India offers trainer jet to United States
Naval India's LCA conducts tests on board aircraft carrier. |
Under India's first major launch of overseas arms sales, the nation offered a trainer jet to the United States.
The US Navy has begun a global search for a new trainer aircraft, the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS). India responded to that bid with the Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), according to The Economic Times.
The aircraft offered is based on the experience gained by Indian developers with the naval version of the LCA, which has successfully demonstrated that it can operate aboard aircraft carriers.
According to the report, India has submitted a detailed plan of the aircraft's design, including advanced avionics that allows the LIFT LCA to mimic nearly any type of fighter jet, from cockpit to performances.
"If they need the features of the Rafale, the pilot will feel like flying the Rafale," said Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) President R Madhavan.
The aircraft offered is based on the LCA MK1A ordered by the Indian Air Force.
The LCA meets all the basic parameters that the US Navy requested in its Request for Information (RFI). The US Navy is currently evaluating the offer. If the aircraft is selected, it is possible to manufacture a demonstrator on the Indian side, according to the report.
The jet's developers believe there is a good chance of being selected by the US Navy as such an aircraft does not currently exist on the market.
The US Navy has begun a global search for a new trainer aircraft, the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS). India responded to that bid with the Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), according to The Economic Times.
The aircraft offered is based on the experience gained by Indian developers with the naval version of the LCA, which has successfully demonstrated that it can operate aboard aircraft carriers.
According to the report, India has submitted a detailed plan of the aircraft's design, including advanced avionics that allows the LIFT LCA to mimic nearly any type of fighter jet, from cockpit to performances.
"If they need the features of the Rafale, the pilot will feel like flying the Rafale," said Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) President R Madhavan.
The aircraft offered is based on the LCA MK1A ordered by the Indian Air Force.
The LCA meets all the basic parameters that the US Navy requested in its Request for Information (RFI). The US Navy is currently evaluating the offer. If the aircraft is selected, it is possible to manufacture a demonstrator on the Indian side, according to the report.
The jet's developers believe there is a good chance of being selected by the US Navy as such an aircraft does not currently exist on the market.
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Written by Matteo Sanzani
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