World's smallest combat jet LCA Tejas' Mark-II avatar to be longer

[Rangila]

BANGALORE: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, pegged as the world's smallest combat jet, will become longer by 500mm-550mm in its Mark-II avatar, which is expected to take off after 2021, the defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has said. Besides, the cost of Mark-IA, the upgraded version of the series production (SP) fighters, will be Rs 190 crore up from Rs 160-crore estimated last year, due to integration of more systems as requested by the Indian Air Force.


The IAF, which among other improvements has specified the need for higher thrust in the upgraded version - it means MK-II - will migrate to the GE-414 engine from GE-404 engine with that.


"For this, we will have to insert one fuselage that is larger by 500-550mm than the present one. This means that the aircraft has to be made bigger," HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju told TOI. The LCA has three fuselages - the front, centre and rear - and the change is expected in the centre one.


Arguing that the tweaks in design to accommodate the fuselage may seem simple on paper, Raju said: "But that would mean a change in the airframe and once the aircraft changes in size, a set of new tests will have to be done."


LCA division general manager V Sridharan said: "It is keeping in mind all this (the long process for the changes) that we said we would accommodate 43 of the 57 requests for action (RFAs) in the MK-IA version, which will have the 404 engine. Now that it's been accepted and the standard of preparation (SOP) is frozen, we will go through with this for the 100-odd aircraft."


Raju added that most of the 43 RFAs will be accommodated from the fifth or sixth aircraft that is to be produced for the IAF.


On the cost of the LCA MK-IA increasing by Rs 30 crore compared to the SP version, Sridharan said: "The cost is bound to go up when new things have to be integrated. And when some of the things include complex systems like the electronic warfare suit, new radar and mid-air refueling, it will (cost will go up)."
He said the MoD and the IAF have been intimated of this and that HAL is going ahead with the improvements as sought.

World's smallest combat jet LCA Tejas' Mark-II avatar to be longer - The Economic Times

 

[GURU DUTT]

BANGALORE: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, pegged as the world's smallest combat jet, will become longer by 500mm-550mm in its Mark-II avatar, which is expected to take off after 2021, the defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has said. Besides, the cost of Mark-IA, the upgraded version of the series production (SP) fighters, will be Rs 190 crore up from Rs 160-crore estimated last year, due to integration of more systems as requested by the Indian Air Force.


The IAF, which among other improvements has specified the need for higher thrust in the upgraded version - it means MK-II - will migrate to the GE-414 engine from GE-404 engine with that.


"For this, we will have to insert one fuselage that is larger by 500-550mm than the present one. This means that the aircraft has to be made bigger," HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju told TOI. The LCA has three fuselages - the front, centre and rear - and the change is expected in the centre one.


Arguing that the tweaks in design to accommodate the fuselage may seem simple on paper, Raju said: "But that would mean a change in the airframe and once the aircraft changes in size, a set of new tests will have to be done."


LCA division general manager V Sridharan said: "It is keeping in mind all this (the long process for the changes) that we said we would accommodate 43 of the 57 requests for action (RFAs) in the MK-IA version, which will have the 404 engine. Now that it's been accepted and the standard of preparation (SOP) is frozen, we will go through with this for the 100-odd aircraft."


Raju added that most of the 43 RFAs will be accommodated from the fifth or sixth aircraft that is to be produced for the IAF.


On the cost of the LCA MK-IA increasing by Rs 30 crore compared to the SP version, Sridharan said: "The cost is bound to go up when new things have to be integrated. And when some of the things include complex systems like the electronic warfare suit, new radar and mid-air refueling, it will (cost will go up)."
He said the MoD and the IAF have been intimated of this and that HAL is going ahead with the improvements as sought.

World's smallest combat jet LCA Tejas' Mark-II avatar to be longer - The Economic Times

in short with just 50-55Cm increase HAL is projecting MK2s entry in 2021 no wonder PMO & MOD have already started looking for "other platforms" as i said many times earlier apart from a couple of naval variants LCA MK1a will be the last of LCA series

 

[Super Falcon]

Wasting money and time LCA for sure be written in history books worlds smallest jet made in more than 22 years took longer time in world than any war machine been made

 

[WAR-rior]

Wasting money and time LCA for sure be written in history books worlds smallest jet made in more than 22 years took longer time in world than any war machine been made

Our money. Go ask for some aid from others.

 

[Super Falcon]

Aid or. No aid important it youwent so mad to destroy us by wasting ur money very good keep going

 

[Pindi Boy]

Again I repeat. No one in India cares for your salutation. We know what we are doing. And confirmation from a Pakistani, citizen of a failed strategist state telling an Indian, known for their strong and independent foreign policy about strategy? Perfect.

One suggestion. Whatever we are doing might be waste and useless for you. But please explain your country to stop taking alms from others and stand on your legs. Any strategy for that?

 

[Cyberian]

I just don't get it how India can spend billions on this program, yet it does not have a single squadron.

 

[WAR-rior]

Compare it with Pakistan vis a vis your gdp.

 

[Sankpal]

Aid or. No aid important it youwent so mad to destroy us by wasting ur money very good keep going

it's our money and choice...... n it's not about to destroy pak.

do u know how many country able to make, design and test aircraft's?

 

[WAR-rior]

I just don't get it how India can spend billions of this program, yet it does not have a single squadron.

Let it be. Don't pressurize you brain. It won't be able to take it.

 

[AyanRay]

I just don't get it how India can spend billions of this program, yet it does not have a single squadron.

Don't worry you won't get it. Any new project needs lots of money, material , hard work and countless failures . But once the process is completed and the purpose is achieved you then reap the benefits and the world salutes you. Look at your avatar and you will know what I mean. If not sure, compare SUPARCO and ISRO, u will surely get it.

 

[My-Analogous]

in short with just 50-55Cm increase HAL is projecting MK2s entry in 2021 no wonder PMO & MOD have already started looking for "other platforms" as i said many times earlier apart from a couple of naval variants LCA MK1a will be the last of LCA series

Correct assessment.

 

[Pindi Boy]

it's our money and choice...... n it's not about to destroy pak.

do u know how many country able to make, design and test aircraft's?

It is a public forum not yours own ...........If u think you can destroy us then you are welcome

 

[sady]

I don't understand if this isn't mediocrity what is? With whole world happy to help and all the capital to utilise India cannot come up with one good fighter or drone and then they say they are suppa power! Wow!

 

[Alphacharlie]

Gentlemen in simple english

a) Increase in fuselage means more powerful engine will be seated : weight ratio, goes up Mach number increases do your math.
b) Centre of Gravity needs to be Calibrated once again, this means Back to Wind-Tunnel
c) Be Happy - More Electricity means AESA power Hungry monster will come in easy
d) Increase in Drag
e) Cowlings need to be re-designed as New engine will need more O2
F) Landing Gear needs to be seated again, weight centres need to be calculated.
g) This means Fuel pipe needs to be extended, this means fuel pumps need to be tested again....
h) Wiring for All avionics needs to be checked again.
i) This means Quatraplex FBW system goes for Toss and needs to be Tested once again for increased Hydraulics....

or simple language Pain in Arse....

But Gain will be massive, you are recreating a New Bird.

All Books we lost in Transition from Marut to Ajeet and the Gap there after of 14 years will be Vanquished.