India HAL Tejas Program

Nilgiri · Jul 21, 2021

More concept art for mk2:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1417797739719528455

Zapper · Jul 21, 2021

Some fan made renders of MWF

Raptor · Jul 22, 2021

Zapper said:
Some fan made renders of MWF

View attachment 26357

View attachment 26358

View attachment 26359

View attachment 26360

Mk2 Rollout next year,right?

Gessler · Jul 22, 2021

NLCA NP-1

Pic credit: Sławek hesja Krajniewski @ hesja.pl

LegioXLupus · Jul 22, 2021

From what I read, the Tejas seems like a potent jet and is going in the right direction. A few questions for Indian members. Is there any work being done on indigenous jet engines? How many will be produced? my understanding this jet is 4th gen and will be taken up to 4.5, is there any work on a 5th gen jet? sorry if this was answered already.

kaykay · Jul 22, 2021

LegioXLupus said:
From what I read, the Tejas seems like a potent jet and is going in the right direction. A few questions for Indian members. Is there any work being done on indigenous jet engines? How many will be produced? my understanding this jet is 4th gen and will be taken up to 4.5, is there any work on a 5th gen jet? sorry if this was answered already.

Yes work on Indigenous engine is going on with the help of some foreign players but Its in initial stage. In past also we made Kaveri engines but It didn't quite worked out.
Tejas was intended to be a 4th gen aircraft only but Its AESA version can be said as 4+ generation for sure.
Yes our 5th gen aircraft project is very much on. Its called AMCA project...first model is expected soon.

Zapper · Jul 22, 2021

Raptor said:
Mk2 Rollout next year,right?

Metal cutting for initial prototypes were scheduled for this year but delayed due to the pandemic. While several sub-systems will be carried over from the LCA, there are others like advanced avionics, Uttam AESA and electronics suite specific to the MWF which have already been developed

I expect the first prototypes to roll out late 2022

LegioXLupus said:
Is there any work being done on indigenous jet engines?

The Kaveri GTX project was halted due to several issues. While it is a functioning engine, DRDO wasn't able to generate the required thrust. The project is being revived with some foreign assistance though

LegioXLupus said:
How many will be produced?

As of now, IAF will receive a total of 40 LCA Mk-1 and 83 Mk-1A...some Mk-1s have already been delivered and all will be using GE-404 engine

India will soon be signing a $700mn deal with the US for 100 GE-404 engines

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ne-deal-with-us-soon/articleshow/84386512.cms

LegioXLupus said:
my understanding this jet is 4th gen and will be taken up to 4.5, is there any work on a 5th gen jet?

While there is no clear definition on what qualifies to be a gen-4 vs 4.5 fighter jet, the LCA Mk-1A could be considered 4.5gen given it's AESA radar, advanced avionics and e-suite, stealth coatings, BVR capabilities etc

The MWF is essentially the same as LCA Mk-1A albeit larger in size (comparable to F-16) with enhanced range and capabilities, more weapons hardpoints etc and will be equipped with the GE-414 engine

Scaled version of MWF (LCA Mk-2)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1356224464116011009

Another 4.5gen jet in development for IN is the TEDBF (Twin engine deck based fighter) which will also be equipped with GE-414 engines and is comparable to the Rafale-M.

Scaled version of TEDBF exhibited at Aero India 2021

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1356135867732033540

Here is our 5th gen AMCA...a mid sized fighter jet comparable to F-35's size. The initial batch will also use GE-414 until an indigenous engine takes shape

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1356508422666125313

Raptor · Jul 22, 2021

Zapper said:
Metal cutting for initial prototypes were scheduled for this year but delayed due to the pandemic. While several sub-systems will be carried over from the MWF, there are others like advanced avionics, Uttam AESA and electronics suite which have already been developed

I expect the first prototypes to roll out late 2022

The Kaveri GTX project was halted due to several issues. While it is a functioning engine, DRDO wasn't able to generate the required thrust. The project is being revived with some foreign assistance though

As of now, IAF will receive a total of 40 LCA Mk-1 and 83 Mk-1A...some Mk-1s have already been delivered and all will be using GE-404 engine

India will soon be signing a $700mn deal with the US for 100 GE-404 engines

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ne-deal-with-us-soon/articleshow/84386512.cms

While there is no clear definition on what qualifies to be a gen-4 vs 4.5 fighter jet, the LCA Mk-1A could be considered 4.5gen given it's AESA radar, advanced avionics and e-suite, stealth coatings, BVR capabilities etc

The MWF is essentially the same as LCA Mk-1A albeit larger in size (comparable to F-16) with enhanced range and capabilities, more weapons hardpoints etc and will be equipped with the GE-414 engine

Scaled version of MWF (LCA Mk-2)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1356224464116011009

Another 4.5gen jet in development for IN is the TEDBF (Twin engine deck based fighter) which will also be equipped with GE-414 engines and is comparable to the Rafale-M.

Scaled version of TEDBF exhibited at Aero India 2021

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1356135867732033540

Here is our 5th gen AMCA...a mid sized fighter jet comparable to F-35's size. The initial bath will also use GE-414 until an indigenous engine takes shape

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1356508422666125313

There have been some design changes with this being wing tunnel testing model by NAL.

Zapper · Jul 22, 2021

Raptor said:
There have been some design changes with this being wing tunnel testing model by NAL. View attachment 26415

Is that Mk-1A since MWF was supposed to have frontal canards

Raptor · Jul 22, 2021

Zapper said:
Is that Mk-1A since MWF was supposed to have frontal canards

That's tejas mk2 aka Mwf

Zapper · Jul 22, 2021

Raptor said:
That's tejas mk2 aka Mwf

Never knew NAL was involved with MWF...interesting that frontal canards have been removed since that was the primary focus on MWF's design evolution from the LCA

Raptor · Jul 22, 2021

Zapper said:
Is that Mk-1A since MWF was supposed to have frontal canards

Where is it removed?

Zapper · Jul 22, 2021

Raptor said:
Where is it removed?

My bad...the canards kinda blended with the shiny metal structure. Found em when i looked more keenly

Nilgiri · Jul 22, 2021

LegioXLupus said:
From what I read, the Tejas seems like a potent jet and is going in the right direction. A few questions for Indian members. Is there any work being done on indigenous jet engines? How many will be produced? my understanding this jet is 4th gen and will be taken up to 4.5, is there any work on a 5th gen jet? sorry if this was answered already.

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