HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[Pataliputra]

If a Mk1B ever materialises, these would be the upgrades I'd like to see
1. Large single multifunction touchscreen display (similar to AMCA)
2. More powerful Mission Computer optimised for man machine Teaming
3. A conformal fuel tank (not sure just how feasible it would be)
4. An IRST sensor (beneath the portside air intake) similar to AN/AAS-42 of F-15
5. Dual Rack Launcher for BVRAAM (Astra Mk-1 & 2)

Almost All of these upgrades can be directly ported from the Tejas Mk 2 program without much problem

Modern 4th generation fighter jet designs don't require conformal fuel tanks. F-16 uses conformal fuel tanks because it's a 50-year-old design. Aircraft like Tejas, Gripen, Rafale, and Eurofighter don’t use them. Conformal fuel tanks can increase the radar cross-section and negatively impact maneuverability.

 

[Yasser76]

The delay is due to the consideration of using the Kaveri engine instead of the GE-F404 in the Tejas MK1B. Although GE has stated that they can scale up production to 24 engines per year, the potential switch to the Kaveri engine is causing the hold-up.

Nope, even before the engine saga this project is massively delayed and in the past it has been other excuses.
First flight was in Jan 2001 with 35 planes in service.

F-35 first flight - 2006 (over 1,000 planes in service)
JF-17 first flight - 2003 (180 planes in service)
J-20 first flight - 2011 (300 approx planes in service)
Eurofighter first flight - 1998 (600 in service)


But yeah, keep blaming GE....

 

[hussain0216]

From AFM

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Nope, even before the engine saga this project is massively delayed and in the past it has been other excuses.
First flight was in Jan 2001 with 35 planes in service.

F-35 first flight - 2006 (over 1,000 planes in service)
JF-17 first flight - 2003 (180 planes in service)
J-20 first flight - 2011 (300 approx planes in service)
Eurofighter first flight - 1998 (600 in service)


But yeah, keep blaming GE....

Since first flight in 2001 India has inducted 1.27 Tejas per year

 

[Yasser76]

Te


Since first flight in 2001 India has inducted 1.27 Tejas per year

Yup, but its a major success apparently....

 

[hussain0216]

Yup, but its a major success apparently....

It's been 23years since first flight, and the latest delay is apparently they not sure which engine to use??

 

[Pataliputra]

It's been 23years since first flight, and the latest delay is apparently they not sure which engine to use??

First flight of MK1A prototype was in 2022

 

[onlinpunit]

Nope, even before the engine saga this project is massively delayed and in the past it has been other excuses.
First flight was in Jan 2001 with 35 planes in service.

F-35 first flight - 2006 (over 1,000 planes in service)
JF-17 first flight - 2003 (180 planes in service)
J-20 first flight - 2011 (300 approx planes in service)
Eurofighter first flight - 1998 (600 in service)


But yeah, keep blaming GE....

Yeah ! Jf 17 Block 1 also comes under 4th Gen Plane !!

 

[indushek]

The delay is due to the consideration of using the Kaveri engine instead of the GE-F404 in the Tejas MK1B. Although GE has stated that they can scale up production to 24 engines per year, the potential switch to the Kaveri engine is causing the hold-up.

Its the other way around

We did a mistake of not asking for local production for GE 404, as the thought at that point of time wasn't to induct 200 around Mk1 or Mk1A

No one ever expected Covid shutdown and then pretty soon, Ukraine war leading to supply chain issues. Other than Mk1 only two platforms use GE 404 as engines. Don't forget its the only engine certified for single engine fighter plane use.

Effectively meaning, we didn't plan well for any possible delays. Had we planned something similar akin to GE 414 with GE 404, and I mean local production things would have been smoother.

Korean Burame has no such issues with engine supply, as the necessary deals were done before us.

 

[Yasser76]

First flight of MK1A prototype was in 2022

We are talking about MK1 as you are very aware.

 

[Yasser76]

Its the other way around

We did a mistake of not asking for local production for GE 404, as the thought at that point of time wasn't to induct 200 around Mk1 or Mk1A

No one ever expected Covid shutdown and then pretty soon, Ukraine war leading to supply chain issues. Other than Mk1 only two platforms use GE 404 as engines. Don't forget its the only engine certified for single engine fighter plane use.

Effectively meaning, we didn't plan well for any possible delays. Had we planned something similar akin to GE 414 with GE 404, and I mean local production things would have been smoother.

Korean Burame has no such issues with engine supply, as the necessary deals were done before us.

Kaan, Rafale, F-35, JF-17. No one had issues with engine supplies, thus is my point, it's bad project managegment

 

[Yasser76]

Yeah ! Jf 17 Block 1 also comes under 4th Gen Plane !!

Whatever gen, no fighter has had the painfully long timeline Tejas has

 

[Pataliputra]

We are talking about MK1 as you are very aware.

Tejas MK1 entered production in 2012, but IAF later opted for an improved version, the MK1A, to replace the entire MiG-21 fleet. This led to the scrapping of the original MRFA 1.0 program and its transition to MMRCA 2.0. The current MMRCA requirement is for a medium-weight fighter jet to replace the Mirage-2000 and MiG-29. The MiG-21 is being replaced by Tejas MK1A. the MMRCA program is also likely to be scrapped, as Tejas MK2 is expected to enter production before the MMRCA contract is finalized.

 

[Yasser76]

Tejas MK1 entered production in 2012, but IAF later opted for an improved version, the MK1A, to replace the entire MiG-21 fleet. This led to the scrapping of the original MRFA 1.0 program and its transition to MMRCA 2.0. The current MMRCA requirement is for a medium-weight fighter jet to replace the Mirage-2000 and MiG-29. The MiG-21 is being replaced by Tejas MK1A. the MMRCA program is also likely to be scrapped, as Tejas MK2 is expected to enter production before the MMRCA contract is finalized.

No, right now no MK1A is replacing MIG-21, and even HAL are now saying they may deliver one in November 2024 (which in normal time means November 2025 going by HAL standards)

 

[onlinpunit]

Whatever gen, no fighter has had the painfully long timeline Tejas has

Whatever gen, no fighter has had the painfully long timeline Tejas has

Lol! No airforce will touch a plane like JF 17 Block 1 !
Block 2 is a decent plane..
However with only 30 No of Block 3 JF 17 program is at its dead end.

 

[Yasser76]

Lol! No airforce will touch a plane like JF 17 Block 1 !
Block 2 is a decent plane..
However with only 30 No of Block 3 JF 17 program is at its dead end.

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