Features of LCA Mk2

• The aircraft features enhanced range and endurance including an onboard oxygen generation system, which is being integrated for the first time.
• Heavy weapons of the class of Scalp, Crystal Maze and Spice-2000 will also be integrated on the Mk2.
• The LCA-Mk2 will be a heavier and much more capable aircraft than the current LCA variants.
• The Mk2 is 1,350 mm longer featuring canards and can carry a payload of 6,500 kg compared to 3,500 kg the LCA can carry.
• The Mk2 will be powered by a more powerful GE-414 engine.

About LCA- Tejas       

• Tejas is India’s first light fighter aircraft designed and manufactured in the country. It’s a single-seat, single-engine supersonic multirole light fighter aircraft.
• Its configuration is largely geared on mobility and agility.
• It was designed to replace the Mig 21 fighter jets, which were getting old.
  • The Aeronautical Development Agency, which is part of the Department of Defence Research and Development, designed it. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a government-owned company, produced the plane .
• To make handling easier, the plane has a computerised fly-by-wire flight control system. This allows the pilot to focus on other tasks (especially mission-critical tasks) without having to worry about the plane deviating from its flying route.
• It can travel at a top speed of Mach 1.8
  • Mach is used as a unit of measurement in stating the speed of a moving object in relation to the speed of sound.
• The aircraft has a range of 3,000 kilometres.
• In its class, it is the lightest, smallest, multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft.
• Designed to carry a variety of precision-guided air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry.
• Capability for air-to-air refuelling.

Why in News:        

• DRDO targets 2027 to complete development and flight testing of LCA-Mk2

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-research-and-development-organisation-targets-2027-to-complete-development-and-flight-testing-of-lca-mk2/article65845106.ece