Tejas LCA on way to Initial Operational Capability with first night flight

Bangalore: Leaving carping critics behind on the tarmac, India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) crossed yet another important milestone, when it undertook a night flight, meeting all test objectives. This is an important milestone for the LCA programme on its way to achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

In its first night flight, the Prototype Vehicle-3 (PV-3) Tejas fighter aircraft took off at 8:05 pm from Bangalore airport yesterday and carried out a set of predetermined manoeuvres to demonstrate its night capability, a DRDO release said.

The aircraft was piloted by Gp Capt N Tiwari of the National Flight Test Centre. Wg Cdr RK Dash as the Test Director along with several senior officers of the Tejas Programme were at the telemetry station monitoring the progress of the flight.

The flight met all its test objectives, the release said.

"The night qualification marks an important step towards achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC)," the release said, adding, "the flawless flight will pave the way for systems and weapon integration for delivery by night."

"The modifications for achieving night capability has been worked out by a team in Aeronautical Development Agency and supported by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd supported by IAF, CEMILAC and DGAQA," it was stated.