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| LCA's Naval version set for launch |
| BS Reporter / Chennai/ Bangalore Jun 25, 2010, 00:00 IST |
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The first Naval prototype (NP1) of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is set for launch on July 6 this year.
The Naval version of the LCA (Navy) capable of operation from an aircraft carrier, is touted as the only carrier borne aircraft in the light category, which can be deployed in various operational role equipment like the beyond visual range (BVR) missile, anti shipping missiles, conventional bombs, air defence guns and drop tanks.
According to a statement from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma would be the Chief Guest at the function to mark the ‘Roll-Out’ of LCA, post which the aircraft will be ready to undergo various system integration tests including ground runs, taxi trial and flight.
“The event ‘Roll-Out’ is a significant milestone when the aircraft is brought out of the HAL’s Aircraft Research and Development Centre (ARDC) design hangar (where the aircraft is actually assembled part by part), and is now ready to undergo the phase of systems integration tests leading to ground runs, taxi trials and flight,” it said.
The LCA (Navy) is the first indigenous effort to build a complete ‘air element’ for the Indian Navy. The aircraft would be flying with the GE-F-404-IN20 engine, and is specifically designed for ski jump take off and arrested landing, with high landing loads compared to its Air Force counterpart.
“The main aim of LCA (Navy) NP1 and its Fighter counterpart (NP2) is to prove itself with its technologies incorporated as a formidable platform to be a suitable replacement to the ageing fleet of Sea Harriers at a later date in a derivative MK2 configuration with a higher thrust engine and optimised mass”, the statement said.
This aircraft, with considerable technology and punch for years to come, is being designed to operate from the future indigenous aircraft carriers the Navy plans to acquire.
In 2003, the government accorded the formal sanction to start the Naval version of the LCA, which aim at replacing the MiG series of aircraft currently operated by the IAF.
The first stage of development includes design and fabrication of one Trainer and one Fighter, NP1 and NP2 respectively, along with a shore based test facility (SBTF) at Goa, to simulate carrier take off and arrested landing.
A complete airframe called Structural Test Specimen required for structural testing is also being tested as part of the programme.
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