As the LCA Tejas Mk.1 fights through its crucial final stretch, it has been revealed that the first Mk.2 prototype is likely to be rolled out next year. As part of its effort to identify and certify LRUs for the improved combat jet, HAL has declared on April 9 to prospective development partners/suppliers of a hydraulic pump: “HAL-ARDC is taking up for development and qualification of certain LRUs required for catering to LCA-Mark 2 version. The first prototype aircraft is slated for built during 2013-14, while series production(s) are planned for inducting to fleet which is stated to be taken up in two phases commencing from 2016 onwards.“ (sic)
HAL suggests here that series production of the Mk.2 commences in 2016 — that’ll be bare months after the Mk.1 enters squadron service with the IAF, so I’m inclined see this as typical HAL/DRDO optimism, especially given that there’s substantial work that needs doing on the Mk.2, not least airframe/fuselage changes to house and operate the new F414-GE-INS6 turbofan and allow higher performance requirements.
best wishes for tejas mk2…hope it does not suffer d same fate as his elder brother…really dying to see mk2 version…
wast of money.
wast of Time.
it will delayed to another 10 years
"so I'm inclined see this as typical HAL/DRDO optimism, especially given that there's substantial work that needs doing on the Mk.2"
Ah.. "I" as in Shiv Aroor, who has designed, developed and built over a dozen fighter aircraft and hence am an expert in Aircraft design and manufacture and not a Journalist!
Delusional optimism from HAL/DRDO for usual. LCA-MK.1 is mired in endless problems and continues to fail on every development milestone with the program suffering from lack of vision at the outset and coordination from various stakeholders, something that has been well documented on this site. We need to understand that development of complex platforms requires among other things a well established supply chain, coherence in direction and objectives from all stakeholders and a rigid project scope (not constantly changing objectives. Feels like we lack basic project management skills, something that we can learn from the Americans following on-time delivery of the C130J and the C-17 planes. Don't even get me started on the MOD procurement process by MOD, it's a joke.
Great, now that they have assigned a not so solid date, which means they probably lack a solid plan and thus are highly likely to miss this target. If history teaches us anything, think this means "LCA Mk2 after the end of 2014"
First we should go on with the Rafale deal, the technology transfer comes with this deal will be extremely helpful in designing LCA Tejas MK2, if Dassault transfers some useful technology.
There is just one word for their claims. IMPOSSIBLE…the result would be same like MK1…"TARIKH PE TARIKD"!!
Amazing to see these announcements on dates. Is there no shame anymore.
Why don't they SFTU and get the f**ing MK1 done first. What a waste of money. God forbid, if we have a war tomorrow. We are going to be so f**ked, thanks to this pipe dream.
DODO should not announce any projects till it becomes reality. We will do this, we will do that… just crap like Congress alleviating poverty for 65 years.
By 2016 HAL will have steady production line which will help quite much in kick starting MK-2. That's a lot in short……So this optimism is not worth less.
Now that they have gained experience from Tejas mkI, subsequent development of mkII, mkIII will be much faster. And please don't compare DRDO with Boeing or such who had a head start of several decades and didn't face any sanctions or embargoes. So, of course they are going to be faster on delivery. If we had started on aircraft development much earlier with Marut we would have now been few decades ahead in aviation industry. But no, people who never flew or designed Marut lobbied against it.
Looks like Shiv does not remember what he posts. That a prototype is to be built by 2014 has been reported by him in November, 2012. Serious followers of Indian defense know that journalists should not be taken seriously. They have been compromised.
Something has made Bharat Sarkar crack the whip on DRDO / ADA.
If you ride these guys like a demon, you will see work done on time. Otherwise these guys probably had a panch-varshiya yojna to make the Mark 2 prototype.
That is why privatization is desperately needed for these donkeys.
being optimistic…..hope that mk2 doesnot fall prey to DRDO's trademark complacency nd mismanagement…..
have faith guys.
More so…. when your fav team is 2 goals down at half time.
That's not to say one must be naive. But that's the point: People are working hard(er) on the LCA. Please set aside your impulses to give vent to sarcasm/frustrations. Ignorance is no excuse.
Starts with you Shiv.
It is high time that crucial decisions about Chinook purchase would have been made which would have made a difference in disaster relief , i would evan go for 10 osprey as they would have helped in this situation. The other top priority is 15-20 air refuelers and rafale should not be selected as mirage life cycle cost are exorbitant and avionics upgrade would cost as much as LCA MK2 and every plane needs avionics upgrade 7-10 years. I would put all my resources and get the LCA MK2 prototype flying at earliest and develop it to full potential and sort out the problems quickly.If LCA Mk2 succeeds then AMCA has a chance. I would go simultaneously for bigger LCA MK3 with two engine and front like LCA MK2 and back like YF 23 and have internal weapons bay in the body between two engines which would be fifth generation plane with stealth skin and jammers and features designed for MK2 It can materialize before 2014 and clear it quickly and start producing in numbers.The rupee has slided and every paisa needs to be wisely spent and how come rafale contract which was 10 billion became 20 billion.This is looting and if few hardworking men work with a will and pride can achieve it as GE 414 IN5S6 engine is at least 2 generations ahead of snecma engine of rafale and can reach easily 110 KN and reach in wartime situation 128 KN.The rate of acceleration is unparallelled and it can reach a height of 65 thousand feet if the body can withstand those pressures. With stealth in the MK2 and MK3 a fifth generation plane can be achieved at a price of mirage upgrade. Has anyone seen the performance of MICA missile , has anyone seen the performance of RBE 2 radar it is also the reports that it is second to none and there is no proof of the same as both are in design and testing phase. It makes me happy that there was a problem in nose cone of tejas , thats a good news as and when the new nose cone is designed Tejas would have appreciably better A to A and A to G performance and has any one compared the simultaneous check of Astra with MICA with two planes carrying and firing those missiles.
TIMBAKTOO
Thrust power dont mean superiority
the video rafale vs raptor show the case.
Rafale had 150Kn vs F22 raptor 300KN
Rafale kill with fox2 and gun the raptor, agility was superior to force and power. Remember that for a good time.
Tejas dont have power, Tejas dont have agility, just see flying and you undestand immediatly, but its good experience learning for build a simple jet.
clear, dont compare Tejas (a 3G light trainer with sample doppler and american engine) to other jet fighter like eurofighter,f22,rafale. it would be ridiculous and idiotic.
M88-4 9t was tested, it is reserved for export, french army prefer the 7,5t with low IR signatur.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERIAphWCoiU
Let ADA/HAL complete MK1. On Mk2 based on comments here, it looks like Mk2 needs a lot of work to be done. If they have started manufacturing that based on HAL past performance it would take about 2 years for Mk2 to roll uut. That should meet the 2015 deadline. The only issue is has ADA/HAL completed design work and are in manufacturing phase as
Govt of India procurements takes lot of time for LCA parts/materials.
Hope we get FOC of Mk1 next year and the aircraft is inducted into IAF.
Let ADA/HAL complete MK1. On Mk2 based on comments here, it looks like Mk2 needs a lot of work to be done. If they have started manufacturing that based on HAL past performance it would take about 2 years for Mk2 to roll uut. That should meet the 2015 deadline. The only issue is has ADA/HAL completed design work and are in manufacturing phase as
Govt of India procurements takes lot of time for LCA parts/materials.
Hope we get FOC of Mk1 next year and the aircraft is inducted into IAF.
DRDO is an organization which functions much like our country…ram bharose! Inside scoop is known to everyone who has little bit of knowledge about Indian defence. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Russian, Israeli scientists with Indians that DRDO has been able to make some missiles. And Dr Saraswat the great mouthpiece of DRDO would announce to the world of DRDO's accomplishments! HAL / DRDO doesn't just have enemies in other organizations who have interests in foreign weapon imports for obvious reasons. They also have the enemy within! Their lethargy and lack of accountability…like a typical babu in any Indian govt job! Only time will tell the story of Mark II, but I am not optimistic because DRDO/ HAL have killed it time and again!
As for Shiv, thanks for getting over your sponsored Boeing trip and writing all about their products!
Jai Hind
The only thing HALDRDO is good at is missing timelines. The Defense ministry should allow Private and Foreign firms to team up with regards to Defense manufacturing in India and there would be a paradigm shift in self reliance in Defense sector (just as we saw in the IT and Automobile sector)
Good to hear the news. But scietists must work hard to bulid the plane which should compete with 5th gen plane with low mainteneance cost and great agility. It should be 24/7 war ready like US F16
Be optimistic as Indians and support with full heart
HAL-ADA & GTRE are just bloody liars; none of their time-frames are for real!! FOC of MK1 will not even complete by 2016 and even, MK2 TD-1 will not fly until 2018.. Just google and check the reports everything is getting delayed once again with new Defense Ministry in place! Antony was best to keep DRDO's on their bloody toes! Would VERY strongly advice Modi Govt., to sign Rafale deal ASAP, for 350 fighters and let HAL-ADA take their own time to develop a SUPERB MK2 design- which we can export in large numbers. AESA radar is still not in the making – this is an ABSOLUTE MUST for the MK2 design, together with LATEST Dash-5 HMDSS from Israel!
Why dont they just tell us the truth. Giving date after dates and postponement after postponement. No one trusts them any more. Now I read recently they are talking about 2030 and 2032 as the final date of the revised timeline for Mk 2. By then the world would move on to 6th gen aircarfts and we still play around with 4.5 gen. shame shame.
Have faith. If drdo can produce range of missiles, it is just a matter of time that they will succeed with lca.