Tejas Navy Production ready trainer prototype NP5 carries out first flight
After developing two prototypes, a two seat NP1 and a single seat NP2 based on Tejas Mk1, ADA /HAL Carried out carrier suitability certification and weapons integration. The naval LCA has stronger landing gear to absorb the forces generated during carrier take off and arrested recovery. In December 2014, the LCA Navy successfully made its first ski-jump assisted take off at INS Hansa. The navy variant has a distinctive flight control law mode which allows hands-free take-off.
Even though this version was not suitable for Carrier operations, the technologies developed for the Tejas programme was carried over to other platforms being developed by the ADA and so test flying was continued.
As of December 2019, the Naval LCA programme completed 209 test flights of these 50 were ski jump take-offs at INS Hansa. In January 2020, the naval prototype NP-2 successfully carried out its first arrested landing and Ski Jump assisted take-off from the aircraft-carrier INS Vikramaditya and thereafter 17 more. In February 2023, the naval prototype completed 10 landings and take-off from the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Now the maiden flight of the Naval Trainer Prototype ‘NP5’ has been successfully conducted on 18 Aug. This flight was conducted from HAL airport, and the aircraft was captained by Capt Amit Kawade (IN) with Wing Cdr Siddarth Singh (Retd) in the rear cockpit, ADA said in a release. The aircraft took off at 14:20 hrs and was airborne for 57 minutes with all parameters normal, it said.
Addition of NP5 aircraft to TEJAS-Naval prototype fleet will help to accelerate flight testing activities which will provide designers vital inputs towards design and development of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF).
The new prototype NP5 will soon undertake carrier operations from both INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. ADA said that all improvements identified during exploitation of NP1 and NP2 will be incorporated in this production ready aircraft. It will also incorporate the production standard airframe and rainwater compliance, maintainability improvements as well as futuristic system advancement.
During an interaction, Capt Amit Kawade expressed that the handling qualities were extremely satisfactory and all test points envisaged have been successfully completed.
The Director General-ADA, while congratulating the team, said that today’s flight of NP5 is a culmination of combined efforts of ADA, HAL, CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification), DGAQA (Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance) and several other Government and Private industries.
Presently Indian Navy is awaiting for a potent Carrier suitable combat jet for INS Vikrant, most probably French naval Rafale. However the earliest they can start coming in will be end 2027.
Meanwhile NP5 based Tejas Navy can serve as an effective training platform for Indian Navy pilots for operations from the aircraft carriers. It can help train pilots and ground crew for carrier operations, ensuring a seamless transition to more advanced platforms.
TEJAS-Navy is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as fly-by-wire flight control system, glass cockpit and advanced mechanical systems.
The aircraft can be operated seamlessly both during the day and night. It features advanced hands-free ski jump take-off and landing flight control modes. TEJAS-Navy can operate with Air-to-Air weapons for combat missions.
NLCA NP5’s Maiden Flight
The Indian Navy currently operates 28 MiG-29K fighters and 8 MiG 29 trainers from INS Vikramaditya / Shore bases and may soon start operating from INS Vikrant too. However, the timeline for full retirement of this fleet is 2035. Where in induction of Rafale cannot start before end 2027 and indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is projected around 2032, creating a transitional period.
So the best solution seems to be MoD giving immediate clearance for production of 8x trainer version of this NP5 variant and 16x Combat version. They will start induction by 2026 and will prove to be a potent force for Fleet / base air defence role, freeing the Rafale and MiG 29 for offensive strike roles. Improved versions of this Tejas Navy can even be in complementary role to the TEDB combat jets.
