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LCA will be star attraction at air show

The Light Combat Aircraft, the prototype jet fighter built indigenously by Indian defence organisations, will be the star attraction at Aero India 2001, a five-day air show that will take off Wednesday from the Indian Air Force station at Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bangalore.

After its test flight last month, followed by two more sorties, the LCA will fly past the Air Force station at the inaugural ceremony, and will be on display later for public viewing during the aero show.

It will be piloted by Wing Commander Rajiv Katiyal, who flew the test flight.

LCA project director Dr Kota Harinarayana of the Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency told rediff.com that the jet fighter would take off from HAL airport on the other side of the city and fly over the venue to demonstrate India's capabilities in the aviation sector.

It will be a technology demonstrator flight, to be witnessed by 35 international delegations, including aviation experts and engineers.

"During three test flights last month, around 85 per cent of the envelope has been covered, notching a speed of 565-570 km and an altitude of 4-4.5 km. The data recorded so far on all its parametres testify that the test flights went off in conformity with the models and the performance is excellent."

Harinarayana also disclosed that two more prototypes that were being assembled would be test flown within a year. "The second one has already been integrated and the third is being equipped. The supersonic jet is expected to cross the sound barrier after 40-50 test flights," he added.

To be inaugurated by Union Defence Minister George Fernandes, the third edition of the exhibition-cum-air show will also witness a flying and static display of the British Hawk, the Advance Jet Trainer aircraft, short-listed by the defence ministry for induction into the IAF for training pilots.

"The committee, set up to finalise the Hawk deal, is carrying out price negotiations, which have considerably been narrowed down. A final decision on the purchase of 66 AJTs is expected by next month," defence secretary for production and supplies Subir Dutta confirmed on Tuesday.

Dutta, however, parried questions on details of the Hawk deal, saying they could be addressed to the defence minister, scheduled to meet the press on Wednesday afternoon.

A British aviation delegation, led by UK minister of state for defence procurement Baroness Symons is in the city for the aero show, along with a team from the Society of British Aerospace Companies.

Symons expressed confidence that the deal would be clinched soon. She will also discuss the deal with Fernandes.

Besides the Hawk, the British Royal Air Force will fly two Tornado combat aircraft for demonstrating low-flying capabilities.

To be flown by RAF Wg Cdr David Hye, the thundering Tornado with its earth-shattering sound is known for ground attacks.

Equipped with terrain following radar, it can fly as low as 200 feet above ground level in darkness. They were in action during the Gulf war in the early nineties.

The latest version of the MiG-29K fighter aircraft, which the IAF has short-listed for acquisition, will be another Russian jet that will demonstrate its prowess at the show.

The Sukhoi, the latest pride of the IAF which recently inducted it into its fleet, will be another star at the fair, as it was also the most sought-after fighter aircraft during the last aero show in December 1998.

To be flown by Russian-based Sukhoi Design Bureau ace pilot V I Ayerynov, the awesome Su-30 and its latest version Sukhoi 30MK will display aerobatic maneuvers, including their Cobra and Flat Turn exercises consisting of vertical take-off and dropping dead mid-air, with its cockpit being tilted in the form of a snake's hood.

Organised by the Department of Defence Production and Supplies, in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the IAF and Department of Civil Aviation, Aero India will showcase developments in the Indian and international aviation sector.

According to Dutta, over 170 companies from 17 countries will participate in the exhibition, to display a wide spectrum of products, encompassing basic aircraft material, systems manufacture, systems integration, besides major civil and military engine and aircraft integration.

Among the 35 delegations from various countries, including the UK, the US, France, Russia, Italy, Germany, Israel and Romania, eight defence ministers and 12 chiefs of air staff will represent their countries.

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