The LCA fired a Russian R-73 air-to-air missile during a technology demonstrator flight. It was the most significant milestone for the 'Tejas' programme.
The historic flight was done on Tejas prototype vehicle PV-1, piloted by the Chief Test Pilot of the National Flight Test Centre ADA, Gp Capt N Harish. The test-firing was done at 7 km altitude and 0.6 Mach.
The flight test was conducted from the mobile telemetry vehicle where all the aircraft, systems and weapon data were closely monitored.
Quick analysis of the data revealed that it was a ‘text book’ launch where the systems performance matched the predictions well.
The historic event marks the beginning of weaponisation, which is the focus of the current initial operational clearance (IOC) phase of the programme, he said.
A Defence Ministry official said the much-delayed indigenous fighter is now almost ready for flight certification. The initial operational configuration for the fighter is expected between 2011-12 and the aircraft will be fully operational by 2013.
Air-to-air missile integration and testing, especially on a fly-by-wire aircraft, is a very complex task involving interfaces with aerodynamics, engine air intake, control laws, flight control system, avionics system, electrical and other general system of aircraft.
The Indian Air Force has already placed orders for 20 LCAs with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with a provision for buying another 20 in the same contract.
Tejas successfully test-fires R-73 air-to-air miss
Thursday, 25 October , 2007, 22:39
New Delhi: In a major breakthrough, India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas, on Thursday successfully test-fired for the first time a close combat air-to-air missile off the Goa coast.
The LCA fired a Russian R-73 air-to-air missile during a technology demonstrator flight off the Goa coast.
Hailing it as a "milestone", a Defence Ministry spokesman said this heralds the start of the weaponisation of Tejas.
The much-delayed indigenous fighter is now almost ready for flight certification, officials said.
The initial operational configuration for the fighter is expected between 2011-12 and the aircraft will be fully operational by 2013.
The Indian Air Force has already placed orders for 20 LCAs with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with a provision for buying another 20 in the same contract.
New Delhi: In a major breakthrough, India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas, on Thursday successfully test-fired for the first time a close combat air-to-air missile off the Goa coast.
The LCA fired a Russian R-73 air-to-air missile during a technology demonstrator flight off the Goa coast.
Hailing it as a "milestone", a Defence Ministry spokesman said this heralds the start of the weaponisation of Tejas.
The much-delayed indigenous fighter is now almost ready for flight certification, officials said.
The initial operational configuration for the fighter is expected between 2011-12 and the aircraft will be fully operational by 2013.
The Indian Air Force has already placed orders for 20 LCAs with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with a provision for buying another 20 in the same contract.
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