more details on LSP-4’s first flight. BTW, this isn’t the first time that they’re heading to Nagpur for the Hot Weather trials of the Tejas..earlier it was PV-3 that went there. Right now it must be piping hot out there in the day, easily 43-45 deg C in the shade..they better head there before monsoon rains come in.
One more thing I’ve noticed is that it seems that they’re grooming AVM Barbora for the top job in the IAF..he’s the official that attended the LCH’s first official flight as well..a very outspoken man who doesn’t balk from speaking his mind.
By Anantha Krishnan M.
Bengaluru
The fourth limited series production (LSP-4) platform of India’s light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas had its successful first flight at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s military airport in Bangalore on June 2.
The flight, piloted by Group Capt. Suneet Krishna of the National Flight Test Center (NFTC), lasted 40 minutes.[b] The pilot went supersonic and later covered the full flight envelope, exhibiting confidence in the system.[b]
Similar to the April 23 first flight of LSP-3, the LSP-4 also carried the Elta multi-mode radar (MMR) onboard. The LSP-4 aircraft is the 10th test vehicle to join the flight line. Tejas is slated to receive initial operational clearance (IOC) by December, paving way for its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Vice Chief of IAF Air Marshal P.K. Barbora told AVIATION WEEK that the first flight of LSP-4 is “one step forward” in the project.
“As you move along in a program, you will overcome problems quickly. Now the LSP-5, 6 and 7 will come,” he said. “It’s a proud moment and we are also keenly awaiting the arrival of LCA Mk-II in the years to come, which will be an advanced platform.”
Program Director (Combat Aircraft) and Director, Aeronautics Development Agency (ADA) P.S. Subramanyam told AVIATION WEEK that the project is moving toward IOC.
“The LSP-4 is equipped fully to the standards of IOC. We are left with a few more flight tests and then Tejas would reach the much-awaited target. The Tejas team will now head for hot weather trials (HWT),” Subramanyam said. The HWT is likely to be held at Nagpur.
On Wednesday, the pilot flew the aircraft to an altitude of 11 km. and went supersonic, reaching 1.1 Mach with Test Director Group Capt. D. Chakravorty guiding him from the NFTC telemetry facility. For the first time, Tejas flew in the configuration that will be ultimately delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Group Capt. Suneet flew the LCA prototype vehicle (PV-1) in 2003.
HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak told AVIATION WEEK that the successful flights of LSP-3 and LSP-4 in quick succession are an indication of the accelerated pace at which the program is now being run.
“More aircraft will join the fleet now and the next aircraft (LSP-5) will have all systems of LSP 3 and 4, making it much more advanced. We are on track,” Nayak said.
In addition to the MMR, the LSP-4 had [an] onboard radar warning receiver, [an] electronic countermeasure system (ECM), [and] new avionics software.
“Tejas-LSP-4 is the final configuration of [the] IAF version. Now all the hardware items have come onboard and there won’t be anymore additional systems, barring some software changes,” an ADA source said. “All objectives have been met and all systems worked as per the design. IAF pilots from [the] operational front would soon fly LCA.”
IAF sources said the LCA program’s recent progress has been a huge boost to the force’s confidence in the wake of delays and cost overruns.
“We are all keen to see the Tejas induction. After having waited for so many years, investing so many man hours, review meetings and money, it’s but natural to become anxious. It’s heartening to see the platform is taking definite shape and heading in the right direction,” a senior-ranked IAF official with Air Headquarters said.
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