The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sends further Queries on LCA-Navy LIFT

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has cleared some of the queries that were raised by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) after it send a proposal against the Request for Information (RFI) for a jet trainer to replace its Boeing T-45 Goshawk that was issued by NAVAIR. HAL had offered its Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LIFT) variant of the LCA-Navy to USN. Technical queries were raised by NAVAIR was replied to and now HAL waits for further communications from the USN said the Program Director of the LCA-Navy Mk1. The USN is said to be still evaluating the offer for procurement of 45 aircraft for a Carrier “touch and go” based Trainer aircraft that could be used to train a new generation of Pilots for operations from the aircraft carrier to fly F-18 E/F and F-35B/C fighter jets from many interested vendors that have responded to its RFI issued few months back . Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer developed for the United States Air Force is being altered by Boeing to meet the Navy’s requirement and is a Prime candidate to fulfill the requirements of the US Navy’s for that Boeing plans to develop much stronger landing gear and other structures soon. LCA-Navy Mk1 LIFT can land and take off from an aircraft carrier and 18 take-offs and landing have been demonstrated but this is not what USN is looking out for, since It wants an aircraft trainer that can perform “touch and go” on a flight deck, but doesn’t have to make an arrested landing. India is developing a Production standard NP-5 Trainer aircraft for the Indian Navy, based on the LCA-Navy Mk1 that could be used as a baseline to further develop a LIFT based Trainer aircraft to be used for the training pilots in the Indian Navy that in future will sit above HAWK 132 AJTs that are primarily used for training Pilots. NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes.