Or the ordinary Mig 21s it is going to replace. Order 150+ LCA now and then upgrade it to MK2 in a phased manner. :diablo:

if it was only related to Avionics and radar it was not a problem but Mk1 to Mk2 upgrade is structurally difficult.because of two different engines which it will power and also host of other features

Tejas MK-1 which was designed with IAF’s Orginal ASR which was replacing Mig-21 a point defence fighter ,after so many sucessful test flights IAF was impressed with the aircraft and also understood that with few changes and new recommendation in 2004 the aircraft will be able to perform Multi-role operations as well so the development of Tejas MK-II has started .IAF just wanted to make clear that they are more interested in Tejas MK-II then Tejas MK-1 and will be inducting 100 MK-II and 40 MK-1,even Defence mininster said recently that more then 140 aircrafts will be manufactured ,Shutting down of the project and lot of blah blah just from old Tejas friends

IAF to order 140 aircraft [Hindustan Times, New Delhi]OCT 2008

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is finally off the ventilator. Virtually written off by the Indian Air Force as an incapable fighter, the LCA, christened Tejas, got an unexpected fresh lease of life on Saturday with Defence Minister AK Antony asserting that India would field at least 140 aircraft (seven squadrons) over the next decade. The LCA project was sanctioned a quarter of a century ago as a replacement for the IAF’s ageing MiG fighters.

Speaking to reporters at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Antony, who completed two years as defence minister on Saturday, said, “When I took over, naysayers said the project was doomed. But we have turned the corner. Tejas is expected to get final clearance by 2010-end. It will the IAF’s prized possession.”

The decision hardly comes as a surprise considering that the government has already injected over Rs 5,500 crore into the development of technology demonstrators, prototype vehicles and around eight pre-production aircraft. Interestingly, LCA was conceived as a project worth Rs 560 crore in 1982.

But one dilemma remains: the first LCA squadron will come with underpowered American GE-404 engines that restrict the aircraft’s ability to carry optimal weapons payload. The second will be have an upgraded version of the same.

Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said, “Subsequent squadrons will be fitted with a more powerful engine.” Ultimately, the HAL may have to opt for engines such as General Electric’s F414 or Eurojet EJ 200, which can generate the required thrust of about 95-100 kilo Newton. The GE-404 engines generate a thrust of just around 80-85 kilo Newton.

But there’s a catch here. Fitting these heavier engines will require drastic design changes in the LCA airframe, which could take up to four years.

link

Author is missing something More then 80 Lca as been ordered from the first batch it self and more then 60 GE engines are already delivered to India and the delivery will start from 2011 and by the time MK2 is ready by 2013 and will enter production by 2015 , i donot understand what Ravi sharma is trying to say ,he seems to be confused lot this day there is no official word nor there has been any similar article from any other newspaper,it seems it was his own source and work.

I think any displays which use CRT will be replaced by LCD systems. The difference in weight can be guaged from the difference in the weights of a home TV set that uses CRT and an LCD or plasma TV set.

i think from LSP we have put lcd systems in place ,and crt was only used in TD and some earlier PV(1&2)

Kaveri in LCA by 2009

Kaveri engine will be installed into the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas by the end of 2009, said Director of Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) Director, T Mohan Rao.

Briefing newspersons on the sidelines of a function organised to mark the Raising Day function of GTRE at its premises at C V Raman Nagar, Rao said, “Two more milestones are yet to be crossed by the engine, prior to its installation which is likely to be by Dec 2009.” It has cleared all the tests for airworthy certification, he said. The engine is yet to be tried under fully simulated altitude conditions, which will take place in Moscow between February and March, next year. India’s consultants in the venture are CIAM of Russia, MTU of Germany and ATC in UK, he added.

http://www.idrw.org/2008/11/07/kaveri_in_lca_by_2009.html

France clears defence firms to undertake TOT with India

France has cleared its aerospace and defence companies to go ahead to undertake complete transfer of technology (TOT) of strategic systems for the $10 billion Indian contract for acquisition of 126 multi-role combat aircraft.

Key technologies that can be transfered include AESA radars, stealth composites and advanced missiles network enabled technologies.

“The French government has given us all clearance for technology transfer of all key systems,” said JPHP Chabriol, senior vice president, D’assault Aviation, the manufacturers of French fighters Rafael — one of the prominent contestants for the Indian contract — as his new fighter Rafael prepares for the test in Indian conditions in mid-June next year.

France’s approval comes even as the US companies may have to seek the State administration and Congressional clearances before parting with the technologies like AESA radar, which ironically has been pioneered by the US defence majors.

According to the field trial schedule sent to the bidding companies, the contending fighters are to undergo resistance to humidity trials in south Indian city of Bangalore, tests for heat and dust in Thar desert in Jodhpur and cold trials in snowy wilderness of Ladakh.

Major French aerospace companies D’assault, Thales and Snecma have joined hands to float Rafael International to popularise the French fighter worldwide. While D’assault will hold 60 per cent stake in the new company, Thales which provides 90 per cent avionics for the fighter and its engine maker Snecma will hold 20 per cent each.

“Rafael makes sense for the IAF after Mirages,” Chebriol said expressing his company’s determination to stay in the Indian market.

http://www.idrw.org/2008/11/05/france_clears_defence_firms_to_undertake_tot_with_india.html

How do they keep that in mind:diablo:

On a serious not, I think you have no idea what you are talking.

Please, drop the pretense of know-all smarty.

As per original plans two TD Tejas were built upon Ge engines while Kaveri was expected to be ready by 2000 so when the Pv-1 was under construction Kaveri engine was kept in mind but since kaveri was not ready it was flown with Ge engines even still now only PV-1 wil be able to integrate a kaveri

may be you require some serious crash course on Tejas development :D:D or you can check out my site http://www.lca-tejas.org following Tejas project from 1996

Looks like it.

But I do have reservation in these postures of DRDO, having grown up with claims like LCA will be inducted in 1994 with IAF.:confused:

i can only say lack of vision by the mgmt of ada to even make such ridiculous claims at first place ,Even many in mgmt had 2000 as possible date for first flights