JAISALMER: Tejas, India's indigenously built single-seat, single-engine, lightweight, high-agility supersonic fighter aircraft, is undergoing flight trials and firing tests at Pokhran, to prepare for operational clearance.
The ongoing trials at Chandan firing ranges of Jaisalmer are part of final operational trials (FOC). The trials will continue till the end of this month. Tejas is likely to be cleared for operational service in the latter part of 2012. It had completed more than 1,670 test flights up to a speed of Mach 1.4 till August 2011.
The design and development of LCA is being conducted by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the prime industrial contractor.
DRDO and HAL teams have already reached Jaisalmer to conduct the tests. Some of Tejas LCAs have also arrived at the Air Force Station there.
"Tejas LCAs have been contracted for induction into Indian Air Force (IAF).The cost of procuring the LCA is about Rs 8,861 crore. Their design and manufacture involves development of sophisticated technology skills. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is manufacturing this aircraft for IAF," said Col S D Goswami, defence spokesman.
"The LCA programme was launched for two primary purposes. The principal goal was the development of a replacement aircraft for the ageing MiG-21 fighter planes. IAF is using he MiG-21 planes since the 1970s. As per the Long Term Re-Equipment Plan, 1981, the MiG-21 planes will soon become non-functional and the IAF will fall short of 40% of the aircraft needed to meet the projected force structure requirements.
The Tejas is single-engine, multi-role fighter which is designed with "relaxed static stability" for better maneuverability. It can be armed with air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-ship missiles, precision-guided munitions, rockets and bombs. Drop tanks can also be carried.
The ongoing trials at Chandan firing ranges of Jaisalmer are part of final operational trials (FOC). The trials will continue till the end of this month. Tejas is likely to be cleared for operational service in the latter part of 2012. It had completed more than 1,670 test flights up to a speed of Mach 1.4 till August 2011.
The design and development of LCA is being conducted by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the prime industrial contractor.
DRDO and HAL teams have already reached Jaisalmer to conduct the tests. Some of Tejas LCAs have also arrived at the Air Force Station there.
"Tejas LCAs have been contracted for induction into Indian Air Force (IAF).The cost of procuring the LCA is about Rs 8,861 crore. Their design and manufacture involves development of sophisticated technology skills. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is manufacturing this aircraft for IAF," said Col S D Goswami, defence spokesman.
"The LCA programme was launched for two primary purposes. The principal goal was the development of a replacement aircraft for the ageing MiG-21 fighter planes. IAF is using he MiG-21 planes since the 1970s. As per the Long Term Re-Equipment Plan, 1981, the MiG-21 planes will soon become non-functional and the IAF will fall short of 40% of the aircraft needed to meet the projected force structure requirements.
The Tejas is single-engine, multi-role fighter which is designed with "relaxed static stability" for better maneuverability. It can be armed with air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-ship missiles, precision-guided munitions, rockets and bombs. Drop tanks can also be carried.
Source: The Times of India
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