Maiden flight by 2nd prototype of LCA Tejas' naval variant

NEW DELHI: The second prototype of naval variant of light combat aircraft ( LCA) ' Tejas' today undertook its successful maiden flight with arrested landing and ski-jump take off.

The Naval Prototype (NP2) made its maiden flight at about 12.27 hrs for about 35 minutes, an official statement said.

Piloted by Captain Shivnath Dahiya, an experienced Test Pilot from Indian Navy with the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC), the flight was described by state-run HAL as "significant milestone" in the indigenous carrier borne aircraft development programme.

T Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAL said dedicated efforts of engineers of Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) for the complex landing gear design, which is significantly different from the Air Force version, made this flight possible.

The event marks the growth of indigenous LCA (Navy) programme, aimed to achieve Carrier Compatibility technology demonstration including arrested landing and ski-jump take off, initially from the Shore Based test facility, Goa.

With one trainer and fighter in its stable, "the indigenous carrier borne fighter programme is making headway in acquiring momentum", it said.

The NP2 addresses several systemic deficiencies observed whilst making progress on flight test of Naval Prototype 1.

It incorporates most avionic hardware components promised to Navy.

During design and build, NP 2 has been customised (Plug & Play) to incrementally accept modifications for Carrier Landing aids like Levcon Air Data Computer, Auto-throttle, external and internal Angle of Attack lights.

NP 2 is the lead aircraft for arrestor hook integration, Derby Beyond Visual Range missile and tactical data link.