Naval LCA First Look

Finally sees the light of day. Seems it will be ready in time for the 2nd Indian Navy carrier coming off the line around 2015.

Link

Image
Courtesy: Livefist Blog


Could take the tag for the smallest Naval Aircraft, lest there are any A-4s in service somewhere?

Corny smoke n lights show at the first look


[edit on 10-7-2010 by Daedalus3]

Another interesting bit about something called LEVCONs (Leading edge vortex controllers) that one can see in the image in the prev post extending along the forward edge from the wing root

For the Naval LCA it is defined as follows:

LEVCON ( Leading Edge Vortex CONtroller ) is a deflectable aerodynamic device in wing apex region LEVCON surface is deflected +20 (down) to 30 (up) from its neutral position.Downward deflection of LEVCON is used for reducing aproach speed for carrier landing.


Source

Not sure if this is present on any existing other operational or soon-to-be operational fighters (incld the IAF version of the LCA) but something similar (or the very same thing?) is on the T-50 in the form of movable LERXs.

Source (Slide 36)

Similar intentions? Same design team?

Thoughts gentlemen..

Huh. Its like flaps for the wing-tip vortices. Kind of a cool idea in theory. I wonder how well it works in practice, and if the extra weight and complexity of the system is really worth the *probably* small decrease in stall speed in a dirty config ( as in landing on a a/c carrier).