HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[MirageBlue]

All was confirmed thank to swiss eval leaks.

And then they went and bought F-35s.

 

[GoMig-21]

The Rafale and Peter Collins “This is always difficult to call. The Typhoon helmet mounted display, especially in the yet to be ordered Striker 2 version, is superb. I think the Rafale would eat Typhoon below 10,000ft. The Bug (legacy Hornet) is also superb”

"Would eat the Typhoon" lol he sounds like one of us with that lingo lol.

Interesting how he included the Bug in that convo. That is actually fascinating.

 

[MirageBlue]

Agreed, but it doesn't even have to be a zionist decoy launcher. There are countless brands & makes out there that could be integrated but the point is that while it can be added, it takes away a station where a critically needed additional weapon could be used. And the same but opposite argument could be said about the EFT's built-in decoy is that it's always there and doesn't need to be added. At the same time, it's minus 2 pylons all the time so it becomes a subjective thing; which one would any individual prefer at what time. One of those things that can be argued both ways.

But overall I'm with you on the Rafale having the edge in the end and it might also be a testament to Dassault for pulling out of the Eurofighter consortium to concentrate on building it. One can't help but think had they not done that and stayed with the EFT C., what would've been the future of the Mirage/Rafale concept.

And I'm with you on the F-16's supposed "obsolescence," too. To claim the latest variants of the Viper as obsolete is baseless. That would be like saying the F-15EX is obsolete and that obviously couldn't be further from the truth.

The F-15EX is an improved airframe that looks exactly like the original but is oodles & poodles different in every sense of the word from structurally to materially and the most important of all is the avionics & electronics. Those are the latest & greatest to match all the latest and greatest out there. As a matter of fact, one can even say the F-15EX is a product of the evolution of the F-16 block 70/Viper/F-21.

This is truly the advantage of being originally well-designed as an overall platform. The time, energy and know-how that was put into the overall design of the aircraft has allowed it to be viable through the evolutions of other, newer airframes as long as the vital elements could be modularly replaced as the technology evolves.

For India, Israel is an ally. And one whose weapons are increasingly becoming a part of most major Indian weapon systems. X-Guard towed decoys may well be part of the Super Sukhoi upgrade for the Su-30MKIs as well.

The best part of the Rafael X-Guard towed decoy is that it does not use up any of the hardpoint. it simply is integrated to the pylon at the back.

You're right about the fact that if the original design is sound and aerodynamic, it can continue to be relevant through updates and upgrades for years after it's original avionics, radar and even engines may have become outdated.

Even today, if Dassault had wanted to develop a modern day upgraded version of the Mirage-2000-5, it could have. The basics of the Mirage-2000 (except for it's M-53P2 engine) are all sound and it could've been developed further. It just didn't have the resources to do so, unlike the US and Russia, nor the order size to make it economically viable.

 

[MirageBlue]

"Would eat the Typhoon" lol he sounds like one of us with that lingo lol.

Interesting how he included the Bug in that convo. That is actually fascinating.

Low speed and low altitude is where the Super Hornet is best at. But always remember that the Super Hornet is not very good at turning fights. It maxes out at 7.38 Gs versus the 9 Gs on the F-16, F-15, Rafale, Eurofighter, Su-30MKI, etc.

Peter Collins is no more. I had always wished that Flight International had somehow made him go to India and test fly the Su-30MKI. Would've been wonderful to see how he rated the TVC controls on the MKI and how effective he felt it was as a fighting platform.

 

[GoMig-21]

Current & committed users.

For all the Rafale bashing : just compare the export backlog to understand what is the best.

Yes indeed, this is true. When the UAE signed their contract for 80 F-4.1s, and knowing that Dassault already had other commitments such as Egypt's 30, Greece's 18 (although some of those came out of L'Armee De L'Air's inventory), 18 for Indonesia, I think Croatia also had 18 or 24 something like that and not to forget L'Armee De L'Air's own 70+/- it had on order lol, I immediately thought of how the hell was Dassault going to keep up with timeline deliveries?

That's a huge order and I was just reading how it has put a lot of unwanted pressure on Dassault. Almost a "too much of a good thing could be a bad thing" type scenario. But knowing you Frenchies you have the ability to squeeze out of adversities like this. I'm sure it'll work out in the end and given what appears to be the Rafale NG, things are looking really promising!

“We are also involved in the Future Combat Air System program, of which one of the pillars is the New Generation Fighter.”

Weapons bays capacity:
In Air - Air
MICA IR NG x 2
MICA RF NG x 2
Meteor X 4

Source:

 

[Oscar]

Low speed and low altitude is where the Super Hornet is best at. But always remember that the Super Hornet is not very good at turning fights. It maxes out at 7.38 Gs versus the 9 Gs on the F-16, F-15, Rafale, Eurofighter, Su-30MKI, etc.

Peter Collins is no more. I had always wished that Flight International had somehow made him go to India and test fly the Su-30MKI. Would've been wonderful to see how he rated the TVC controls on the MKI and how effective he felt it was as a fighting platform.

Rate fight - not the one circle and high alpha fight.

The Bug does not like the 2-circle but if you get slow with it will get you.

As much as the video was derided because of a cultural issue with the inability of general Indians to absorb any sort of criticism - the 2008 Post red flag video of narrative on the TVC and its effectiveness is the most accurate one on its fighting capabilities. The TVC is just overkill and adds useless weight to what is already an excellent balance of 2 circle and slow speed fight capability in the MKI.

For a more recent hint - check out the video by Mover on aircraft he wants to fly.

Great for wowing crowds in Airshows - pretty limited use in most air combat scenarios.

 

[BP2]

And then they went and bought F-35s.

It was another campaign, with a deep impact of Joe Biden about the swiss banks in USA.....

 

[BP2]

Even today, if Dassault had wanted to develop a modern day upgraded version of the Mirage-2000-5, it could have. The basics of the Mirage-2000 (except for it's M-53P2 engine) are all sound and it could've been developed further. It just didn't have the resources to do so, unlike the US and Russia, nor the order size to make it economically viable.

There was a plan, 30 years ago more or less, about a M2000 powered with the 10,5T M88.
It was canceled to a very early stade because Dassault was afraid it could kill the Rafale on the export market (and even for France...).

Remember M88 was studied in 3 variants : 7.5 T / 9T (tested) / 10.5 T (no proto made).

 

[BP2]

Current & committed users.

View attachment 47472



Yes indeed, this is true. When the UAE signed their contract for 80 F-4.1s, and knowing that Dassault already had other commitments such as Egypt's 30, Greece's 18 (although some of those came out of L'Armee De L'Air's inventory), 18 for Indonesia, I think Croatia also had 18 or 24 something like that and not to forget L'Armee De L'Air's own 70+/- it had on order lol, I immediately thought of how the hell was Dassault going to keep up with timeline deliveries?

That's a huge order and I was just reading how it has put a lot of unwanted pressure on Dassault. Almost a "too much of a good thing could be a bad thing" type scenario. But knowing you Frenchies you have the ability to squeeze out of adversities like this. I'm sure it'll work out in the end and given what appears to be the Rafale NG, things are looking really promising!

“We are also involved in the Future Combat Air System program, of which one of the pillars is the New Generation Fighter.”

View attachment 47473
View attachment 47474

Weapons bays capacity:
In Air - Air
MICA IR NG x 2
MICA RF NG x 2
Meteor X 4

Source:

Dassault habit is to deliver on time, on spec, on budget.

Sure it is hard to increase the production rate mainly because the subcontractors are already full of Airbus (and Boeing) orders. The son of a friend of mine, working in the DA purchasing dept, confirmed it is difficult, but not impossible. He said that price is no more a subject. Only the lead time is.

 

[Deino]

Current & committed users.

View attachment 47472



Yes indeed, this is true. When the UAE signed their contract for 80 F-4.1s, and knowing that Dassault already had other commitments such as Egypt's 30, Greece's 18 (although some of those came out of L'Armee De L'Air's inventory), 18 for Indonesia, I think Croatia also had 18 or 24 something like that and not to forget L'Armee De L'Air's own 70+/- it had on order lol, I immediately thought of how the hell was Dassault going to keep up with timeline deliveries?

That's a huge order and I was just reading how it has put a lot of unwanted pressure on Dassault. Almost a "too much of a good thing could be a bad thing" type scenario. But knowing you Frenchies you have the ability to squeeze out of adversities like this. I'm sure it'll work out in the end and given what appears to be the Rafale NG, things are looking really promising!

“We are also involved in the Future Combat Air System program, of which one of the pillars is the New Generation Fighter.”

View attachment 47473
View attachment 47474

Weapons bays capacity:
In Air - Air
MICA IR NG x 2
MICA RF NG x 2
Meteor X 4

Source:

Not sure how an AI-generated fan-project should prove any point?

 

[Deino]

Just saw this ... can anyone indeed confirm?

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[MirageBlue]

Just saw this ... can anyone indeed confirm?

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Fake news.

The Tejas LCA landed at Surat airport after calling out an emergency due to low fuel.

Tejas makes emergency landing in Surat

An IAF Tejas fighter jet made an emergency landing at Surat International Airport due to low fuel. The pilot contacted the Air Traffic Control for assistance, ensuring a safe landing at 10:18 am.

Here's the image of the Tejas Mk1 at Surat airport this morning

 

[Deino]

Fake news.

The Tejas LCA landed at Surat airport after calling out an emergency due to low fuel.

Tejas makes emergency landing in Surat



Here's the image of the Tejas Mk1 at Surat airport this morning

Well, I see one Tejas, but if it is "THE" Tejas that allegedly crashed is as much unconfirmed like the crash even more so since that image of a burning one is not yet cleared.
I am only surprised that besides (and quite understandable several Pakistani posts) that even some Indian ones rate it as "confirmed"!

 

[GoMig-21]

Not sure how an AI-generated fan-project should prove any point?

No intentions on proving anything, just admiring what could be a potentially new 5th gen Rafale. Certainly not against forum rules, so I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[MirageBlue]

Well, I see one Tejas, but if it is "THE" Tejas that allegedly crashed is as much unconfirmed like the crash even more so since that image of a burning one is not yet cleared.
I am only surprised that besides (and quite understandable several Pakistani posts) that even some Indian ones rate it as "confirmed"!

Ok, you can cling to your hope of a Tejas crash. Better still- go track Martin Baker's X account and hope that they reveal something for you to cheer about.

Didn't happen, India isn't Pakistan. Our media would love nothing more than to have a sensational bit of news to talk about for the next couple of days.