X-Post from the MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III thread...
QUOTE: AVM Manmohan Bahadur has written a nice article in today's TOI. Has written a nice article on the implications of the US's offer of the F-35 down the line. He ends the article by saying 'the GOI should push HAL to deliver on the LCA Mk2 and AMCA projects. I have some news to share on that front. On 30 January 2025, I was invited to speak to the personnel of the HAL fixed wing design bureau. After my taIk I was shown the progress of the LCA Mk 2 manufacture. All parts are being built on jigs using CATIA 5 software. Workers are looking at screens and carrying out their work. The air frame has a considerable proportion of composite parts and the finish is an order of magnitude better than in the LCA Mk1 days. They hope to start equipping the air frame with LRUs by Sep/Oct 2025 and commence ground runs around April 2026 leading to first flight later in 2026. On February 11th, I visited Aero India 2025 and was shown the full scale all composite air frame of the AMCA. After the show extensive RCS measurement tests are planned to fine tune the signature to the lowest possible figure. I sat in the LCA Mk 2 simulator and flew it with the side stick. The cockpit has a single large screen display which can be segmented as required by the pilot. The flight control computer is ready and undergoing qualification. Almost all hydraulic actuators have been indigenised and some have finished flight tests. The indigenous content has increased considerably. These two visits were heartening and shows we are moving in the right direction. We need to redouble our efforts to achieve true self reliance.
https://x.com/shiv_cybersurg/status/1892734134319251626 ---> Some good news on the Tejas/LCA Mk 2 from Air Marshal Rajkumar. You cannot get a more reliable source.Don’t Be F-35ed
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi ... 393433.cms
19 Feb 2025
By Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd)
QUOTE: AVM Manmohan Bahadur has written a nice article in today's TOI. Has written a nice article on the implications of the US's offer of the F-35 down the line. He ends the article by saying 'the GOI should push HAL to deliver on the LCA Mk2 and AMCA projects. I have some news to share on that front. On 30 January 2025, I was invited to speak to the personnel of the HAL fixed wing design bureau. After my taIk I was shown the progress of the LCA Mk 2 manufacture. All parts are being built on jigs using CATIA 5 software. Workers are looking at screens and carrying out their work. The air frame has a considerable proportion of composite parts and the finish is an order of magnitude better than in the LCA Mk1 days. They hope to start equipping the air frame with LRUs by Sep/Oct 2025 and commence ground runs around April 2026 leading to first flight later in 2026. On February 11th, I visited Aero India 2025 and was shown the full scale all composite air frame of the AMCA. After the show extensive RCS measurement tests are planned to fine tune the signature to the lowest possible figure. I sat in the LCA Mk 2 simulator and flew it with the side stick. The cockpit has a single large screen display which can be segmented as required by the pilot. The flight control computer is ready and undergoing qualification. Almost all hydraulic actuators have been indigenised and some have finished flight tests. The indigenous content has increased considerably. These two visits were heartening and shows we are moving in the right direction. We need to redouble our efforts to achieve true self reliance.
Statistics: Posted by Rakesh — 21 Feb 2025 08:48