LCA Navy Gets Ready For Take-Off, Successfully Completes High Speed Taxi Ru

[jamesbaldwin]

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It will be deleted for sure, what many of my fellow Indian bros are missing during the celebrations, is the fact that this is nothing else than an IAF twin seat LCA with LEVCONS and new gears. It has no hook, airframe strengthenings? It also has not the changes of LSP 7 that recently made it's first flight (check the APU).
This TD might be used for skijump tests from INS HANSA, testing LEVCONS and probably even basic gear tests, but is not build to test arrested carrier landings yet. So we will see more prototypes / TDs with other changes later and this doesn't really mean much (other than some PR for DRDO and ADA, guess who were the first to shake the hand of the pilot ).

A bit of a non point really because inherently the N-LCA design is BASED on the IAF LCA design so there is going to be an incredibly high degree of commanlity with N-LCA having a few design changes. NP1 had LEVCON, Strengthened landing gear and strengthened airframe the only thing not present was the tail hook which was not needed in this test as it made a normal landing assisted b y brake chute.

[sancho]

A bit of a non point really because inherently the N-LCA design is BASED on the IAF LCA design

Of course it is based on the same design, the point is, that this version is just the same that was used at the roll out, based on the normal LCA trainer, without any improvements actually. It had no hook back then and don't have it now and even if it don't test arrested landings, if you have developed it, you would integrate it for flight or ground tests. Even several land based fighters have a basic hook for arrested landings in emergencies (Eurofighter, Rafale air force version) and we roll out a carrier fighter without it?
All ADA, DRDO and co has achieved here is, to get the version that was used at the roll out in the air, but there is still a loooong way to go till we see a real carrier version. Btw, who said that the airframe is strenghtended now? This version is based on the MK1 with the GE 404 engine, that means it already will face the overweight issues and already has added even more weight with LEVCONS and heavier gears. For basic flight and landing tests, you don't need further airframe strenghtenings, that's why I believe that they will add this part only on the later versions based on MK2 changes.

[jamesbaldwin]

Of course it is based on the same design, the point is, that this version is just the same that was used at the roll out, based on the normal LCA trainer, without any improvements actually. It had no hook back then and don't have it now and even if it don't test arrested landings, if you have developed it, you would integrate it for flight or ground tests. Even several land based fighters have a basic hook for arrested landings in emergencies (Eurofighter, Rafale air force version) and we roll out a carrier fighter without it?
All ADA, DRDO and co has achieved here is, to get the version that was used at the roll out in the air, but there is still a loooong way to go till we see a real carrier version. Btw, who said that the airframe is strenghtended now? This version is based on the MK1 with the GE 404 engine, that means it already will face the overweight issues and already has added even more weight with LEVCONS and heavier gears. For basic flight and landing tests, you don't need further airframe strenghtenings, that's why I believe that they will add this part only on the later versions based on MK2 changes.

Hey-every great journey begins with a single step. But you make valid points, the N-LCA development has a very long way to go, it is for this reason I have said this:

I think what will end up happening is the IN will use the N-LCA as an advanced lead-in trainer for IN pilots to operate heavy, more capable IN fighters of the futre like Mig-29K/N-MMRCA similar to USN's T-45 Gorshawk but more advanced and can go supersonic. As it seems there are still some major hurldles the N-LCA has too pass and the IN have said they won't wait any longer than they have too. Given their is a pressing need for Naval fighters and the IAC-2 will be larger and probly CATOBAR we will most likely see the IAC-1 and INS Vikramditya air wings be complelty Mig-29Ks and IAC-2 being filled with N-MMRCA and N-LCA being an amazing lead-in trainer. The IAF's LCA Mk.2 will be an awseome machine and good for them, it just seems the N-LCA will miss the boat a bit to be a frontline fighter for IN but the technlogy and know-how can be put to extensive use in designing the N-AMCA/N-FGFA.

N-LCA as a LIFT beyond 2018-20 for IN will be perfect IMHO.

[illusion8]

The Indian Navy, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the others that constitute Team LCA (light combat aircraft) have been successful in getting the first prototype of the LCA naval variant LCA-NP 1 airborne.

The next challenge staring in the eye will be to evolve a testing methodology to check the compatibility of the aircraft on the Indian Navy carriers.

The Indian Navy, along with ADA, has sought the help of the United States Navy to share its expertise while resolving some of these issues, although the US will not have full privy to the design and development of the indigenous aircraft.

“With the US having over half-a-century of experience in developing and maintaining carrier-borne aircraft, we are getting valuable help from to resolve issues, especially with the undercarriage and related problems,” a source familiar with the developments said.

Sources in the Navy said the US Navy is not being paid for the consultancy as the arrangement is a government-to-government arrangement. “We only take care of their travel accommodation and other requirements,” a source said.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed for the purpose, the US consultancy will not cover design-specific or commercial aspects.

It is specifically for carrier-borne operations and they are also helping Team LCA with crucial technologies like the ski jump take off and arrest landing –– technologies that make the LCA naval version a great asset for the Indian Navy –– allowing it to take off from vessels during war and other counter-insurgency operations and land back on them.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, ADA Chief P S Subrahmanya said: “The US Navy Carrier Suitability Test Team is, in fact, conducting audits of our test findings which has been very beneficial for us given the fact that this is India’s first attempt at developing a carrier-borne fighter.”

[sancho]

The Indian Navy, along with ADA, has sought the help of the United States Navy to share its expertise while resolving some of these issues, although the US will not have full privy to the design and development of the indigenous aircraft.

The next part of N-LCA that I don't understand.

INS Vikramaditya is a Russian carrier, IAC 1 will have the same Russian STOBAR design, we bought 45 x Russian Migs to operate them from these carriers and still we don't go to the Russians for assistance to navalise LCA, but to the US??? Where is the logic and why so complicated???

[illusion8]

The next part of N-LCA that I don't understand.

INS Vikramaditya is a Russian carrier, IAC 1 will have the same Russian STOBAR design, we bought 45 x Russian Migs to operate them from these carriers and still we don't go to the Russians for assistance to navalise LCA, but to the US??? Where is the logic and why so complicated???

no idea as well, probably could be to get the US on board on this one to get aided for future or other running programs...we need to start somewhere...just a guess.

[sancho]

no idea as well, probably could be to get the US on board on this one to get aided for future or other running programs...we need to start somewhere...just a guess.

It's actually a problem throughout the LCA development, that the leading companies thought more about US assistance, than more reliable and accessible Russian, or European techs. LCA development would never have been so effected by the sanctions, if they had concentrated on these partners and to make it simple.

[Black Widow]

Of course it is based on the same design, the point is, that this version is just the same that was used at the roll out, based on the normal LCA trainer, without any improvements actually. It had no hook back then and don't have it now and even if it don't test arrested landings, if you have developed it, you would integrate it for flight or ground tests. Even several land based fighters have a basic hook for arrested landings in emergencies (Eurofighter, Rafale air force version) and we roll out a carrier fighter without it?
All ADA, DRDO and co has achieved here is, to get the version that was used at the roll out in the air, but there is still a loooong way to go till we see a real carrier version. Btw, who said that the airframe is strenghtended now? This version is based on the MK1 with the GE 404 engine, that means it already will face the overweight issues and already has added even more weight with LEVCONS and heavier gears. For basic flight and landing tests, you don't need further airframe strenghtenings, that's why I believe that they will add this part only on the later versions based on MK2 changes.

Hold on, everything will happen..
step1: Basic design test, Take off and landing on flat runway (HAL airport), find the issue and fix it
Step2: Take off from ramp, landing on land, find the issue and fix it,
step 3: Take off from ramp, landing on ramp, find the issue and fix it.
step 4: take off from Carrier and land on land , find the issue and fix it
step 5: take off from carrier, land on carrier There must not be any major issue, else there won't be any plane to fix it
Step6: Weapon/radar integration, find the issue and fix it.
Step 7: IOC, find the issue and fix it
Step 8: FoC , find the issue and fix it.

Step 9: at any stage , it is found that we need to go back, go to respective step and redo the process.


Right now we are at step 1, I thing NAVY is wishing that DRDO should complete till Step2, so that they can fly it from Vikadi and land it at GoA.... NAVY has to be pushy, coz without danda *(stick) things didn't work



As a senior member Sancho is expected to know these steps.

[heartrocker22]

The next part of N-LCA that I don't understand.

INS Vikramaditya is a Russian carrier, IAC 1 will have the same Russian STOBAR design, we bought 45 x Russian Migs to operate them from these carriers and still we don't go to the Russians for assistance to navalise LCA, but to the US??? Where is the logic and why so complicated???

US navy is offering its service for free and with their vast experience in Naval airfare ..we can learn a thing or 2.....

[sancho]

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so that they can fly it from Vikadi and land it at GoA.

Isn't there something that you missed here, N-LCA first has to land on the carrier before it takes off again and that's not possible without a hook or the required airframe strenghtenings, not to mention that it needs a certain thrust to take off from the carrier. All this is not going to happen with N-LCA MK1, all it will be use is flight tests and in later stages take off and landings at INS Hansa.

And if they needed 2 years to get this version in the air without any important changes, we can expect a long time till we see any N-LCA version to land and take off from one of our carriers.

US navy is offering its service for free and with their vast experience in Naval airfare ..we can learn a thing or 2.....

First of all, nothing is for free! Secondly, of course we can learn from them, but for N-LCA operated from STOBAR carriers and with the Mig 29K as the prime fighter (with IN beeing the prime customer), it would have been logical and easier to take the Russians as consulting partners in this case.