LCA TEJAS MK-I & MK-IA: News and Discussion

[Neil (नील/Нил)]

In a test of UTTAM radar with around 900 TR-modules, It was able to track LCA Mk-1 at a range of 140kms.
If we consider LCA's RCS to be > 1 Sq meter, this is a very good detection range for such a small target!
Now imagine Virupaksha GaN radar on MKI with 2000+ TR modules!


That said, I am still not sure if the target LCA used in this test was in clean configuration or It was carrying some sort of external loads.
I think the RCS of LCA MK-1 in clean configuration is at least between 1 m² to 0.5 m². 0.5 m² seems to be a stretch, I would say take it to be around 1 m².
I mean it would make sense to use a small jet like Tejas, in clean configuration to gauge out the detection range of low RCS targets.
Feel free to believe what you want!

There are a lot of sources on the internet citing this incident where UTTAM was able to track Tejas from 140 kms, you can look it up yourself.

I had read this on DFI I think a year or two back so decided to post it on Twitter/X but it's on the internet too.

Spoiler: Source is my own Tweet.

View: https://x.com/TheMrFoxhound/status/1888937215004230080?t=u9qUofqESEAuZLc43bHDHA&s=19

 

[Bleh]

View: https://x.com/Ray70409890/status/1889588431140917727

 

[ArjunMK1A]

At this point the MRFA is dead as a dodo, obsolete and ill-conceived :

• No 5th generation offering in the foray
• Multiple redundancies in platforms (Tejas MK2-Gripen E/F, Rafale-ORCA/TEDBF)
• Delivery timelines (minimum of 36-48 months for first A/C)
• ToT concerns for modification (no access to source code or LRUs)

IAF will induct the Tejas MK1A > Tejas MK2 > AMCA kicking and screaming.

MRFA 2 is to save GOI ass from another chowkidar chor hai shouting by Rahul baba.

The game is rigged for Rafale again. MOD/IAF will have tug of war if they select an F-18 since now you need to add another animal to the IAF zoo.

Instead it should go for another G2G deal with 36 or 72 numbers. Via G2G over the period of time get the MRFA number and junk them.