Focus Shifts to Tejas MK-2, Project all set to go Critical

[AMCA]

the big problem is MK1 is a totally failed project, a shit plane

Says a Newbie.. How cute

 

[SrNair]

Actually in 2011, then DRDO chief, Dr VK Saraswat, had approached Saab to collaborate in developing the Tejas Mark II. In 2012, the DRDO and Saab held detailed discussions. In 2013, Saab was issued a Request for Proposal, which the DRDO examined and discussed. Yet nothing came of it - Thanks to the erstwhile DM . Senior Saab officials say, off the record, they are keen to partner India in developing the Tejas Mark II. They say the Tejas Mark II, built cheaply in large numbers, would eliminate the need for a heavy, costly, highly sophisticated fighter like the Rafale. Saab sees major profit in co-developing the Tejas Mark II.

The greatest benefit to the Tejas Mark II could be from the Gripen’s superb networking. Aerial combat is no longer about eye-catching aerobatics; it is about data links; networking, and cockpit avionics, which is Saab’s strength.

The DRDO was also hoping to learn from Saab’s maintenance philosophy, which has made the Gripen the world’s most easy-to-maintain fighter. According to independent estimations, the Gripen requires three-five man-hours of maintenance per flight hour. That means, after an hour-long mission, 6-10 technicians require only 30 minutes to put the fighter back in the air.

In contrast, the Rafale is estimated to require 15 maintenance man-hours per flight hour; while the F-35 Lightening II requires 30-35 man-hours.

According to a Jane’s study, the operating cost of the Gripen is $4,700 per hour. The Rafale is thrice as expensive, at $15,000 per hour.

Brazil opens the door for Indian navy and Gripen - Rediff.com India News

I dis agree.What about the diffetence between the Ferry range and Combat radius of Rafale and MK 2.
Pure delta is highly manuverable .
And LCA is not a frontline fighter.
IAF platforms are totally diversified.Adding Gripen will only increase the nightmare of expense .


There is a strange reason for Rafale induction in to IAF.Rafale is sometype of upgraded version of Mirage 2000.
FGFA also have a legacy of Su MKI .
Higher version and constant upgrading will enable LCA as a potent fighter.

 

[Ronin]

Actually in 2011, then DRDO chief, Dr VK Saraswat, had approached Saab to collaborate in developing the Tejas Mark II. In 2012, the DRDO and Saab held detailed discussions. In 2013, Saab was issued a Request for Proposal, which the DRDO examined and discussed. Yet nothing came of it - Thanks to the erstwhile DM . Senior Saab officials say, off the record, they are keen to partner India in developing the Tejas Mark II. They say the Tejas Mark II, built cheaply in large numbers, would eliminate the need for a heavy, costly, highly sophisticated fighter like the Rafale. Saab sees major profit in co-developing the Tejas Mark II.

The greatest benefit to the Tejas Mark II could be from the Gripen’s superb networking. Aerial combat is no longer about eye-catching aerobatics; it is about data links; networking, and cockpit avionics, which is Saab’s strength.

The DRDO was also hoping to learn from Saab’s maintenance philosophy, which has made the Gripen the world’s most easy-to-maintain fighter. According to independent estimations, the Gripen requires three-five man-hours of maintenance per flight hour. That means, after an hour-long mission, 6-10 technicians require only 30 minutes to put the fighter back in the air.

In contrast, the Rafale is estimated to require 15 maintenance man-hours per flight hour; while the F-35 Lightening II requires 30-35 man-hours.

According to a Jane’s study, the operating cost of the Gripen is $4,700 per hour. The Rafale is thrice as expensive, at $15,000 per hour.

Brazil opens the door for Indian navy and Gripen - Rediff.com India News

Interesting statistic, Saab offer seems good if we can get 51 % ownership

 

[Srinivas]

All the technologies are already there I guess, just integrating them will make LCA mark 2 a good fighter.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

I dis agree.What about the diffetence between the Ferry range and Combat radius of Rafale and MK 2.
Pure delta is highly manuverable .
And LCA is not a frontline fighter.
IAF platforms are totally diversified.Adding Gripen will only increase the nightmare of expense .


There is a strange reason for Rafale induction in to IAF.Rafale is sometype of upgraded version of Mirage 2000.
FGFA also have a legacy of Su MKI .
Higher version and constant upgrading will enable LCA as a potent fighter.

Maybe that's why I mentioned "Senior Saab officials say......"

Though going for a JV with 51% share is not bad!

 

[IND151]

I hope LCA Mk 2 enters service ASAP.

We need it as Mig 21s will be retired.

 

[The_Sidewinder]

I hope LCA Mk 2 enters service ASAP.

We need it as Mig 21s will be retired.

If possible by 2020. Sooner the better.

 

[IND151]

If possible by 2020. Sooner the better.

Now Indian Planners will try to induct it as quickly as possible.

 

[Jayanta]

I hope LCA Mk 2 enters service ASAP.

We need it as Mig 21s will be retired.

Not before 2025.

 

[SrNair]

SAAB will tediously work for lobbying in favour the Gripen in Light weight category.
Actually what should be our aim ?A mere self reliance or ever growing export ambitions ?
51% means 20 years of hard work of ADA team for petty salary and self reliance will go to the some European nation having established aerospace industry.SAAB also fearing a potential rivalry from India in near future.As an Indian I cant agree withthat .
Starting willbe always trouble .But it is worth of risk to be taken .We need a total Indian aircraft system and our future should be on the basis of this smallplane.

Maybe that's why I mentioned "Senior Saab officials say......"

Though going for a JV with 51% share is not bad!

 

[$@rJen]

lets hope for the best... Mk2 should be stealth in design

 

[JaiShriAllahNath]

IAF is far more corrupt, incompetent and bogus, compared to HAL.

IAF is stuck in 1960's era of war-fighting. This shows in their obsession with "LCA must be highly maneuverable" demand(which killed the project, by making it largest Sci-Fi exercise for its first time designers). This "highly dancing" non-sense is not there even in F-16 and F-18. Infact, all newer generation planes(F-22, F-35) focus on specific mission roles(long-range combat, bombing, ground strike from stealthy distance). None of newer planes nowadays are going for "aircraft should dance like Rambha, menaka" filmsy demands, such things are good for fancy airshows, not in War.

The whole focus in F-22, F-35 is on improving RADAR, Sensors, more advanced missiles, networking. The focus is NOT on "maneuverability". Infact, US airforce has even decided to keep these planes less maneuverable to increase aircraft's performance in other areas. This is called "focusing on what you need". IAF is focusong on "oh this baby is not sexy, make it sexy looking, give her big b00bs, they should shake too 4 ways" type show-off non-sense.

This "highly maneuverable" was useful in 1960's era when aircrafts didn't have proper air-to-air guided missiles and depended on air-gun(below nose) to shoot other plane in the air. Now imagine how close and slow the other aircraft has tobe if you really want a shot at it. This is possible only if that plane is flying on turbofan, not on turbojet. LOL!!

Nowadays, that era has gone!! Now dogfights exists only in two places - Airshows and yearly exercises(between multiple nations). In real wars of today, the War is over within days and there is no dogfight involved because aircraft fly on turbojet engines, which are so fast, both pilots won't even see each other. Only the Radar will see and air-to-air missiles will do the job, not guns. Hence, this crap concept of "highly maneuverable" is so archaic now.

Now, problem with IAF is, they failed to see this and is still demanding this non-sense concept in LCA, which is what makes design so complicated. Otherwise, LCA is far far quicker to make. It would be ready years ago!

i don't think IAF wanted to buy LCA. They are just fooling around even now. LCA's upgraded version Mk-2 was being demanded by Navy initially, not airforce. IAF was happy with LCA-Mk-1. But as soon as IAF saw that Navy is designing LCA-Mk2, IAF also jumped in and cancelled original agreement to buy LCA-Mk1 in big numbers. Now, IAF also started demanding Mk2 version and refused to buy bigger Mk1 quantity. This is how you f*ck your own nation and hard-working scientists. If DRDO/ADA had been some foreign company, they would have kicked IAF's a$$ for violating original contract on Mk1. Fu*cken traitors !!

Unfortunately, ministers are uneducated to see through this deliberate scam.

In addition to this, Parrikar should investigate why so many Migs, Mig-29, Su-30MKI falling but not as many pilots die. Is this deliberate crashes(jumping off plane) to push new imports? I would say, anglophile top brass of IAF is capable of sh1tting the nation.

 

[JaiShriAllahNath]

lets hope for the best... Mk2 should be stealth in design

And it should also be able to fly up, with nose pointing down. (super maneuverability)

else, buy some more Rafool.

 

[Zarvan]

Focus Shifts to Tejas MK-2, Project all set to go Critical
Published April 18, 2015 | By admin
SOURCE : IDRW NEWS NETWORK (INN)

Mini Collapse of MMRCA deal has clearly shifted focus back to the development of Tejas MK-2 now. Defence minister Mahonhar Parrikar and Indian air force are closely monitoring the progress of Tejas MK-2 and have begun a monthly review of the project. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is developing Tejas MK-2 is feeling the heat but is confident that things will fall in place soon as a major review of the project will be undertaken soon with all concerned parties.

Tejas MK-2 will get final Technical freeze by the end of this year. project definition of Tejas MK-2 will be completed and the project will finally provide a road map to complete all the tasks to be executed over a fixed period of time before Aircraft is ready for Induction.

Avionics & Radar

idrw.org has learned from reliable sources that final Cockpit design layout for Tejas MK-2 has been frozen, MK-2 will sport Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode .

Indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar for Tejas MK-2 has completed Software development for air-air sub-modes and have begun development of software which will allow air-to-ground modes which are crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping, multiple grounds moving target detection and track, combat identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth communications will be completed by year end and IAF and ADA along with LRDE will carry out Project Review at the same time .

Engines

ADA along with GE have carried out Computer assessment of the F414-GE-INS6 engine with 98 kN of thrust in Tejas MK-2 aircraft and have concluded that no major changes in Air intakes are required. GE too has confirmed that the development of F414-GE-INS6 engines is progressing well and will be on schedule and GE engineers will be in India Into carry out mating of the engine with the aircraft when first aircraft is ready.

No Prototypes

ADA will produce 3 Production aircraft which will be of Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) standards and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) will happen in next 3 years after the first flight of first Tejas MK-2 aircraft. they’re won’t be any prototypes and all aircrafts developed for the testing purpose will be identical to each other.

Astra BVRAAM Integration likely

India’s first Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) Astra missile developed by the DRDO will be integrated with the first batch of Production variant of Tejas MK-2 to be delivered to the Indian air force. IAF is keen on getting Astra missile integrated with Tejas MK-I and MK-2 aircrafts. DRDO plans to start production of a missile by 2018-19.

First Flight

While IAF wants first flight of Tejas MK-2 to take place by end of 2017, ADA can only do it by end of 2018 but both are working together to speed up the process and might agree to some level of compromise, since ADA is not building any Prototypes, but an IOC Standard Production aircraft Integration of all crucial components along with weapons and radar will lead to longer build time said sources. Tejas MK-1 and Tejas MK-2 will share less than 30 % of the components with each other and all agencies are working on selecting component suppliers.

Second Production line

IAF and MOD are exploring feasibility of starting Second production line for Tejas MK2 while IAF is still not put a final figure on MK-2 aircrafts they want but it is estimated that final figure might be close to 300 aircrafts till then IAF is committed itself in procuring an initial 83 Tejas Mk 2s and the Indian Navy has expressed its firm requirement for 46 LCA Mk2 for Indian Navy. Talks have been held with Private Defence companies and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is emerging as a viable option said source.

Tejas are and will remain critical condition

 

[munchkin]

ADA can only do it by end of 2018

First flight by end of 2018 means induction possible by 2025. J-10B first flight 2008 but didn't get inducted until 2015.