Tejas makes successful first flight with stores

Bangalore, Sep 7 (UNI) The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Prototype Vehicle (PV-1) achieved a significant milestone today when it made a successful first flight with two 800 Ltr drop tanks slung under its wings, taking it closer to operational clearance for induction into service.

According to a press release issued by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and DRDO, with the successful first flight attached with stores other than the Air-to-Air missiles, which are part of its operational clean configuration, the fly-by-wire multi-role supersonic advanced fighter achieved a breakthrough in moving towards operational clearance for its induction into IAF.

The flight also proved the functionalities of the on-board Stores Management System (SMS) as well as the Control Law (CLAW) of the Integrated Digital Fly-by-wire Control System in the 'Heavy stores' mode.

Tejas PV1 was flown by the National Flight Test Centre Test Pilot Wg Cdr N Tiwari and the Test Director for flight was Wg Cdr M Prabhu. A Jaguar trainer aircraft of ASTE Air Force flown by Wg Cdr RR Tyagi and Sqn Ldr Sangwan was used as chase for this landmark flight.

The flight lasted for about 45 minutes during which the mobile telemetry developed by the National Flight Test Centre for out station flight trials was also checked out, the release added.

The Rs 5500 crore LCA project, being developed by the ADA, would replace the IAF's Mig-21 fleet in the near future.

UNI