available in another 5 to 6 years. I am talking about plane in totality, Using GE404 doesn't make Tejas any less efficient Machine.
We started in Missile technology very late but we caught surpass European Nation. We can do that in aviation also. I do not foresee any reason why we can not surpass Europe in next decade.
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- AFAIK, the Tejas has not fired a BVR missile yet? But I could be wrong on that...
It has already fired BVR but not integrated with RADAR. It is a part of FOC test.