India`s Tejas LCA makes maiden flight by night

Bangalore, Nov 8 (PTI) India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (L.C.A.) achieved an important milestone when it took to the skies in the night, meeting all its test objectives.

In its maiden flight by night, the Prototype Vehicle-3
aircraft took off at 8:05 pm from Bangalore airport Friday and carried out a set of predetermined manoeuvres to demonstrate its night capability, a Defence Research and Development Organisation (D.R.D.O.) release said.

The aircraft was piloted by Gp Capt N. Tiwari of the
National Flight Test Centre. Wg Cdr R K Dash as the Test
Director along with several senior officers of the Tejas
Programme was 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 (I.O.C.)," 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 Limited supported by
IAF, CEMILAC and DGAQA," it was stated. PTI