LCA Tejas’ Naval Prototype With New LEVCON Flaps, Arrestor Hook Mods To Begin Final Shore Based Trials

A trainer naval variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-N) is about to undergo extensive trials at the Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) in Goa, reports Times of India.

This is said to be the final stage of its trials.

The twin-seater, naval prototype being developed by the Aeronautical Developmental Agency (ADA) flew two sorties in Bengaluru on 24 April. This prototype was equipped with new modifications with arrestor hook and the pilot controlled and LEVCON flaps that opens up to reduce the landing speed and maintain a landing distance of 200 metre.

To compliment the medium-weight fighter MiG-29K, LCA-N project started in 2003, two years after the first LCA prototype took the sky. The Naval Prototype 1 was rolled out in 2010.

Two years ago, Indian Navy expressed reservations over heavy weight and under power related issues with the LCA-N’s both Mark-1 and Mark-2 variants. It instead hinted that it would opt for a foreign fighter jet.

The navy, is expected to procure naval aircraft for its carriers at the cost of almost Rs 50,000 crore. It is likely to seek request for proposals(RFP) from the manufacturers of jets like F/A-18 and Rafale-M.