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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 01 March, 2023

  • 5 Min Read

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk2 (LCA MK2)

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk2 (LCA MK2)

  • The Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 would incorporate heavy standoff weaponry like SCALP, an air-to-ground, long-range deep strike missile.
  • The LCA Mk2 will be able to incorporate unique armaments from many nations, unlike other aircraft.

About LCA Tejas Mk2:

  • An Indian fighter jet known as the Indigenous LCATejas Mk2 is capable of carrying eight Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) missiles at once in addition to incorporating both modern armaments from other nations.
  • The LCA Mk2, which has increased range and mission endurance, is an updated version of the LCA Tejas Mk1.
  • For fighting a war, the LCA Tejas Mk1 has a mission endurance of 57 minutes, whereas the LCA Tejas Mk2 has a mission endurance of 120 minutes.
  • When the Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000 start to become obsolete in ten years, the LCA Mk2 will be promoted as a successor.
  • By 2024, the aircraft should be in service after passing a crucial design review and starting production.
  • The LCA Mk2 will be able to carry 6.5 tonnes of weapons. The LCA Mk2 will be powered by a GE-414 engine from General Electric.

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – what are they?

  • In 1984, the Government of India established the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to oversee the LCA program, which marked the beginning of the LCA program.

Features:

  • Intended to carry a variety of precision-guided air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry.
  • Capability for air-to-air refuelling.

Additional Tejas variants:

  • Tejas Trainer: A two-seat operational conversion trainer used to train pilots for the air force.
  • LCA Navy: The Indian Navy is equipped with twin- and single-seat carriers.

Source: The Indian Express


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