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Sergei Mikhailov / Moscow
At the end of 1970. India's thinking about replacing the MiG-21, then be a basis of fighter aircraft of national air forces. In the long term, re-emerging just in 1981. noted that "MiGs" worn out by mid-1990's and the Air Force would lose about 40% of its fighter fleet.
The project, known as LCA (Light
Combat Aircraft - light combat aircraft), should have been,
first and foremost, to serve as air defense fighters. The
task of supporting
ground troops then considered only as a secondary. The
machine was supposed to be highly manoeuvrable and have the
most modern avionics
and weaponry. In
addition, the plane was supposed to be affordablefor
military budget of the country, as until 2000
the Air Force planned to replace the 230 MiG-21
on the LCA. The
first flight of the prototype was scheduled at the turn of
1990-1991. No
less important was
the desire to give impetus to the development of the
national aircraft industry. After
gaining political India has sought to obtain and economic
independence, at least in strategically important areas, to
which be seen as members and aviation. Therefore,
during the formation of the concept of LCA there was a
government program "confidence". In
order to achieve what was planned to solve the most complex
in India's problems, namely But to move forward is needed basis. India intended to create their own fourth-generation fighter, which is impossible without a national engineering school. And now boast was nothing special. In 1955, based on experience gained in developing the first national TCB HT-2, and on licensed production of British fighter jets de Havilland Vampire FB.52 and T.55 corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has begun to develop their own multi-purpose jet fighter plane Marut.Its chief designer was a German aircraft designer Kurt Tank - the creator of the famous fighter FW 190. In August 1956, when it started designing "Maruta" in HAL there were only three Indian design engineer, and all personnel bureau consisted of 54 employees. In 1962, the Indians have mastered the licensed production of British light fighter Folland Gnat F.1, on the basis of which they themselves have developed Gnat Mk.ll Ajeet. At the same time period, based on a British jet TCB Jet Provosl appeared his Indian analogue HJT-16 Kiran. From 1969 to 1975, HAL has made an attempt to create an independent fighter, but to cope with the task failed. Small power engineering corporation engaged in fine-tuning aircraft Ajeet and Kiran. By the beginning of the first studies on LCA talking about some kind of continuity between generations of developers have been impossible. Those who designed the Marut (primarily German specialists), long retired, but the real future designers of LCA in those years were still boys. In these circumstances, in 1983, a research organization in India Defense - Office of Defense Research and Development DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) - got permission to start a program to create a light combat aircraft. In 1984, the Government of India organized an aviation development agency - ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency), to which, and given the task of managing the program LCA. LCA is often referred to as the brainchild of HAL, but the corporation is only responsible for production of the aircraft, and its developer - ADA. In essence, this consortium, bringing together over one hundred laboratories, industry and academic institutions. Formally, the agency is part of the DRDO. Its headquarters is located in Bangalore, just a mile from the office building HAL. The management structure ADA consists of three levels: Technical Committee (Technical Committee) (Chairman - General Director of ADA, Co-Chair - President HAL), JMA (Governing Body) chaired by the Scientific Adviser to the Minister of Defence and the General Authority (General Body) chaired by the Minister of Defence . In addition to program management LCA, ADA responsible for avionics and software development.
ADA's main partner is the corporation HAL, in particular its
branches in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Nasik, and Corvo. Participated
in the program, and several independent organizations, such
as, for example, the company BEL (Bharat
No exaggeration to say that the plane was built the whole
country. For
flight testing, design of composite wing and flight control
laws were even created a special "national team", which
combine
"Critical Technologies"
Originally it was planned already in 1995 to begin deliveries of the new fighter. But the Indian Air Force formulated the final demands to him only in October 1985, which enabled the ADA «gather strength and to determine which technologies can be created in India, and which will initially be imported. At the beginning of the program ADA has identified five "critical technologies". Two of them were eventually successfully mastered the industry: production of structural composite materials and "glass" cockpit. However, these achievements have remained almost unnoticed in the background of the problems encountered in the development of the remaining three. Nevertheless, today the LCA by about 70% have an Indian product. Of the 35 major components of the avionics, only three are imported. This multi-function displays (IFIs), supplied by Sextant (France) and Elbit (Israel), helmet-mounted sight Elbit production and container with a laser targeting system of the Israeli company Rafael. But by the time production begins IFIs will have to supply the Indian manufacturers. On the plane were used, and some other imported parts, such as ejection seat of the American company Martin-Baker, but then the embargo the United States to India in 1988 after its nuclear test, prompting the country to accelerate the creation of analogues. When forming the shape of the new plane of his experience was not enough, and India was forced to seek foreign assistance. By Research Connect the four European companies: the British BAE Systems, the French Dassault Aviation, the German Dornier and MBB. It is curious that neither the U.S. nor the Russian developers at work on the image of the LCA did not participate.
The process has started
At the end of 1983 with VAM signed a contract for consulting work, but to develop the aircraft in 1985 attracted Dassault Aviation, a specialist team which arrived in Bangalore. Director of theProject appointed Dr. Kota Harinarayana (Kota Harinarayana). Preliminary design LCA went from October 1987 to September 1988 and ended in the workplace in 1990 Sophisticated avionics and design of KM caused concern to the leadership of the Air Force, doubted the possibility of industry . Therefore, in May 1989 A committee was formed, soon came to the conclusion that the Indian industry in most areas "ripe" to implement this project. However, took the prudent decision to implement the program in two stages. On the first - have decided to buildtwo aircraft-demonstrator TD-1 and TD-2 and airframe for static tests. Then the Indian government had given permission to build two prototypes PV-1 and PV-2 (PV - PrototypeVehicle). At the second stage of the intended construction of three prototypes. One of them was to become the first production single-seat fighters (PV-3), second (PV-4) - the first-deck version of the aircraft, the third (PV-5) - two-seat trainer version. In mid-1991 HAL began construction of airplanes of the demonstrators. However, the outbreak while the financial crisis has slowed down. Only in April 1993, almost 10 years after the "launch"Project LCA, the government formally authorized the program and the allocation to the first phase of its implementation of 630 million USD, but the real work could begin only in June. TD-1 rolled out initially planned for February 1995 and the beginning of its flight tests - on June 1996 TD-2 were going to build in September 1997 both "technology demonstrator" had to bump to 200 hours. However, the TD-1 ( board KH 2001) in the presence of Indian Prime Minister PVNarashima Pao (PVNarasimha Rao) rolled out from the assembly shop only on Nov. 17, 1995 weighing showed that the machine peretyazhelena, but it has already decided to improve on the TD-2, facilitating the latter to 100 kg. In June and July 1996 on specially constructed stands passed ground tests systems. The first flight of LCA was planned for mid 1997, however, a few years and the TD-1 TD-2 standing on the ground because of problems with the design and nedovedennosti management system.
Made in India
LCA was created by aerodynamic configuration "tailless" with delta wing and a low degree of longitudinal static stability. The shape of the wing, its aerodynamic and geometric twist, pairing with the fuselage to optimize both numerically and blowdowns models in wind tunnels.Mechanization was deflected out of socks across the front edge for improved performance at high angles of attack, as well as the elevons. In the research also examined the aerodynamic scheme of "duck", but, according to Dr. Harinarayana, such a scheme "only increases the weight of the aircraft and the EPR. Likely to impact and influence the firm Dassault, «no one ate the dog" in the scheme "tailless". The main construction materials glider LCA - aluminum and titanium alloys, as well as carbon fiber. Proportion of KM in construction - up to 45% by weight of airframe. Of those executed covering the fuselage and wing spars and ribs of the wing, elevons, keel with the rudder and landing gear doors niches. Empty weight thanks to the CM was reduced by 21%. Their use has significantly reduced complexity and manufacturing fighter aircraft, reducing the total number of sub-assemblies for about 40% compared with traditional metal structure, reducing the number of fasteners by nearly half and reduce the number of holes about 2000. For example, the keel of the aircraft, made of sandwich panels of the Cabinet, has the complexity of manufacturing at the 80% lower compared with the assembly of traditional aluminum construction. In designing the airframe and its systems were widely used computer technology. Subsequently, the exhibition Aero India 2001, ADA was shown at the booth of "virtual model of the aircraft." Since the climate in the country mostly rain, given the bitter experience of the pilots in the cockpits potevshih import MiG-21 and Jaguar, ADA and HAL have paid special attention to air-conditioning system (ACS). Aggregate separation (Accessories Division) corporation HAL in Lucknow has designed a special refrigerator that provides the FCC in limiting the temperature and humidity conditions. The temperature in the cabin should not rise above 22-29 ° C (humidity not exceeding 50%) when operating in hot and humid day. In addition, the FCC provides cooling of avionics, including radar. Another group of ADA has worked to develop and debug software for the host computer - MC (Mission Computer). Four-wire control system and software it has developed ADE. It also created a dynamic and integrated avionics bench, which was tested a complete set of avionics LCA and simulate possible flight profiles. Three modules of the stand came into effect in early 1995 Avionics aircraft on the principle of open architecture, functionally integrated through the use of bus data exchange standard MIL-STD-1553B. The total volume of verification tests, the computer and its integration with the avionics of the aircraft was more than 2000 hours. Man-machine interface is being followed on the mock cockpit. Weapons weighing up to 4000 kg is placed on the seven sites outside of the suspension: one under the fuselage and three under each wing. There's also the eighth node suspension under the left air intake, which can accommodate container with equipment targeting or intelligence. Internal fuel capacity is 3000 kg, which is enough for about 40 minutes of flight. Right in front of the lantern can be placed a fixed rail system in-flight refueling. In addition, under the fuselage and wing possible suspension of three drop tanks with a capacity of 1200 liters, or five to 800 liters. Passive defense Mayavi (in Sanskrit "The Illusionist") developed by the DARE (Defence Avionics Research Establishment) (until July 2001 it was called ASIEO - Advanced Systems Integration and Evaluation Organisation). It includes a notification system for radar and laser irradiation, a system of early warning of missile attack, the ejection device traps and jamming. Reported that the experimental aircraft was the Israeli system of self-defense company Elisra. Particular attention in the development of ADA paid to the radar visibility. It helped reduce thesmall size of the aircraft, as well as the shape of air intake duct, and special coatings.
Reduced margin of static stability has become one of the
most difficult points
of tactical and technical requirements for the aircraft
and the development of by-wire control system (FBWCS) LCA has
been one of the aforementioned "critical technologies". In
1988, Dassault offered to install on their aircraft FBWCS,
but the Indian
government considered this issue so
important that the import of finished product
could not be considered. As
a result, in 1992, NAL, specifically its division CLAW (LCA
National Control Law), began to establish its similar
system. Scientists
rather quickly mastered the design of control laws, but
check them out in practice was not possible. Had
in 1993 to seek assistance from companies BAE and Lockheed
Martin. Around
the same time for the mathematical interpretation of these
laws took longer than expected.Initially, control laws
tested at the booth of BAE, and then a similar stand (Ironbird
or "Iron Bird") appeared in the HAL and ADA (Minibird -
«Mini-Bird). The
second phase of mining Mathematics FBWCS passed in the U.S.
in July 1996, at the flying laboratory F-16 VISTA (Variable
In-flight Stability Test Aircraft).
Starting in the sky
The first flight of TD-1 in the National Flight Test Center NFTC (National Flight Test Centre) in Bangalore, January 4, 2001 Later, the local newspaper wrote that "on January 4 for the Indian aviation industry will become a significant date as July 4 for U.S. residents . this day made the first flight of the first world-class combat aircraft, developed in India. " However, the car was still far from the present level of combat aircraft. The first flight lasted only 18 minutes. Piloted the TD-1 test pilot Kothiyal Rajiv (Rajiv Kothiyal) ". On the cloudless day at the airport were: LCA Programme Director Dr. K. Harinarayana, Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes (George Fernandes), president of the corporation HAL Krishnadas Nair (Krishnadas Nair) and many other officials. Commander Indian Air Force Marshal Anil Tipnis (Anil Tipnis) personally accompanied TD-1 in the air, while in the cockpit of one of two Mirage 2000 fighter jets. After landing test was met, as a national hero - he left the cabin to the sounds of the national anthem .
The prototype was literally bustles with equipment,
recording nearly 2000 flight parameters. The
only "extraneous" items in the first flight were models of
R-60 on the pylons under the wing.Speed was limited to 450
km / h, and height - 3000 m. Therefore, the chassis is not
removed.Maneuvers were performed very smoothly. Run
and run, despite a small take-off weight, have been very
long that the press associated with the "minimum use of the
runway of mechanization and braking wheels in the first
flight." Flight test program was to verify the correctness of embedded designers solutions. True, some concerns remained associated with the American embargo on India's high-tech products for military equipment. And it is directly concerned the LCA, because the "demonstrator" was established American engine F404-F2J3. In the late 80's, India has received from the United States, 11 such engines. The second flight of TD-1 took place in late January. February 9, during the air show Aero India 2001, he completed his fourth flight. In the static display was shown full-scale model of LCA, which is slightly different from the TD-1. By the beginning of the February 2001 three prototypes were built: two "a demonstrator and a prototype PV-1. August 1, 2003 Mr. TD-1 made its first supersonic flight. Test TD-2 (aircraft KH 2002) planned to start in September 2001. but he fell just 6 June 2002 debuted this aircraft at Aero India 2003.If the salon in 2001, TD-1 only once passed over the airfield, then in 2003, this machine, previously carefully hidden from the public showed in the air, and on the ground surrounded by a whole arsenal of weapons, including a guided aerial bombs KAB-500Kr, space-detonating ammunition Odaba-500, guided and unguided missiles, stressing the ability of an aircraft to "work" and ground targets.
The heart of the aircraft
Equipped with the first prototype of an American fighter jet engine GE F404-F2J3 General Electric Company has decided in 1986 at the same time launched a program to create your own turbofans. Developing a new engine management led GTRE, which already had some experience in building jet engines. India's first jet engine with afterburner GTX37-14U has been created it in 1977, new turbofans was designated GTX-35VS own name and Kaveri. Full-scale development began in April 1989 was designed for 93 months, and for its implementation have identified about 82 million USD. It was assumed that the serial LCA will be exactly this engine. Kaveri - twin-shaft turbofan engine with a low-pass ratio and characteristics close to the American F404 and the Russian RD-33. When designing the engine and more attention was paid to pick the parameters and the altitude-speed characteristics than the economy. Certain effect on the structure imposed, and tropical environments. Low-pressure compressor - a three-tiered, high-pressure - six. Turbine - single-stage. Originally planned to build 17 advanced engines. Initially experienced a gas generator, which was named Kabini. His first launch took place in March 1995, a full engine test started in 1996 By 1998, ground tests have been already five experimental motors. Flight tests scheduled to begin in 1999 and a year later to install the engine on the LCA. However, these plans have prevented the political and technical problems. By 2001, five were Kaveri bench tests, three planned to make in the coming months. One of them was supposed to take place in October 2001, the altitude-speed tests in Russia, flying laboratory Tu-16. Thus the term installation at the Kaveri LCA moved in 2005 the technical problems the engine was not reported, it is regularly shown at exhibitions Aero India, but we know that the developer had problems with vanes and a digital control system. The press articles began to appear that the LCA in the near future will not be able to rise into the air. However, the decision to replace the engine to take no time, in September 2001, the U.S. lifted the embargo, and in February 2002, the government of the United States agreed to sell India an additional 40 engines F404-F2J3. In 2003, the ADA has decided to establish eight pre-production aircraft and the prototypes of deck options LCA modernized engine F404-GE-IN20. In February 2004, the ADA has signed a contract worth 105 million dollars with General Electric for the modernization and construction of 17 such engines, the supply of which should begin in 2006 The possibility of use on aircraft engines SNECMA M88-2, Eurojet EJ200 and RD-33. In April 2004, Russian media reported that the JSC "Ufa Engine Industrial Association (UMPO) won the tender and contracted to sell to the Government of India 180 AL-31F engines for aircraft Tejas more than $ 200 million USD with the start of deliveries in in 2005, but this fact has not yet been confirmed. And in mid-2004, Kaveri «disgraced" in the tests on the Tu-16LL, then all hope to install it on the first production car finally died away. This has forced the Defense Ministry of India in 2005 to order another 40 turbofan F404-GE-IN20 for equipping the first production aircraft, and "open door" to foreign participation in the program Kaveri. In February 2006, the ADA has contracted with the French company SNECMA for technical assistance, and in the same year another Kaveri sent to Russia. He is undergoing flight tests at the flying laboratory IL-76 from June to September 2006 Today, attempts to bring engine continues, there is hope that he will still be ready to fly in 2009, however, the cost of his program has risen to 640 million USD. Obviously, the first two squadrons of aircraft LCA still be equipped with American engines. In February 2007, the corporation HAL has ordered an additional 24 F404-GE-IN20 is to equip the production aircraft. In addition, in September 2008 it became known that the ADA is planning to develop a more powerful engine with a thrust of 9500-10000 kg. As the candidates addressed the European turbofan Eurojet EJ200 and the American General Electric F414. And at the show Aero India 2009 Zaporozhian Ivchenko-Progress, "stated the possibility of a turbofan AI-9500F with a takeoff thrust of 9,500 kgf.
Creating radar
One of the "critical" technology was the creation of multi-function radar MMR (Multi-Mode Radar). Originally I planned to use the LCA imported radar PS-05 / A company Microwave Systems, designed for the fighter Saab JAS-39 Gripen. However, after analyzing their foreign counterparts, conducted in early 1990, DRDO has been insisting on developing their own sample.Implementation of the project decided to implement the division by HAL in Hyderabad and management of LRDE. Work on the MMR began in 1997, and flight testing center tasked CABS (Centre for Airborne Studies). In 1997, there for testing avionics and radar LCA re-equipped aircraft in the flying laboratory HAL/HS-748M ASP (Airborne Surveillance Post). By mid-2002 work on the locator stalled, including because of rising project costs, and by early 2005 had been worked out only two modes: air-air and earth observation. In May 2006, it was reported that on other modes MMR «not live up to expectations." According to some sources, the apparent incompatibility of the station module and SPM (signal processor module), which developed the LRDE. After that began address the issue of a temporary installation on the aircraft radar Israeli Elta EL/M-2052 with an active phased array. In the future instead of MMR is planned to develop a new station, possibly on the basis of EL/M-2052. It can occur on planes of the second series (Mark II) in about 2012-2013.
Cut Diamonds
May 4, 2003, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Atal
Bihari Vajpayee) has assigned the aircraft's own name-Tejas,
which in Sanskrit means 25 November 2003 the first flight prototype PV-1 (board KH 2003). May 13, 2006 he first broke the sound barrier, and May 14 - perform another supersonic flight, but this time with hanging arms. December 1, 2005 first took to the sky and the PV-2 (6opt KH 2004), and December 1 2006 - PV-3 (6opt KH 2005). Last machine differs from its predecessors improved interface man-aircraft, advanced avionics, and further mathematics of control laws. In fact it was already the first car in serial configuration. PV-2 and PV-3 were tested at an air base Rajali Navy to study the behavior of the aircraft when flying at sea level. Previously, all tests were conducted in Bangalore, situated at an altitude of about 900 m above sea level. Planned to demonstrate the LCA in Paris in 2007, but for some reason this did not happen. For the three PV followed by pre-production aircraft, or the so-called Limited Edition (Limited Series Production - LSP). LSP-1 (aircraft KH 2011) first took to the skies April 25, 2007, and in the first flight, reaching a speed corresponding to the number of M = 1.1. LSP-2 (board KH 2012) soared 16 June 2008 and became the first vehicle equipped with engine F404-GE-IN20. Prototypes were widely used for testing suspensions and weapons. September 7, 2007 PV-1 made its first flight with two drop tanks with a capacity of 800 liters. October 25, he also fired the first rocket firing P-73. These tests were conducted on the coast of Goa, at the airbase Navy Hansa. February 7, 2008 PV-1 has a flight duration of 1 hour and 24 minutes with two drop tanks of 800 liters. From May 28 to June 4, 2008 PV-2 and PV-3 at Air Force Base Nagpur successfully tested a hot climate. November 7, 2008 PV-3 completed its first night flight, and on December 13 PV-3 and LSP-2 began to pass the test in high altitude, flew from Bangalore to the Indian Air Force airbase Leh. Leh - one of the highest airports of the world, situated at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level. The air temperature during the tests there is -14 C, and at night reached -20 ° C. During these tests were carried out 4 flights, all aircraft systems worked flawlessly. However, not everything went so smoothly, because in early April 2008 the newspaper The Hindu reported that the ADA has begun negotiations with Boeing on the provision of technical assistance in organizing and conducting flight test aircraft Tejas. The tender for the provision of technical assistance was also attended by U.S. company Lockheed Martin and the European concern EADS, but the Indian side expressed a preference for cooperation with a company Boeing. The agency counted with the help of American experts not only reduce the financial costs, but, more importantly, time-consuming due to more accurate planning of tests. However, less than a year later, on Jan. 29, 2009 Defense News reported that the Defense Ministry of India has selected EADS is as a contractor test program aircraft Tejas and estimated contract value of $ 20 million January 22, 2009 Tejas (LPS-2) carried out the 1000 first test flight in the history of LCA. In February, was held successfully reset conventional bombs from aircraft, beginning the tests on the use of weapons air-to-earth. " In these trials involved the aircraft PV-2, PV-3 and LSP-1. In the near future to work out the use of guided aerial bombs. Tests of container targeting Litening for putting these weapons were held in 2008 Integration of radar and avionics installation of it on LSP-3 was scheduled for completion in March 2009, but data about the end of this work yet, but continue its testing on the Boeing 737 flying laboratory «Hack» in Israel. In mid-2009 in the sky to rise and the fourth plane "Limited Edition» - LSP-4. Then go to the Tejas combat tests in the Indian Air Force. Complete their plans before the end of the year. The standard series will be the plane LSP-5, which is going to be used primarily for testing weaponry. LSP-6 will be involved in tests at high angles of attack, and aircraft LSP-LSP-7 and 8 will now fully comply with the initial level of combat readiness. In the case of a positive conclusion will begin mass production. Delivery drill machines will begin in 2010 and 2012, the aircraft reaches the alert. Indian Air Force have formed a special team at Bangalore «LCA Induction Team», which was headed by Deputy Commander of the Air Force. This team of 14 airmen and officers should observe the administration of the Tejas in operation and to resolve all current issues. It also should help develop a program of after-sales service the aircraft and the training of pilots.
Plans for communities
In March 2005, HAL officials said they signed a contract worth $ 450 million to supply the Indian Air Force fighter aircraft Tejas in 1920 and is expected to order one more for the same number of machines. They will all be equipped with engines of F404-GE-IN20. The first squadron of aircraft Tejas will be based at the airbase Tamil Nadu. Originally LCA project was estimated at 5.60 billion rupees (121 million USD), but by January 2001 had already been spent over 30.00 billion rupees (652 million USD). In December 1996 A.P.Dzh. Abdul Kalam (APJ Abdul Kalam), the then Scientific Adviser, said that the selling price fighter LCA will be approximately 21 million USD. In late 2001, the director of the agency ADA Dr. K. Harinarayana said that the estimated cost of the aircraft will be 17-20 million USD with the release of 220 aircraft. However, other sources have voiced the cost of 24 million USD.Moreover, given the inevitable increase in prices, some experts have argued that the cost of production vehicles will exceed 35 million USD. Order for the first 20 aircraft worth just over 450 million USD has allowed to calculate the price of one aircraft - 22,6 million USD. For comparison, the newspaper The Times of India called the price of the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen (34 million USD) and the French Rafale (61 million USD). In 2009, the Indian Air Force plans to purchase 36 aircraft was listed in addition to eight aircraft a "limited series", and Defence Minister of India stated that it will soon be followed by another order for 100 fighter aircraft Tejas.
Development options
Double trainer version of the aircraft PV-5 was calculated to build by 2004, but he left the shop only in November 2008 Cab instructor was installed on site zakabinnogo equipment bay single aircraft without changing the length of the fuselage. At the beginning of January 2009 the aircraft began to perform high-speed taxiing. The first flight was scheduled for late March, but no more information has been received. After the military test aircraft the Indian Air Force plans to buy only 16 aircraft Tejas Mk.l. It will be 12 double machines and 4 aircraft, which will be prototypes for the fighters' second series »Tejas Mk.ll. "Twos" series to be equipped with more powerful engines, such as EJ2000 or F414. Can be installed on the aircraft engine Kaveri is not even considered, although still a glimmer of hope to bring this engine for use on planes next generation NGFA (Next Generation Fighter Aircraft). The decision to start designing Tejas Mk.ll not yet decided finally not selected and the power plant. ADA plans to develop the project and view the first such machine for testing within five years. However, only in the years 2015-2016. will become clear, we got a new plane or not, but because ADA expects to achieve up to that time an additional order for the production of Tejas Mk.l.
Indian Defence Minister not long ago said that all the Indian
Air Force will have to adopt seven fighter squadrons Tejas, and
the ADA hopes that five of them will be armed with air MkII .Deliveries
of aircraft Tejas Mk.ll in the Air Force Meanwhile, in October 2008, the Indian Air Force came to the conclusion that the country needsa new generation of fighter aircraft - NGFA (Next Generation Fighter Aircraft). ADA has several years of leading the search for the program MCA (Medium Combat Aircraft), using the achievements obtained during the program LCA. In addition, the agency will participate in a joint Russian program to develop a fifth generation fighter FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft).But it will be a heavy aircraft class, weighing about 30 tons, and own, India's new generation fighter must weigh "only" 18-20 m. In this case it is planned that he will be maneuverable, with extensive use of technology "Stella C "and internal placement weapons. If the Indian Governmentdecides to start developing such an aircraft, ADA expects to bring him to trial seven years later and about 2025 NGFA can achieve full combat readiness. Almost from the beginning of the program LCA work out and its carrier-based variant for the new Indian carrier - ship's defenses. Ship's plane was supposed to differ materially reinforced construction, the chassis, adapted to take off and landing on the ship, the presence of hook and special equipment. The forward fuselage of this option a few lowered for better visibility from the cockpit, with the right side of the fuselage, fixed landing rod installed refueling system in the air.The single version of the cockpit accommodate an additional fuel tank in a double form - cabin instructor. On the wing is planned to install the generators of the vortices, which should increase the lift force during the landing approach and improve the controllability of the aircraft at high angles of attack. The control system aircraft, in addition to the main onboard computer DFCC (Digital Flight Control Computer) computer will LADC (LEVCON Air Data Computer), which will manage the vortex generators, landing hooks and the automatic throttling of the engine. The first prototype carrier-based fighter NP-1 is planned to double, to complete its assembly gathered in the middle of 2009 In early 2010, he has to perform its first flight. The secondprototype machine NP-2 will be single, but its construction has already begun. the Indian Navy are going to order up to 40 of deck options to replace the Tejas aircraft VTOL Sea Harrier FRS.51 and Harrier T.60. To carry out their tests on the airbase of the Indian Navy in the Hansa (Goa) planned to build something like a test basis of "thread" - Coast testing facility SBTF (ShoreBased Test Facility) with a springboard and arresting gear. There is still time. The final decision on the construction of an aircraft carrier in the Indian shipyard in g.Kochin were only adopted in January 2003, vessels launching will happen in October 2010, when major work will be completed on the construction of housing. Upon completion of construction and obtaining basic equipment carrier must go to sea for trials in 2013 and will enter into the Indian Navy in 2014-2015. It is intended to equip the carrier-based fighter Tejas.However, not everyone is convinced that this will happen. In September 2008, sources in theDefense Ministry of India reported that the Committee for Defence Procurement has authorized the additional purchase in the next few years 29 MiG-29K in the exercise of the option to contract in 2004 providing for the delivery of 16 aircraft of this type. The cost of the new contract could reach nearly 2 billion USD. "MiGs" and plans to base a new aircraft carrier of national development.
Biography LCA has more than 20 years, and all these years is debatable, whether India needs a fighter. From a pragmatic point of view, the answer should be "no." Why spend a fortune to build the aircraft in any way inferior to modern analogues, which will be ready for military service no earlier than 2016? But for the Indian aviation industry program LCA is a fundamentally different problem, whose solution will provide an answer to a question whether India can independently develop and build a supersonic fighter planes, corresponding to world level, or its destiny and continue to purchase aviation equipment abroad. In light of the declared policy of the Minister of Defence, it is clear that money for LCA are not spared and will not be sorry, especially in co-operation involved more than one hundred companies and organizations from 28 cities of this vast country.
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two seater
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