Tejas program skips 2011 | idrw.org
2011 year has been one of the worst years for the India’s home grown aircraft. After gaining some speed over the years in the program, 2011 has been not less than a disaster for the countries Tejas program.
After achieving its Initial operational clearance (IOC-1) at begin of 2011, Indian air force expected program to hit the speed, but after fuel leak was detected in some of the aircrafts meant that, whole fleet was grounded for a brief period. And only after the fuel leak problem was resolved the Tejas test flights began.
But that was not the only problem, which the Tejas program faced, due to extended rains, carrying out test flights from Bangalore was slow, which brought down the original number of test flights supposed to be carried out.
Another forgettable event of 2011 was that no Tejas LSP aircrafts where delivered to air force for user trials. In 2010 HAL had delivered LSP-3/4/5. Which helped the program to get the IOC-1, but in 2011 HAL has not delivered single aircraft. In 2011 HAL was supposed to have successful flight of LSP-7 and LSP-8 and this aircraft were meant for Indian air force to carry out user trials.
LSP-7/8 are supposed to be of the same standard that of Serial production aircraft and Indian air force had put together a team of pilots and engineers to study the aircraft ,so has to develop battle doctrine for the aircraft .
Navy too has been waiting for the first flight of NP-1, which was rolled out last year. NP-1 earlier faced problems with its landing gear and then it was found that its undercarriage was overweight, HAL and ADA two major agencies involved in design and manufacturing of the this aircrafts have been in past saying that this aircrafts will have their first flight by end of 2011.
Naval NP-1 has carried out engine run few months ago, but has been facing some problems with its weight, since it is a new aircraft it was expected to have some design issues, but what is holding back flights of LSP-7/8 is still a mystery. Sources close to idrw.org have told there was delay in integration of some new sub systems in the aircrafts which lead to delays. Also since this aircrafts will be up for user trials HAL wanted LSP-7/8 aircraft to be fully as per plan and as per customer request.
IAF has also raised concerns in delays of LSP-7/8 aircrafts in a recent meeting with HAL, since Tejas user trial team has been already been formed and trained over Tejas simulators , and currently was idle since this aircrafts has been no t been delivered to them yet .
HAL was also supposed to deliver first Serial Production aircrafts (SP-1/2) in March and June 2012, but now it seems that there will be some delays has well ,this aircraft were supposed to be part of the first squadron of Tejas aircraft in Indian air force .
IAF has already delayed the Final operational clearance (FOC) by a year now due to delays faced in 2011 and IOC-2 will be achieved only in mid of 2012. HAL and ADA will start working on airframe of the Tejas MK-2 and are still believe that first flight will take by end of 2012, but IAF sources believe that will be rolled out only in 2014.
hope 2012 will b good year for LCA
