LCA completes test flights

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JUNE 2. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the world's smallest light-weight supersonic fighter, today crossed a milestone with the 12th and last flight of its Technology Demonstrator 1 (TD1) version. The test ended the LCA's first block of flights much ahead of schedule, reducing the first phase time by almost a quarter and clearing the way for the TD2 version, expected to be ready by August 15.

The test plan, which kicked off with the TD1's maiden flight on January 4, has been completed with only 12 flights, less than the 15 originally planned. ``Including the flight at the Aero India, all the 12 flights were completed with flawless precision without any incident whatsoever,'' the LCA Project Director, Dr. Kota Harinarayana, told presspersons here.

The tests covered landings with and without use of the brake parachute, gentle manoeuvres up to 2.5 g, left and right rolls Handling Qualities (HQ) tests, climb up to 8 km, formation flights, tower fly by test, PID manoeuvres, neutral point estimation, air data calibration and a host of system-related tests. ``The LCA TD1 behaved extremely well and all test objectives were fully met. Both pilots were very pleased with the HQ of the aircraft,'' he said.

While the first six flights were piloted by Wg.Cdr. Rajiv Kothiyal, the next six flights were flown by Wg.Cdr. Raghunath Nambiar. The latter, who has been flying the Mirage 2000, was convinced that the LCA's takeoff and landing were better.

Nine of the flights had landings with brake parachute, while three were without it. Achieving a maximum height of 8 km, the aircraft clocked a top speed of 610 kmph/0.71m. The angle of attack was at 18 degrees.

The project director, Flight Testing, Air Marshal P. Rajkumar, attributed the time-frame reduction of the TD1 block of flights to the Global Positioning System (GPS). ``We started using the GPS as a very accurate measuring system. Besides, the adoption of the modern flight test technique, Model Validation, also led to the reduction in time.''

Mr. Harinarayana said the years spent on perfecting the software, the avionics, and the air frame in toto had finally started yielding results. ``We should be able to complete our task in about 30 per cent less time than planned, as per the present indications.''

Technology Demonstrator 2

The TD2 version of the LCA was likely to fly before August 15, said Air Marshal Rajkumar. Since the TD2 would be a brand new aircraft, it would have to undergo all the preliminary tests as the TD1. ``The TD2 will fly four to five times with the existing software. Thereafter, the flight envelope would be enlarged.'' Both the TD1 and TD2 will be involved in the next block of flights.

Dr. Harinarayana said the TD3 version was likely to fly out in mid-2003. This version would be equipped with the indigenous Kaveri engine, now being put in the test-bed. The basic operational clearance of the aircraft was likely to be sought by 2006.

He said that China was closely following the LCA development programme. ``It has even published a report summarising all reports related to the LCA. Pakistan should also be watching.'' On the economics of the project, Dr. Harinarayana said a recent estimate had put the aircraft cost at about $ 17 millions. The target was to bring it down to $ 15 millions. The F-22 aircraft cost about $ 125 millions and the Rafael about $ 65 millions. The Mirage 2000 is priced at $ 35 millions.

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