India’s indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is likely to win its Final Operational Clearance, following testing as part of an air exercise in February, 2013. The single-seat, single-engine supersonic fighter will be put to the test during the “Iron Feast” exercise to be held in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
“The Tejas will display its capabilities in the exercise, where its lethality, endurance and precision will be tested, and if the aircraft meets all parameters, its first squadron will be deployed in Bengaluru,” says Air Marshal Anjan Kumar Gogoi, chief of Southwestern Air Command.
Tejas ready for a Test Flight ( Image Courtesy - thebharatmilitaryreview.blogspot.com )
As of March, the LCA had undergone more than 1,800 test flights up to speeds of Mach 1.4, Initial Operational Clearance was achieved in January 2011. The Tejas is designed to carry air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided and standoff weaponry.
The Indian air force (IAF), which has ordered 40 Tejas Mark I, has begun to induct the LCA, according to a ministry official. Out of the 40 aircraft, 20 were ordered under the IOC standards, and remaining 20 under Final Operational Clearance standards. IAF plans to induct six LCA squadrons over the next 10 years, the official adds.
News Courtesy - aviationweek.com
You might be interested in http://darkwaves-taurgo.blogspot.in/
No comments:
Post a Comment