Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk2

Q. Why is this in News?

A. 

According to a senior official from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 will be integrated with heavy standoff weapons like SCALP, an air-to-ground, long-range deep strike missile.

• Unlike other aircraft, the LCA Mk2 will be able to integrate unique weapons from various countries.

Q. What is LCA Tejas Mk2?

A .

• The Indigenous LCATejas Mk2 is a fighter aircraft developed in India that can carry eight Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) missiles simultaneously, along with integrating all native weapons and advanced weapons from other countries.
• The LCA Mk2 is an upgraded version of the LCA Tejas Mk1, which has improved range and mission endurance.
  • The mission endurance for fighting a war was 57 minutes for LCA Tejas Mk1, but it is 120 minutes for LCA Tejas Mk2.
• The LCA Mk2 will be pitched as a replacement for the Jaguars, MiG-29s, and Mirage 2000s when they start retiring in a decade.
  • The critical design review of the aircraft is ready and the manufacturing initiated, and the aircraft should be rolled out by 2024.
  • LCA Mk2 will have a weapon carrying capacity of 6.5 tonnes. The General Electric GE-414 engine will power the LCA Mk2.

Q. What is Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)?

A .

• About:
  • The LCA programme was started by the Government of India in 1984 when they established the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to manage the LCA programme.
• Features:
  • Designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided, weapons.
  • Air to air refueling capability.
• Other Variants of Tejas:
  • Tejas Trainer: 2-seater operational conversion trainer for training air force pilots.
  • LCA Navy: Twin- and single-seat carrier-capable for the Indian Navy.