Naval version of light combat aircraft rolls out a defining and memorable occasion: Antony

BANGALORE - Defence Minister A K Antony rolled out the country’s first Naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft, the LCA (Navy) Trainer Naval Project (NP) here on Tuesday and described the development as a ‘defining and memorable event’ for the nation.

He said the prophets of doom have been silenced by a series of major breakthroughs of DRDO-led projects in recent times.

Congratulating the stakeholders in the development of the first indigenously developed carrier-bone Naval Trainer Aircraft, Antony said the prophets of doom have been silenced by a series of major breakthroughs of DRDO-led projects in recent times. The Defence Minister gave the examples of MBT Arjun, LCA and Akash missiles, which are now being adopted by the Forces.

“The goal of self-reliance can be achieved by developing synergy among the scientists, the Forces and the public and private sectors,” said Antony.

Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, Secretary Defence Production RK Singh, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister Dr. VK Saraswat, HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak and Director Aeronautical Development Agency PS Subramanyam also were present on the occasion.

The primary role of the LCA (Navy), which will form the air element of the Indian Navy will be that of air defence and will provide a formidable platform with a higher thrust engine and an optimised mass for suitable replacement to the ageing Sea Harriers at a later date.

The only carrier-bone aircraft in the light category in the world, it will be operating with a wide variety of operational weapons and equipment like the Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, Anti-Ship missiles, Conventional bombs, Air Defence guns, CCMs and drop tanks.

The NP1 is now ready to undergo the phase of systems integration tests leading to ground runs, taxi trials and flight. The first flight of the NP1 would happen by the end of this year.

The aircraft would be flying with GE-F-404-IN 20 engine and is specifically designed for ski-jump take off and arrested recovery, with high-landing loads compared to its Air Force counterpart.

The Government accorded the formal sanction for the Naval programme in 2003.he 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 and tested as part of the Programme. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bangalore has been responsible for the design, development, and building of the Naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft with HAL being its Principal Partner.

The technical features of the Aircraft are as follows:

1. The LCA will operate from an Aircraft Carrier with a concept of Ski-jump Take off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR). Aircraft gets airborne over a ski jump in about 200 m and lands 90 m using an arrester hook engaging an arrester wire on the ship.

2. Flight Control system is augmented with Leading Edge Vortex Controller (LEVCON) aiding reduction in approach speed for Carrier Landing.

3. Derived from the Air Force version it is a longitudinally unstable fly-by-wire aircraft, making it an agile war machine.

4. Auto throttle function reduces pilot load by maintaining constant angle of attack during the critical phase of a flare-less carrier landing.

5. Fuel Dump System enables safe landing by reducing weight in event of an emergency landing immediately after launch from Carrier. (ANI)